Spader

Spaders look like a really smart, 60 yr. old idea (article on spader history here). They do not leave a "hardpan" due to the somewhat random action of the spades. Spaders are very expensive in north America as they are all made in Italy/Holland etc. (see links below). Inventing an open source spader would be a great achievment. They are a one pass type of implement, allowing easy working in of cover crops into the soil. Towing the spader behind LifeTrac would be easy as spaders are not a real load on the tractor/machine. All you need is slow hydrostatic drive, but we have that covered ;) .

Reviews

Spader setup and operation - note 3rd pic down: it's the soil "pulverizer" after the spades. Spades dig first, "pulverizer" breaks up the clods and makes seed bed. Imants use a roller with curved tines instead. Does it all in one operation. Looks almost exactly like your tines on soil pulverizer.

"Product Review: Spaders - These must-have machines help preserve soil structure". At the bottom of that page a reader suggests Imants spaders from Holland: "Imants produces a spader that achieves the same results based on a different mechanical approach". The Imants use circular "arms". They supposedly will leave a hardpan like a tiller (eventually). I'm sure they run smoother/longer though.

Good spader video, shows the Imants final roller with tines. He discusses the mechanism up close. Another Imant in action.

Embedded video is from University of Vermont DVD: Celli spader with "shovels"

External Links

• Manufacturers: Bärtschi-FOBRO AG, Celli, Dröppelmann Agrartechnik GmbH, Falc, Gramegna, Imants, Selvatici, Sicma (Miglianico), Tortella