Rocks, rocks , rocks, everywhere!

cj in wisconsin · May 3, 2010

Plowed a couple fields a few weeks ago, was gonna plant alfalfa, these fields had corn in them for a few years. Well you guessed it the old auto reset plow pulled every rock on the place up. Been hand picking for a few weeks and still have only about half done. The rest is going back into corn and will pick more rocks out of that field next year. Might be time to look in to a rock picker. anyone know which picker is best or had experience with them, my back can't take much more hand picking and momma can't lift the big ones:>)

Anonymous-0 · May 3, 2010

FIND A GIRLFRIEND WHO CAN LIFT THE HEAVY ONES.

flying belgian · May 3, 2010

I've been picking up rocks on this farm for 50 years. I won't stop for anything smaller then your fist put will pickup the smaller ones if I am stopped for a bigger one. In one 40 acre field this spring I counted the ones I picked up. 144. Yes you read that right. one hundred forty four.

Unruh · May 3, 2010

You mean 144 per acre, don't you? Not on all 40 acres.

Tim(nj) · May 3, 2010

How big are the rocks? Some guys rent big heavy rollers to mash everything down before seeding alfalfa or grass . . . also seen them used for soybeans and peas . . . . If I picked all my rocks on this hill, I think I'd lose 1 foot elevation.

Cas · May 3, 2010

Like flying belgian, I have been picking rocks
in the same fields for 50 years. No end in site.
Ten years ago, I tried out a few different rock
pickers. The best and cheapest is the one that
mounts on the front of a skid steer or front end
loader. It has tines and is basically the shape
of a bucket. I can load FIVE to TEN ton an hour.
Short on money you could probably weld up you
own. My neighbors all have one and we all say
it is so simple. Why didn't we think about it
40 years ago.
E-mail and I can send pictures or call.

brian(MN) · May 3, 2010

Rocks will be around forever. I have an old Melroe rock picker, works great for the larger ones the plow hooked out, beats using a loader. Climbing on and off a tractor gets old real quick. You'll just have to use a gator or something simmular for the small rocks. After seeding, roll it with something to push the remaining rocks back in.
Brian(MN)

JMS/.MN · May 3, 2010

google Harley rock picker- made in central MN. Melroe style (multiple manufacturers)is for larger ones, but a tine fork on a skidloader works faster. Tine buckets are available, work for large and small, if they load. Reversed WD45 loader is great for rocks, cheaper than a skidloader. Another brand similar to the Melroe design has a hyd driven reel in front- that makes it work much better for the small ones. Wagon pictured is one I made for walking the fields- has a theater seat and frame on each side so one can grab the hand rail, step up, and ride for awhile. One bolt holds each side assembly, easy to remove. Hyd hoist for unloading.

4 bottem · May 3, 2010

Welcome to my world ED

Vernon in Ks · May 3, 2010

Those aren"t rocks if your plow can turn them up. Those would be pebbles. A plow here just slids on top of a rock for a few feet then back in the ground. Even if you got it out of the ground no "rock picker" will move it.

OliverGuy · May 3, 2010

To use my best rock pickers, you must learn spanish. Nothing against them, they're the best guys I have.

Ken Macfarlane · May 3, 2010

Must be. I only bother with the basket ball or larger sizes and can get dozens per acre every year and I don't plow! Pry em out with the forks and roll or drag them to the edge. Big ones (over 3000 lbs) get marked and spray painted orange for the next time an escavator is near.

Anonymous-0 · May 3, 2010

It is really hard to beat a degelman rock picker. Used one for years and my back feels just fine.
Bud

cj in wisconsin · May 3, 2010

Just the wrong size, bowling ball size is the most common but they vary up to the size of a VW Bug!

TGIN · May 3, 2010

Put in about 15 a. of alfalfa and OG last week and on the last trip with the cultipacker I straped a cut in half barrel on it for rocks . I only picked up the big ones and the ones that give the cultipacker a good bounce and ended up with a pretty big pile in the back of the truck . I think I spent more time getting off and rock pickin than I did packin !!

MSJ from MN · May 3, 2010

You have some neat ideas.

onefarmer · May 3, 2010

I have 80 acres that has been in the family for over 100 years. It has had the bigger rocks picked every year for that long and they still are more out there every year.

When my son was 10 I had him make a fist and told him to leave any rock that size or smaller. He asked why. I told him they were seed for next years rocks. The next year he believed me.

johndeereman · May 3, 2010

neibor kept breaking plow points got sick of it tried digging it out with loader on tractor couldnt seem to get it so went and got the d9 got it out figure that one rock covered an acre and a half he just kept hitting the very edge of it in one spot big dip in field now where rock used to be

JMS/.MN · May 4, 2010

Thank you, mirror image! I am preparing a folder of 15-20 to send off to a national publication- a few are those that I have posted on these boards, including what is already on the AgrAbility site for handicapped farmers. Not interested in patenting anything like some suggested-just share with those that need it. I enjoy inventing things- I think it is because I am basically lazy and like to find easy ways of doing things. But I work like heck to come up with ideas and make them-or do midnite farming so I can spend more shop time. Being semi-retired gives me more time for that- 30 years dairy farming 24/7/365, raising 6 kids, now- rent out 300 acres, farm a little acreage- life is good, play with 16 old tractors, enjoy 10 8/9 grandkids. Sincerely believe I inherited the mechanical ability from my Father, although my Maternal relatives think it came from their side...never told them the truth- they were well-off, and could hire things done. We had to do it ourselves. BTW- email is open, will gladly share those ideas with you and others.

Anonymous-0 · May 4, 2010

Send her back to the Gym.

MSJ from MN · May 4, 2010

I sent you a pm. I have not sent anyone a pm so i'm not sure if I did it correctly.

Rocks, rocks , rocks, everywhere!

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