TSC Subsoiler Modification

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

OK so I purchased this Subsoiler from my local TSC because they had one on the lot and I liked the beefy design. Well I get it home and put it on my B2601 and it's so tall that even full up position on the 3 point, I can't level it out with the top link (ie...it's still dragging the ground!)

I had planned on making this a combo implement anyway by welding on a 2" receiver hitch so I decided to chop the 3/4" plate steel "backbone" of the subsoiler down just enough to allow me to drive around safely with it in the full up position when I'm using it as a subsoiler. As a bonus with my modification, I can remove the foot and plate doublers all together for extra ground clearance and not have to worry about it catching on anything during normal tractor operations, which is the majority of the time.

After measuring 4-6 times and triple-checking everything, I decided to make the cut!
Then notched out the receiver tube for fitting over the 3/4" spine.

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

Fitting receiver and marking area's for paint removal..

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

Getting her welded up all around with top and bottom 1/4" gussets...

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

After notching the two 3/4" doublers with my torch, I clamped them in place and popped some pilot holes....

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

Next I made the removal cut from the spine (I think it was right at 5")....

I clamped it in place and drilled 4 additional holes for it and then took all seven up to 1/2" diameter.

In full up position I have right at 4" of ground clearance now but still have adequate digging depth.

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

I didn't take any close up pics of it completed

.....but I did get to put it to work yesterday before the rains came to continue my drain line project.

The subsoiler worked great in 4wd Low breaking up hard GA red clay to make my front end loader's job cake scooping out the busted up soil....

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

I was backfilling and compacting when my load of fill dirt arrived about the same time the rain came so I had to tarp the dirt and shut her down for the day.

I should add that this project stemmed from another project.....
A concrete pad addition I had poured disrupted two drain lines so they had to be relocated.

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

I also wanted to add that during this subsoiler mod I debated on whether to convert it to a shear type design but after researching it more with tractors of my size, ultimately decided against it as I would have had to use less fasteners and have some slightly loose to allow pivot upon shearing. That, I felt, would have contributed to quicker wear, more sloppy movement of implement, and a weaker design.

I will always be in 4 Lo at a very slow speed, doing multiple depth passes, and from everything I've researched, the tractor will just stop and spin tires on a major obstruction.

It worked great as is and felt super strong and I have the 2" receiver hitch as an added bonus.

Lil Foot · Jul 3, 2015

Great modification & great write up!

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

Lil Foot said:
Great modification & great write up!

Thanks. The rain outside allowed me time to put it together otherwise I'd be outside running the Kubota!!!

coachgeo · Jul 3, 2015

Did you entertain the idea of using a male hitch tube and make the Subsoiler slide into the receiver hitch? Especially since you decided against a Shear Pin. Course then the Subsoiler mod. may have made it to short in length that way.

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

coachgeo said:
Did you entertain the idea of using a male hitch tube and make the Subsoiler slide into the receiver hitch? Especially since you decided against a Shear Pin. Course then the Subsoiler mod. may have made it to short in length that way.

I did not. I didn't have a receiver hitch implement (or trailer mover as some call it) to begin with and figured I could have one less implement welding a 2" receiver tube on this subsoiler I had already bought. Besides, I think most subsoilers are of the 3 point hitch design anyway.

Seeing how not all subsoiler's have a shear design and this one did not originally, and from what I've researched about them, I felt fine not having a shear pin on this one I modified.

I am however going to convert my tow behind plug aerator to a receiver type to slide into this implement as I like the idea of being able to lift it as needed crossing hard surfaces (or surfaces I don't want to aerate) and of course to vary the down pressure applied while aerating.

Tooljunkie · Jul 3, 2015

Weld 2 more tubes towards the outside, and a couple square tubes to use as forks. I have three reciever tubes on something like yours, it rarely comes off the tractor. I think i could build a subsoiler to plug in to the reciever.that is an excellent mod, to make a dual purpose implement.

Daren Todd · Jul 3, 2015

Ya'll have definitely given me some ideas for mine. A reciever hitch is gonna be a must on the upgrades

Great ideas and a great build

atljetmech · Jul 3, 2015

Tooljunkie said:
Weld 2 more tubes towards the outside, and a couple square tubes to use as forks. I have three reciever tubes on something like yours, it rarely comes off the tractor. I think i could build a subsoiler to plug in to the reciever.that is an excellent mod, to make a dual purpose implement.

That's a great idea and one I may add at a later date. Some strong forks out back would be useful at times. Seem's it would also be handy to store a couple more hitch options on board (such as a pintle and D-ring shackle).
This implement, like yours, will remain on my 3 point the majority of the time and with the foot and doublers removed, I have plenty of ground clearance even in full down position.

I love multi use items/equipment!

Oh and sorry for the wrong category and thanks for moving the thread to whomever!

coachgeo · Jul 3, 2015

atljetmech said:
....Oh and sorry for the wrong category and thanks for moving the thread to whomever!

It was a catch 22. Could have gone either way. This is obviously Implement related/informative...... yet fabrication heavy as well. Thus made it best of both worlds and left a permanent redirect in the Implement section which brings folk who click it, over to here

North Idaho Wolfman · Jul 3, 2015

atljetmech said:
I am however going to convert my tow behind plug aerator to a receiver type to slide into this implement as I like the idea of being able to lift it as needed crossing hard surfaces (or surfaces I don't want to aerate) and of course to vary the down pressure applied while aerating.

You do know that a three point does not exert any down force, the only force it has is on lift.

atljetmech · Jul 4, 2015

North Idaho Wolfman said:
You do know that a three point does not exert any down force, the only force it has is on lift.

Nice catch and yes I do recall that but wasn't thinking that!

I should have said "amount of depth" while aerating....

Good on ya for catching that sir!

atljetmech · Jul 8, 2015

Just a quick update to add a few more pics since I didn't get any of the finished assembly.

I'm gonna wire wheel it all down and give it a couple coats of paint. I need to get by my dealer and see what they offer (and how much $$) for factory paint color in spray can's. I think it would look good in say......ORANGE!

Unless someone here has sourced a good matching paint elsewhere.....

coachgeo · Jul 8, 2015

atljetmech said:
...Unless someone here has sourced a good matching paint elsewhere.....

Here is one thread on Paint

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20379&highlight=Paint

There are TON of threads with mentions on Paint. Try search in here for [ Paint Orange Kubota ] Unfortunately you can't search by RAL. Several have listed the RAL number in here. There is a recent thread on paint that should be on the top page of Service section right now. Been mention of a Kubota orange paint from TSC too.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/Kubota Orange Paint

TSC Subsoiler Modification

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