A new feature promises to boost popularity of the Lubbock Vibrating Plow. The new-style tillage tool, first introduced in Southern states, is now moving into the Midwest and West in a big way.

"We're now equipping it with a new 3-pt. oscillating hitch especially designed for Cat. II and III tractors using either a quick hitch or standard hitch," explains Bob Rogers, president.

The plow's vibration mechanism, driven off the tractor pto, features a patented dual eccentric counter balanced rotor system which acts as a balanced flywheel. As it turns, it causes the entire implement to vibrate. The machine is bolted together rather than welded to withstand the vibrations.

"The plow's most important feature is that it breaks up the hardpan, yet leaves the soil relatively undisturbed. It doesn't turn up a lot of big clods, as does a conventional static chisel plow, thus reducing the number of trips required to prepare the seedbed," explains Rogers.

The standard assembly is made up of 5 to 9 ripper shanks set from 20 to 36 in. apart. During operation, the gauge wheels can be set to allow the rippers to penetrate the soil 10 to 22 in. in depth.

Rogers cites the following example to illustrate the advantage of the vibration feature:

"If hard, brittle soil and tractor power conditions limited a static ripper plow to a maximum of 5 rippers set 20 in., apart, the plow would cover a width of 100 in. behind the tractor. Plowing at 4.5 mph for 10 hours, approximately 45 acres would be covered.

"Using the vibrating plow under the same conditions, the 5 rippers can be placed up to 36 in. apart, covering 180 in. in width behind the plow. At the same speed of 4.5 mph for 10 hours, the farmer can cover 8 acres. This is an 80% increase in coverage, and up to 40% savings in fuel."

Used on rangeland, the vibrating plow makes it possible for cattlemen to deep plow, reseed and fertilize in a single operation. At the same time, the vibrating action can check erosion by transforming gullies and hillsides into permeable 'sponges' that absorb runoff from rains," says Rogers. In many cases, because of increased water penetration, contour plowing isn't necessary. In higher rainfall areas, vibrating action allows water to drain away, often eliminating the need for expensive tilling of fields," Rogers points out. Pull-type models of the vibrating plow, equipped with standard 30-in., long rippers (36-in. rippers optional) are available with 3 to 21 rippers. Standard 3-pt. hitch models are available with 5, 7 or 9 rippers.