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Blue Earth, MN | Above there were a few posts talking about the percentages of "wheel" area covered on various arrangements. Just because one can get that number low doesn't mean it is good. That means the weight from the various passes is now concentrated to a narrower area. That energy from the vehicle passing across the ground has to be displaced into the ground somewhere.
The Mitchell's had some issues with their CTF lanes eroding bad. I don't think we have as much rolling ground up here but I don't want to see the wheel lanes 5 inches deeper than the rest of my field.
I think keeping the combine on duals at 120" (with a 12 row head only) or run tracks is a big must. Same goes for a grain cart, just be smart.
Fertilizer and chemical application is another issue. We need high efficiency fertilizers and efficient application equipment with CTF. We can't be hauling dead weight across the field. Some self propelled sprayers have a lot of dead weight. WE struggled with our Rogator wheel lanes. They made grain cart passes a non issue. The Pluribus struggled with the Rogator lanes and the Gladiator did a little better in terms of fracture but the wheel lanes were still noticable. The issue was weight distribution. When going across the field, I'd bet the rear wheels had 70-75% of the weight on them causing some major point loading. Deere sprayers are just as bad IMHO. The only self propelled sprayer we will ever own is a Hagie if we go back to a self propelled.
We are moving two tractors to 120" spacing for planting, spraying (pull type now), pre-plant N application, and side dress. The fertilizer applications will have a Montag Cart behind with a tank on it.
One more thing, we need to keep our heavy draft loads down if we reduce our footprint. That is why with a knife type unit I really like the strip 8 plant 16 (or even 24). If we try and go 12 row knife strip till unit with 2 tracks, I think we are pushing the envelope with the additional energy being transmitted to the ground. I'd stay with a wheeled machine and duals. Then spring, go with singles on 120" to prevent pinch row. With the Pluribus, the draft loads are significantly less so the width can increased. | |
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CTF/CSP ??
