Too Wet to V Rip??

super99 · Nov 9, 2014

I have about 2 acres of wet areas that I try to v rip in the fall to help the water get away. I have an old 9 shank V ripper that I bought and cut down to 5 shanks and then I take 2 off so it is 3 shanks. I pull it just as deep as I can get it into the ground behind my 1850. I tried it this late afternoon, it might be too wet to rip. I'm not pulling up mud, but it ain't far from it. When I have did this in the past years, I bring up big chunks of dirt, this year I am making a slot in the ground. Will I cause problems if I rip it too wet?? Thanks, Chris

coonie minnie · Nov 9, 2014

Yes.

Have you considered drain tile?

super99 · Nov 9, 2014

In order to tile this area, I would have to go across 2 neighbors farms, at least 1/4 mile. This is the lowest area of the farms on all 4 sides. Thanks for the reply, Chris

JD Seller · Nov 9, 2014

IF you rip it too wet you will just cut slots in the dirt and smear the sidewalls. This smearing actually seals the sides of the slot. This makes the water not be able to move as easy as it should.

Also three shanks on an Oliver 1850 is too many for a good job of DEEP ripping. I would take them all of but one for draining this wet spot. I would back up into the wet area and drive towards where you want/think the water will go. Do not rip it like the field is shaped. Rip it like you where running a ditch/tile.

tomNE · Nov 9, 2014

I usually dig with a post hole digger and fill the hole with sand!

fixerupper · Nov 9, 2014

Are you absolutely sure there is no tile in there? A few years ago put my five shank ripper behind a 220 horse four wheel drive tractor and sank it down 17 inches in very tight black soil. It loosened it up alright but next spring I found wash in holes every 30 inches where the V ripper knocked the top off a shallow tile. It was rented land so replacing the tile was on my dime.

super99 · Nov 10, 2014

Grandad & Grandma bought this place in 1945 after their son was killed in the war. I asked him about tiling it years ago, he said he refused to pay for tile across someone elses land. 3 pipelines run across this area of the farm, I know there is no tile there. I can pull 3 shanks OK, just need a lot more weight on the front end. I run as deep as the lift arms will let it go, drag trash when I turn around. Go slow so when it picks up the front of the tractor I can play with the 3 point to try to bring her back down. Sometimes have to stop and back up to raise the ripper and get the front end back down on the ground. Thanks, Chris

David G · Nov 10, 2014

Good area for wetland, might want to put in a shallow pond with sloped sides.

Geo-TH,In · Nov 10, 2014

My dad farmed clay soil. He had a sub-soiler device he pulled behind the Ford 6000. It was just one heavy metal blade, looked like the cutting edge on a log splitter, that went about 2-3 ft deep. If you went through a wet place with water standing, it was like you pulled the drain plug on a tub. One blade was all the 6000 could handle to break up the sub-soil.

Too Wet to V Rip??

super99

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coonie minnie

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super99

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JD Seller

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tomNE

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fixerupper

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super99

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David G

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Geo-TH,In

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