we recently switched from a hay king chisel type renovator to an aerway. our reason for the change being that the hay king pulled up too many flint rocks and made running disc cutters a nightmare. we now are having problems with our black dirt balling up the aerway renovator. any advice on which machine is best for hay field renovation in the Blackland Prairie? will we have to run the aerway only in excessively dry periods???? got alot of money in this machine, give me yalls input....

I myself use a Hay King Chisel renovator. It's been modified so that I pump liquid fertilizer into the ground behind each chisel, if I so desire. This hayfield is black gumbo dirt. I'd like to know more about your Aerway renovator. Got any pictures?

You mention the dirt balling up. Does this mean "mud?" You can have too much moisture in the ground when aerating. In fact, this can cause compaction in itself. Basically a smearing effect in the soil (Both Vertically and horizontally, considered a plow pan layer)

Sometimes, it would be best if the "axle" of an aerway could be slightly raised above the ground. Basically, a depth control, as would be done with a set of tires. This may or may not work in your situation.

Two other options. 1)Only other aerator product would be a Lawson. These however are expensive, and may have its own problems in the heavy soil. That's the one drawback of that fertile blackland.

2) Do consider the more biological approach. The more organic matter in your soil, the better soil, water and plant relation. Organic matter adds to soil tilth and improves the soil aggregate structure. Also, winter annuals (i.e clovers, medics, even perennial chickory) have a root structure that can often fracture a plow pan layer. Regardless of this scenario, winter legumes do add organic matter and increase the corresponding nitrogen supply in the soil through a process called nitrogen fixation.

Hope this helps,

Nathan (Parker Seed: La Vernia, TX)
830-779-9987