LifeTrac implements

Equipment for raised beds in permaculture farm

Subsoil Blade Attachment for Single Spade Plow

Current Version

File:Subsoilplough.skp

Design Rationale

A 3"x6"x1/4" tube that is 48" long is welded to a 12"x48"x1/2" plate fitted to the quick attach plate for LifeTrac. There are two eye plates welded to the tube and match up with the eye plates on the quick attach plate. There are shank modules attached to the tube by 3/4" shaft used as pins, running through the tube as well as two plates sandwiched around the tube and welded to the shank. The shanks run 6" into the ground, and have a blade made of 1/2" angle with a piece of rebar welded down the center of the blade to push soil away to the sides of the shank. The dimensions of the shanks are 1"x3" and are 16" long. The are long enough to go 6" deep, while leaving a gap for soil to be pushed up and not get in the way of the quick attach plate.

Subsoil keyline plowing cuts narrow, deep ruts in the soil to allow for water to easily penetrate the soil. Additionally, it shatters compacted soil without turning it over, allowing for additional water penetration. It aids in preventing soil erosion and increasing the soil's water storage capacity.

More on Keyline Subsoil Plowing

Here are some industry standard subsoil blades:

Bunyip Slipper Imp by Ken Yeomans

• Give more available water in profile in times of severe heat stress and help lengthen the watering time pattern.
• Help prevent scald because less water lays on top.
• slows down water rate and increases penetration on sloping banks.
• Gives a 4-6" profile for super phosphate to work on thus increasing its returns to the grasses.
• Allows more water to be under the root system thus drawing the roots down.
• Tests show new roots deeper in the subsoil.
• Deeper and longer roots means you have healthier grasses

Features:

• Rigid tynes
• Spring release tynes
• Adjustable coulters
• Variable depth control
• Minimum surface disturbance
• 7 tynes requires about 50 horsepower