(This thread is under construction, it may look disjointed and incomplete until it is totally completed)
Have you always wanted a Cultipacker but couldn't afford to buy one new ? Can't find a good deal on a used one closed enough to home ? Tired of running your ATV or Tractor back and forth over your plot after you plant certain seeds to ensure good soil contact ? Worried a yard roller might not be tough enough ? Need to bust up those soil clods after discing ?
You aren't alone. A forum member posted a thread showing how he had built his own cultipacker from scratch. That thread inspired a number of other members to do the same. This is a summary of the key discussions and designs.
================================================== ====
Materials
Cultipacker Frame - (Detail Data and Measurements to be posted soon)
Axle - 1.75 inch Cold Rolled Steel
Bearings - 1.75 inch Pillow Block Bearings
Link to Ebay Example <-----Click
1.75 ID X 3" Wear Sleeve
Link to Sleeve Example
Cultipacker Wheel - 9 " Wheel , 1.75 inch center from Agri Supply ($8.99 each)
Link to Part <----Click
Flip over Wheels - At least 300#capacity fixed castor wheels
Link to Example at Northern Tools <---Click
================================================== ======
Q&A
Q. Do I have to use Cold Rolled Steel ?
A. Yes, regular pipe is not strong enough.
Q. Where can I get Cold Rolled Steel
A. Any local steel / metal fabricator should carry it or have access to it.
If you have a local Krause dealer its part number of 1750-082-0
Link to Krause
Q. Does the axle actually turn or do the cultipacker wheels turn on the axle ?
A. Both. The wheels turn freely on the axle and the friction from the wheels also turns the axle on the pillow bearings.
Q. How do you install the wheels on the axle ?
A. The packer wheels slide onto the shaft butting up to each other. Install one 3" spacer [wear sleave or bushing]on each end of the shaft for bearing clearance. Then put your pillow block bearings on either end. Make sure to tighten all wheels together (by hand) and close the spacer/bearing gap. Tighten the pillow block bearings set-screws to keep it from coming off and keep the shaft from spinning inside the bearing.
Q. Why notched cultipacker wheels ?
A. Most cast packer wheels will be notched. The notches help turn the wheels when engaged in the dirt.
Q. How many cultipacker wheels will I need ?
A. Depending on how wide you make yours. The approximate number needed is estimated at 5 wheels per foot. (30 Wheels for a 6ft packer)
Q. What duty/grade Pillow Bearings are required ?
A. At least medium duty and make sure they are
Made in the U.S. . On member used the cheaper Made In China bearings and they broke in half on him.
Q. I'd like to read the original thread end to end , where can I find it ?
A.
http://www.qdma.com/forums/showthrea...ht=cultipacker
Building A Homemade Cultipacker
Linear Mode
