Posts
73
Joined
4/7/2022
Location
Point Pleasant, NJ, USA
Edited Date/Time
10/12/2022 2:02pm
I have been working on a track build for about 3 seasons now. Its actually come along real nice and has 20 foot lanes with the jumps being 15 foot wide (can only do so much with 2 days on a D3) and a nice outside dozer berm in each of the corners. The track is located about an hour south of broome tioga and resembles the soil of that track and unadilla (in addition to the rocks)
I've learned a pretty good amount about track prep as the years have gone by, but I am always wanting a little bit more. Obviously im not going to be able to simulate the amount of traffic a practice track would get on an average day, however with some moisture in the dirt and a few passes with a PTO rototiller, the ruts start to form pretty well after a few passes. I would like there to be some braking bumps/chop heading into corners in addition to some deeper, longer ruts.
I use a Kubota LA525 with a pto rototiller and while it does a nice job, it loosens up the surface and doesnt do much to the base. I also have an older 3 point cultivator, but even with the teeth set the lowest it doesnt rip super deep and can actually scrape soil off the top if its set too low.
Next season, I would like to invest in a decent cultivator as i believe that would give me the results i want. I also have a 275 gallon water tank and a centrifugal water pump, so I will be able to add moisture even in the middle of summer. What is a good (somewhat affordable) 3 point cultivator and would you recommend getting a spring loaded one? Also what is the order you would use the equipment to prep the track? water, till, rip? Ill attach a few pics of what the dirt looks like and an overhead view. Let me know what you have found to work best. Dont be fooled by the pictures, although there are some pretty good ruts, its more like 2-3" of loam on top of a firmish base
m
I've learned a pretty good amount about track prep as the years have gone by, but I am always wanting a little bit more. Obviously im not going to be able to simulate the amount of traffic a practice track would get on an average day, however with some moisture in the dirt and a few passes with a PTO rototiller, the ruts start to form pretty well after a few passes. I would like there to be some braking bumps/chop heading into corners in addition to some deeper, longer ruts.
I use a Kubota LA525 with a pto rototiller and while it does a nice job, it loosens up the surface and doesnt do much to the base. I also have an older 3 point cultivator, but even with the teeth set the lowest it doesnt rip super deep and can actually scrape soil off the top if its set too low.
Next season, I would like to invest in a decent cultivator as i believe that would give me the results i want. I also have a 275 gallon water tank and a centrifugal water pump, so I will be able to add moisture even in the middle of summer. What is a good (somewhat affordable) 3 point cultivator and would you recommend getting a spring loaded one? Also what is the order you would use the equipment to prep the track? water, till, rip? Ill attach a few pics of what the dirt looks like and an overhead view. Let me know what you have found to work best. Dont be fooled by the pictures, although there are some pretty good ruts, its more like 2-3" of loam on top of a firmish base
m
The dirt looks loose enough, maybe too loose. It looks like the berms will blow out because it is just loose dirt that has gotten pushed to the side on top of the hardpan.
You need more water, a 275 gallon tank isn't going to do it. your land looks pretty flat, that makes it easier. What do you have as a water source? Is that a creek in the tree line?
Find an old fuel truck or even better, an old fire truck. Most have an 800 to1000 gallon tank and they are low mileage and well maintained if you buy from the FD, looks like you could hit all of your track with one side sprayer. if you getone with air brakes you can rig an air valve pretty easily. i bought a bunch from valew welding. all they require is one air line, which closes the valve. water pressure pushes it open.
more water will let you rip deeper, then till, then water a bit more if needed.
You also need to pay attention to the ground underneath. If you plow the same pattern every time, the hard pan will develop grooves in it and if you hit on when your berms get pushed out it is like hitting a wet tree root at an angle. Solution is either cross plow it in the corners or to weave as you plow sometimes, but change the pattern. Best to do this after a rain when the hardpan is softer.
The Shop
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Nobody likes ruts down straightaways, or ruts 10 metres before turns and ten metres after.
And it’s not safe.
i should clarify i really only want the corners to be whats ripped up and watered just for the sake of getting some good lines going
I handle Maschio power harrow to a perfecta style implement.
I’ve sold to Star, Cr22 MotoX , Compound 83 and many more.
Post a reply to: Private track owners/track workers, what is the best piece of equipment/advice you would recommend for track prep?