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JMS/.MN 12-16-2012 21:36:54 209.237.125.241 Report to Moderator	I built a rubber tire (truck tire) packer to use behind the grain drill, and made it so I could add water for extra weight. That was before field rollers. Rollers are made of thick steel (up to 5/8 inch wall), some maybe over 3 ft diameter, so no added weight. Heavy ones can easily run 35 grand or more, depending on width. They do an excellent job of pushing down rock so the flex bean header cuts way closer at harvest time. My renter tried rolling some corn fields before planting- normally bean fields are rolled after planting. If beans are just emerging, only a bit of damage is done. But it's always a judgment call when done that late. Heck, we've tiled (tile plow, not trencher) when beans were coming through, and saw almost no damage. dboll mentions erosion....yes, it can happen, (had it years ago behind a Brillion seeder), we had heavy rains in June and saw some erosion, but overall, I'll stay with the roller. I'm on relatively flat ground....rolling hills? that would have to be re-evaluated. Like everything else in farming...no one size, machine, practice, etc.- fits all. [Reply]   [No Email]
dboll 12-17-2012 05:21:22 209.23.168.49 Report to Moderator	Re: Somebody please explain land rollers to me in reply to JMS/.MN, 12-16-2012 21:36:54   the last two years the neighbors rolled fields have blew and mine right across the fence doesn't, that and all the corn leaves end up in the ditch and fence lines, both fields were prepared similarily [Reply]  [No Email]
JMS/.MN 12-16-2012 22:04:42 209.237.125.241 Report to Moderator	Re: Somebody please explain land rollers to me in reply to JMS/.MN, 12-16-2012 21:36:54   I guess it should go without saying........if you intend to cultivate the growing crop........You DO NOT use a roller. Cultivating even once just pulls all the squashed rocks back up! ie, chemical weed control needs to work! Rolling fields buys time for those that don't pick rock anymore. Our kids and my better half picked countless rocks....we don't see that anymore in the neighborhood. But, with all those little ones not being picked, I see a preponderance of them showing up down the road. Then we'll need the windrowers and lifters! cuz the humans won't do that! [Reply]  [No Email]