Types of Tillage Equipment
Tillage equipment is the go-to for turning soil, breaking down crop residue, and preparing new or old fields for planting. Tilling has been an agricultural practice for centuries, but modern implements have made the process much more efficient, less time consuming and more beneficial for soil health.
Our team at Enlow Tractor Auction understands choosing the best tillage option for your operation can be daunting, so we’ve put together a brief guide of each type of tillage equipment available.
Discs
A disc harrow, more commonly referred to as a disc, is often found being used in the Midwest and plain states. Each disc is made of steel or boron and fixed onto a frame that is dragged behind a tractor. As it’s dragged, the soil is broken and lifted.
The disc can be used in conjunction with other products, such as herbicides or fertilizers, but you should be careful to avoid soil compaction. It’s advised to avoid using a disc when the soil has higher moisture levels.
Plows
An age-old technology, plows are still a great tilling option today. They use blades that create furrows in the soil at varying depths and come in a few different types.
Chisel plows can till at depths between 6 and 8 inches using a row of staggered shanks. The shanks can be individually adjusted to fit the field’s needs. There are also moldboard plows that have wing-like blades covering all of the soil and leaving behind clean-cut furrow lines.
If you need to work at deeper depths, subsoil plows might be a better option. They use tines that can be positioned with a straight or bent leg, known as a paraplow. Used for deep tillage, it creates evenly-spaced slots between 15 and 20 inches deep. These can be beneficial when you’re pressed on time or want to use fewer steps for tilling.
Rippers
Rippers are great if you want a primary tillage tool that limits compaction and helps control soil moisture. The way they work can actually enhance soil conditions and increase yield. Rippers can manage post-harvest crop residue, help conserve soil nutrients, and assist with seed placement.
You can use in-line rippers or disc rippers. Both will help cut and mix crop residue into the soil to help decrease erosion. They increase organic matter and allow moisture to drain more efficiently through the soil. Just like plows, they can be adjusted to your specific needs.
Cultivators
If you’re looking for a less aggressive piece of equipment, cultivators are the option to choose. They work well with medium textured soils that drain well. Cultivators can destroy weeds after plowing, can also be used for shallow tilling, and as a secondary tillage tool.
Cultivators also come in various sizes, so they can be utilized for large operations or in home gardens.
Tillage options will vary for every operation, but hopefully this guide has helped you decide what might work best for you! We are located in Tulsa, OK, and happily serve the Oklahoma City and Wichita, KS, areas.