Subsoiler Breaks Up Hardpan, Yet Leaves Field Smooth

Subsoiler Breaks Up Hardpan Yet Leaves Field Smooth SUBSOILERS “It breaks up compaction without digging up the soil too much leaving the field smooth ” says Sid Patterson Hepson Equipment Inc Brandon Man about his company’s new “Sumo” subsoiler He recently began importing the subsoiler from England and is the only North American distributor “We brought in the first models last fall and demonstrated them for area farmers under a variety of field conditions We found they did a great job no matter the soil type ” According to Patterson the new tillage implement works totally different from other subsoilers on the market “Most rippers built in North America have a forward slope and a parabolic tine that often brings clay subsoil to the surface The design of the Sumo subsoiler’s shanks lifts and breaks the hardpan without mixing ” he says “If you use the Sumo subsoiler during the fall you’re ready for one-pass seeding the next spring ” The machine’s most unusual engineering feature is its central backbone frame The frame runs front to rear down the middle of the machine forming a rigid spine that carries the entire stress load “The backbone is strong enough that Sumo put a hitch at the back so the operator can pull a drill or other applicator ” says Patterson The rig is equipped with a pair of steel gauge wheels on front followed by a series of shanks and a large 2-ft dia steel roller that runs the full width of the machine to pack the ground The machine rides on a pair of large 600/50 R 22 5 transport wheels on back There are 8 hydraulic cylinders on the machine – 4 to raise and lower the wings 2 to raise and lower the gauge wheels and 2 to raise and lower the front end of the machine “The shanks are equipped with forward-mounted points that crack the soil profile ahead of each shank and lift and break the hardpan ” says Patterson “The points open a slot for the shank leg to run in reducing the amount of energy required to pull the implement through the field ” Shank depth is controlled hydraulically with adjustable trip-out shanks Nitrogen accumulators attached to hydraulic cylinders allow the shanks to trip over big rocks “You can lock in the amount of pressure you want on the nitrogen accumulators by using locking taps ” says Patterson The steel gauge wheels are hydraulically adjustable “The gauge wheels are necessary because with a folding rig like this there’s a tremendous amount of suck on the shanks and you need something to keep the implement’s wings from sucking too deep into the ground The gauge wheels also assist in pulling the shanks out of the ground ” says Patterson The roller breaks up clods and levels the field Roller pressure can be adjusted by changing the position of a steel pin “The roller leaves the ground reasonably compact but doesn’t contribute to compaction ” says Patterson “It only firms up the top 3 or 4 in which gives you a solid surface to work on the next spring If you dig down with a spade you’ll see the soil below is nice and loose as deep as you want to dig This spring I was able to drive over Sumo subsoiled fields with my 1/2-ton pickup which would have been impossible if I had used a conventional subsoiler because it would leave the field loose ” Patterson currently offers the Sumo in 7 and 9-shank models The 7-shank unit has a working width of 15 ft and requires 350 hp It sells for $68 000 The 9-shank unit has a working width of 18 ft and requires 450 hp It sells for $75 000 “We also plan to offer an 11-leg machine ” says Patterson who adds that he plans to start selling the Sumo in the U S soon Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Sid Patterson Hepson Equipment Inc Site 520 Box 66 Brandon Man Canada R7A 5Y5 ph 204 727-1050; sid@hepson ca; www hepson ca

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