Cultimulcher for market garden farmer? Also New vs. Old philosophy

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  • January 17, 2013 at 9:42 pm #44414
    Riverbound
    Participant

    My wish list for equipment is getting a little out of control, but I’m feeling like I’ve earned it. Anyone have experience with a “cultimulcher”? I’m looking at one from Shipshe. A gang of Rolling baskets followed by four rows of spring teeth then one more gang of baskets. Lever for teeth and seat on top. What I’m wondering is in what condition does it leave the soil, as in seed bed preparation? It seems like a dandy tool. I’ve got a spring tooth harrow, also a spike tooth with harrow cart (old one, not Pioneer), but would like to speed up operation, if possible. Anyone have anything to offer me as far that goes? Words of advice as far as seed bed preparation in general, too.

    Just to put it out there, I’m also looking at the Pioneer foot lift sulky, a new disc from Groffdale, an alley mower from E-Z Trail and a high clearance boomless sprayer from IVA. See what I mean about the wish list getting out of control? I’m just starting to believe that I can afford to buy equipment that isn’t half broke. I’d rather maintain than rebuild. And, I’d rather spend more time with my family than time fixing all my antique equipment or building my own. And if that means spending the dough, and employing those craftsman who build the stuff, I’m thinking that is a level of specialization I’m willing to support. Also I’m thinking ease of use, safety and comfort for the horses may all be improved with new equipment, especially given the fact that I’m not an expert in horse equipment. I’ll still have plenty time in the shop, I’m sure. So I invite any thoughts on that as well: the buy new philosophy vs. the make-do, be the ultimate self-reliant farmer guy. Thanks!

    January 17, 2013 at 11:50 pm #76905
    Eli
    Participant

    I used a tractor drawn cultimulcher any time I wasent happy with the seed bed after the field cultivator it always worked for me. We mostly used it when we planted alfalfa or red beets. It’s an awesome tool. I never regretted buying new equipment. Eli

    January 18, 2013 at 1:41 am #76888
    dominiquer60
    Moderator

    I have a 5′ Schipshe Cultimulcher and I Love it. It cannot handle very heavy residue, but I didn’t expect it to. I use it to smooth a seed bed and also to work in cover crop seeds. The 5′ is a nice size for a team. There is a nice range of adjustment, but no matter how much I try I can’t seem to adjust it very deep, but I generally use it lightly anyway.

    January 18, 2013 at 2:37 am #76906
    Eli
    Participant

    On the tractor size ones half of the teeth are removed to accommodate minimum tillage. Basically chizel plowed corn stalks. Eli

    January 18, 2013 at 4:00 pm #76893
    blue80
    Participant

    We have a 4 ft. Shipshe with pole, 8ft with yoke only cultimulchers. Maynard is very nice to work with.
    We’ve worked hundred of acres down with ours and they are fantastic, they will leave a bed ready for planting.
    They eliminate the need for a disc, except in heavy trash circumstances and are a stable consistent draft for training horses and teamsters.

    We have also moved the spring tines as needed and added corrugating shovels in the rear to scratch flood irrigation corrugations….

    We had a couple welds break on the 8ft platform because we ordered it with 2 seats which changed the stressors on the top of the platform. Otherwise they are heavy duty units priced right….Be sure to check bolts and nuts often, though Maynard produces with nylox nuts, yeahh!

    When buying HD equipment I recommend we consistently ask the manufacturers to install “pick point hooks” on the balancing points of the equipment. When assembled much of this equipment is very hard to load and unload off trailers and flatbed trucks. Some of mine is damaged as a result.

    It is sure fun to go and help others on their farms, also let people rent/borrow, but lack of ability to chain and load some of this is a shortcoming…..

    January 19, 2013 at 6:44 pm #76884
    near horse
    Participant

    When buying HD equipment I recommend we consistently ask the manufacturers to install “pick point hooks” on the balancing points of the equipment. When assembled much of this equipment is very hard to load and unload off trailers and flatbed trucks. Some of mine is damaged as a result.

    It is sure fun to go and help others on their farms, also let people rent/borrow, but lack of ability to chain and load some of this is a shortcoming…..

    Great point!

    I know of someone who hs a single horse cultimulcher (3′? W) – not a production unit but worked really well for working up beds for their market garden.

    January 19, 2013 at 7:05 pm #76890
    Robert MoonShadow
    Participant

    @near horse 39192 wrote:

    Great point!

    I know of someone who hs a single horse cultimulcher (3′? W) – not a production unit but worked really well for working up beds for their market garden.

    Geoff – You got any details or photos of this? Sounds like it’s about right for what I do w/ me donks.

    January 19, 2013 at 9:31 pm #76897
    Riverbound
    Participant

    Thanks for the input. Makes me feel more confident about the investment.

    January 19, 2013 at 9:33 pm #76898
    Riverbound
    Participant

    I’m planning to use it after plowing and discing, and it sounds like this is exactly what I need. Thanks.

    January 19, 2013 at 9:36 pm #76899
    Riverbound
    Participant

    Did Shipshe accommodate your request for pickpoint hooks? Also, would you say that the machine is capable of working down freshly plowed ground without a discing? That would really be awesome.

    January 19, 2013 at 9:48 pm #76900
    Riverbound
    Participant

    Any thoughts on the other pieces of equipment I’m looking at?
    The new foot lift sulky from pioneer: 14″ Kvernland bottom

    High clearance boomless sprayer from IVA: 45 foot spray width appropriate for organic materials like fish fertilizer, 52″ clearance for driving over grown veggies, two horse set-up.

    An “Alley Mower” from E-Z Trail, which is an in-line one horse 30″ mower that I intend to use to clip cover crop strips that we plant in between our vegetable rows.

    The Pioneer gang mower for mowing the lawn.

    Anybody have experience with any of these? Alternatives? Endorsements?

    Thanks!

    January 20, 2013 at 12:15 am #76904
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Im interested in the alley mower as well, where did you get info on it?

    Jared

    January 20, 2013 at 7:27 am #76885
    near horse
    Participant

    @Robert MoonShadow 39193 wrote:

    Geoff – You got any details or photos of this? Sounds like it’s about right for what I do w/ me donks.

    I do have a couple of pictures on the computer ….. somewhere. I’ll see what I can find.

    Arrrgh. 🙂

    January 21, 2013 at 12:30 am #76886
    near horse
    Participant

    Bump …. for the pirate.

    January 21, 2013 at 1:03 am #76907
    Eli
    Participant

    Now I want to build one. And I don’t have a horse trained to pull it yet. O well I like doing both. Eli

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