Types and Uses of Tillage Equipment

Farmers turn to tillage equipment when they need to break and turn the soil. This also buries the previous crop’s residue and gets rid of weeds. Tilling soil has been part of the farming process for centuries, though the implements used have changed considerably. Not only does modern tillage equipment cut the amount of physical labor required, but they’re also designed to have a less negative impact on the soil. 

At Rivera’s Machinery, Inc. we know it can become confusing to select the right tiller when you have so many choices. To help you make a selection, we’ve compiled this short guide to tillage equipment. To check out some quality tillage equipment for sale, visit us at our location in Donna, TX. We welcome all our patrons from Harlingen and San Benito. 

Discs

The disc harrow (also known as simply ‘disc’) is the preferred tillage tool of the Corn Belt. These are rows of carbon steel or boron disc blades that are fixed on a frame. As the disc is dragged, it breaks, lifts and loosens the soil. Usually, one pass with a disc is enough to get the job done. Too much discing and you’ll reduce effective erosion control. 

You can incorporate herbicides and other surface-applied products to a disc. Don’t use a disc harrow when the soil is wet as it compacts the soil and you’ll need additional tilling operations to break that up. When compaction happens at a deeper level, it can restrict root growth and reduce yields in drier years. 

Plows

Plows have been around for ages. They use blades that are drawn through the soil to create furrows. Plows can be used for medium-depth and deep tillage. A chisel plow can till the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches using a row of staggered shanks that can be adjusted according to your needs. A moldboard plow has wing-like blades that cover all the soil leaving behind clean-cut furrow slices.

For greater depths, you can use subsoil plows. These plows have tines that can be straight or have a bent leg (called a paraplow). These are used for deep tillage and leave behind evenly-spaced slots that are 15 to 20 inches in depth. This type of tilling doesn’t usually require other operations and the crops can be planted in the tilled rows directly. 

Rippers

If you’re looking for primary tillage tools that can limit compaction and control moisture, look into rippers. These tillage implements can help to enhance soil conditions and often lead to higher yields. You can use rippers to manage the post-harvest residue and create a soil environment that helps seed placement and conserve the resources necessary for a good harvest. 

You can get disk rippers or in-line rippers for your primary tillage needs. Both will help you cut, size and mix crop residue to control soil erosion and give your higher yields. Rippers help to increase organic matter in the soil, allowing moisture to penetrate faster and improve drainage. Just adjust the settings to get the best results for your fields. 

Cultivators

Those who want less-aggressive primary tillage equipment should check out cultivators. This is a good option for soil that’s medium-textured and well-drained. Since this is a shallow tillage option, it’ll require less fuel, time and labor to get done than other options in this list. Cultivators are also used as secondary tillage tools before spring planting. 

You’ll get field cultivators in various sizes, from ones that can be used in small gardens to ones that can help you take care of large fields. You can use your cultivator to destroy any weeds that cropped up after your primary plowing. Its staggered tines provide clearance so that clods and plant residues can freely pass through. A sweep cultivator has large v-shaped blades that can cut soil up to depths of 12 to 15 cm. 

We hope this guide helps you figure out which tillage equipment will work for you. If you need additional information or you’re ready to check out some quality tillers for sale, come on down to Rivera’s Machinery, Inc. at our location in Donna, TX. If you’re looking for tillage equipment for sale near Harlingen or San Benito, get in touch with us ASAP!