Name of this implement

What is the proper name of the tractor Implement that makes rows (furrows) in the ground for flood irrigating hay fields? Here in Colorado we call it marking the field. The one that I've been using for years is the neighbors and it appears to be home made, only three blades that are sharpened down to nothing and I don't think it will stay together another year of use. So I think it's time to buy one rather then making one. Here is a picture of one I'm thinking of buying for $250.00 The problem I see is that the blades are mounted on springs instead of being mounted rigid as in the neighbors. The seller says it's a John Deere and he calls it a Cultivator bar. Is this what I'm needing for marking? And what is the correct name of this implement? Any advise would be appreciated.

Chris

Hotchkiss, CO

The top frame is likely a 3pt tool bar, used for many things.

The shanks with the wound spring part is very common 'here' only on anhydrous applicators. These need to go pretty deep, with a very narrow knife on the bottom to put anyhdrous 6 inches or deeper into the ground. I know of solid shanks (might be a spring or shear bolt right by the shovel/sweep); C shanks (light ones for field cultivator, heavy suckers for chisel plows), Danish shanks (light springy S shaped), and these wond coil things for anyhdrous applicators.

The sweeps/shovels you have on it (the part that cuts the ground) are very large sweeps, would be quack sweeps around here, likely hiller or some such name in your location. They are bigger than your typical field cultivator or row crop cultivator sweeps, which are often 4-8 inch - yours look huge. Typically chisel plow sweeps are only 2 or 4 inches wide with no 'feet' on them, just a point. So yours are real wide cultivator sweeps, or likely quack digger or some other local nick name.

I'd guess your machine is bolted together from several different sources to do what needs to be done. Around me, nothing comes from the factory looking like that. Perhaps they are a specialized machine & only sold in your climate & region. A hiller, or lister, or bed builder? In my rocks, hills, & mud, we don't use nothing like that. :)

--->Paul

I purchased a green implement identical to yours about five years ago only slightly different setup. Mine is wider with I think 7 tines, three forward and four back? Instead of wide sweeps at the end of the tines, I have narrow sweeps (like spikes). I might replace them someday with wide sweeps because I took two front tines off to use this implement as a row cultivator for my two row corn planter. I have some shields from a different cultivator.

I am told those "spring" tines shown in photo are known as "danish" tines around here. I have another field cultivator with true "spring" tines. the tines are hinged at the bar and have dual heavy duty springs on each tine. Again this implement has spike sweeps not wide sweeps. By the way "springs" break when you go too deep and hit the bedrock.

I use both implements as a poor man's subsitute for a plow. So yes I do pull them across sod to break it up. Yes they can go deep (12") if you adjust your top link and 3pt correctly. I run a disc with drag afterwards to prepare for planting.

Most farmer around here never plow. They run a cultivator implemnt with danish tines up front row(s) and disc(s) in the back and maybe a drag as well. One or two passes over beans/hay and the field is ready for corn planter.

Fleet Farm calls your style by three different names: field cultivator sweeps, row crop sweeps, chisel plow sweeps.

Fleet Farm calls my style: chisel spikes, spring tooth points, cultivator quackers and tooth sweeps.

I think John Deere would have sold this implement as field cultivator to replace a plow. The spacing of tines is too close for row crops like beans unless you went real slow.

We call that a cultivator. Use them to mark fields for planting trees. You set the row width you want and drag it east/west, then north/south. Then plant at every intersection and the whole field is then 8'x8' spacing. Or add tines in one direction to get 4x8 or whatever you want.

Also use one with many more sweeps to cultivate between tree rows to keep down weeds.

Your field has to be worked up, that will not cut sod.

I buy 1 or 2 a year of what you have in your picture, anywhere from $10 to $70 at auctions.

Nobody uses them around here anymore.

Good luck,
Rick

Yes that is a plain old-fashioned John Deere cultivator bar and we over here in Nebraska call it "corrugating" the field.

Also used for roughing up bean ground in the winter so that it won't blow.

I like the Lilliston cultivators fitted with ditchers to do what you're talking about. They can be bought for almost nothing anymore.

Is your fields fairly level? They can be boardered off also and it leaves the field a heck of a lot smoother.

Allan

Chris

Hotchkiss, CO

I've never "redone" a field. Corrugate it good before planting and it is good for the duration of the field usually 5 to 7 years because that alfalfa won�t let the soil �move�.

Yep, splitting the crowns will rejuvenate a tired field of alfalfa.

If your fields are even close to being on the level, boarding is by far the better method.

Allan

Chris

Hotchkiss, CO

I understand the concept of flood irrigation. In FLA we call the pic a cultivator or spring shank cultivator. It is used to mechanically uproot weeds in row crops.

I think what you are after is what we call a ripper. See pic. Mind you this pic is just a humorous response to Allen NE. These rippers or sub-soilers are generally used to break up hard pan allow better root propagation and water absorption.

As an alternative to maintaining the waterways as you described would it be more cost and yield effective to do as they do in AZ. See link below for more information.

They have concrete raceways around cotton and corn fields and fill them with water until the entire field is flooded; generally done in the mornings to prevent evaporation.

I understand that they can recover most of the water for reuse. Not sure of the initial cost and payment terms on capitalized asset or any local water rights issues. However, if fields are in constant production this might be a more effective solution in the long run both in terms of production and population control on the gophers.

FWIW,
ShepFL

• Pasture and Irrigation Management Tips

Are you trying to intimidate Allans red tractors?

How much HP are you turning to pull that?!?!

Another picture like that and Allan might be seeing "green".

I do like the picture. Had to move a big disk one time with a 20hp Kubota. Poor tractor would hardly move it with it up.

Rick