: I think I like Tom's analogy better than my own. It's a lot more fun think about cheerleaders than pizza. Seriously I appreciate the info. I'd never heard of knife coulters.
My Dad was a grain farmer in Minnesota. He still lives on the farm but is retired. As an old timer he can't stand the new way of doing things which is to chisel plow everyting in the fall. Honestly I don't think he can stand seeing all that trash and stubble in the fields all winter. He loves the neat look of a field that has been perfectly turned over by a molboard (SP) plow. Of course he doesnt' want to admit the chisel plow is proven to be better in keeping the soild from eroding etc.Larry
: : : The Coulter wheel "scores" or cuts the ground and plant trash on the ground so that the plow share/lay can make a nice clean furrow when it turns the soil over. Think of it as a pizza cutter so the plow can cleanly pick up the piece of pizza and flop it upside down.
: : : Make Sense?
: : : Larry
: : : : Another question for the experienced farmers out there: : : : : While knocking around at auctions and such looking at plows, I've got to ask -- what's the purpose of a coulter wheel? I know it sounds basic, but Granddaddy didn't explain how it all worked when I used to watch him as a kid. : : : : Thanks! : : : : Jim : : Larry gave a good answer. My Grandad always called them "rolling coulters", I never asked if there were non rolling ones!
: : Dick : Get to a ploughing match and watch the older gents ploughing sod. Some of them might have their ploughs fitted with knife coulters. They are nothing more than a big knife hanging from the beam of the plough and only work in a real old, tight sod, but they are usually as sharp as razors. Some of the others may have jointers or skimmers on their coulters whcih shave a little off the edge of the furrow so absolutely everything gets buried. They can make a beautiful job in a sod but everywhere else they catch every bit of junk and you're plugged about every 10 feet. Kind of like a cheerleader. Neat to watch but hell to fool around with. Tom
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