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Subsoiler in pasture
My pasture has not been plowed in over 30 years. Although Michigan was blessed with alot of rain last year, I was wondering if running a subsoiler across it would help with water/fertilizer retention? Has anyone used a subsoiler for this purpose? Would I be better off to rent a core aerator?
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Subsoiler in pasture
I don't know for sure how much good it does, but since I don't have any cattle or horses, I let a neighbor run his cattle in my pasture and once a year he goes over it with a "chisel plow" which seems to me to do the same thing as a subsoiler; just not quite as deep. The chisels on his plow are 12" apart and when the grass greens up in the Spring, it does look better right down those strips where the chisels ran. So, I'd be inclined to think the subsoiler would be a good idea.
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Subsoiler in pasture
From the pictures I see at various manufacturers, a subsoiler looks like what we call a "middle buster" around here. If I was to design an anchor for a compact tractor it would look a lot like a subsoiler.... 
I'm saying is that you may find it hard to pull. One thing that really lightens up the pulling is o search for the kind of subsoiler that has the tooth mounted to the tool bar in such a way that it can wiggle side to side an inch or so as well as fore and aft.
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Subsoiler in pasture
Roger, there is a considerable difference between the middle busters and subsoilers I've seen. I use a middle buster that's similar to having a doubled 15" moldboard or turning plow. In other words, it turns the soil over both directions instead of just left to right like the turning plow; great for digging potatoes, making "hills" to plant on, or making a pretty wide furrow. And the subsoiler is only about 2" wide, made for loosening the soil without turning it over; and can go much deeper if you have a tractor big enough to pull it. The frame, or toolbar, is almost the same on both (longer shank on the subsoiler), and since I have a relatively small tractor, I don't have a subsoiler, but I sometimes remove the middle buster plow (two bolts) and bolt on a single "chisel plow" chisel point and use it the same as a subsoiler except I can't go as deep.
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Subsoiler in pasture
An aerator will give more of the benefits of water & fertilizer infiltration to the root zone of a grass pasture than a subsoiler. An added benefit will be much less surface disturbance with the aerator, making for easier mowing.
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Subsoiler in pasture
Bird...isn't that amazing. It always brings home to me just how big and diverse our country is. Yes, I know what you are refering to, but that's not how we call them here. Sounds almost like you are describing a ditcher point. What do you call the little 4" double plow point that you sometimes see mounted on the bottom of a spring tooth? Wish I had a picture..
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Subsoiler in pasture
A subsoiler is generally used to break a hard pan layer. Ground is usually tilled 9-12" deep. Below that the ground gets compacted, making it hard for roots or moinsture to get through. A subsoiler is used to breakup this hard pan. Even though its only 2" wide it takes a lot of hp. I don't think most compact tractors are heavy enough to pull one at the depth that is required. As I remember it takes around 50hp/shank.
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Subsoiler in pasture
Sounds like the subsoiler won't hurt anything. Anyone know how far apart should I run the strips? Do I make a crossing pattern? I was afraid that with the ground being hard that I a core aerator would not penetrate very deeply without a bunch of weight. Although doesn't cost too much to rent them so maybe I will do both. My lawn could use some aerating as well. I was hoping to pull a single shank subsoiler with my NH TC40D. Maybe this will give it a workout.
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Subsoiler in pasture
There is a discussion underway here about how a "subsoiler" or "ripper" is constructed. One of the sponsors of this board is Monroe Tuff-Line and there is an ad on the board (at least in the Chat section) showing 3 of the "subsoilers" they offer. The smaller one or 2 shank units could be pulled by compact tractors in many soil conditions. It might require more than one pass with the second being at an angle to the first, but it can be done.
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Subsoiler in pasture
Michigander, a true subsoiler is not intended for pasture renovation. Neither is a chisel plow, though it comes closer if set lightly. Sounds to me like you have old sod bound pasture, but without a field visit too many variables remain. A standard pature renovator or perhaps even a furrow corrugator is probably what you need, else consider wiping the pasture slate clean and starting over with a new pasture seeding. For technical assistance, contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. They are a federal agency who in partnership with local Soil Conservation Districts (SCDs, chaired and ran by private landowners) serve the conservation needs of private landowers. Office personnel vary by county needs, but there should be a pasture specialist in your area who can come out and give you the help only a field visit can produce. If, depending on Congressional funding or SCD monies, there are several programs which can cost-share your pasture renovation if you desire and your ground qualifies. Regardless of programs, it is the NRCS and SCD's missions to serve you in this very way free of charge.
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