Yields suffer when compaction prevents plant roots from growing freely throughout the soil in search of moisture and nutrients. The Unverferth Zone-Builder® subsoiler lets plants stretch their legs (and their roots) by opening passageways through the hardpan with minimal soil disturbance.
Model 132, 122 & 112 Zone-Builder Subsoiler
Rip through compaction, increase yields and put money in your pocket with the Zone-Builder® Subsoiler. Numerous studies have shown that yields suffer when compaction keeps roots from growing freely in the soil. The straight leg shank design rips through compaction up to 20” deep with minimal surface disturbance, allowing plant roots to reach moisture and nutrients deeper in the soil. Three different models are available with different trip mechanisms including an auto-reset, spring-cushioned and shear-bolt design for varying soil types. Points and wear-bars are heat-treated cast, and the double-frame all-welded construction ensures long-term performance. The Zone-Builder implement is available in sizes ranging from 2- to 16-shanks and can be equipped with different style lead coulters and rear tillage attachments to fit individual preferences. Accessories include a 3-Point Implement Caddy for converting from a 3-point to a pull-type implement, rear-mounted hitch, flex-frame hydraulics depending on model and a lift-assist package to name a few. Long-term university research confirms that deep-tilling with tools such as the Zone-Builder subsoiler will raise both yield and income.
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Frame
Tillage With A Purpose
Models
The Zone-Builder Subsoiler is available in 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-shanks with a rigid frame or 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-, 13- and 16-shanks with a folding frame. Depending on the number of shanks, 24”, 30”, 36”, 38”, 40” and 60” row-spacings are available.
Model 132 features an auto-reset trip design with a heavy-duty pull arm that can trip upward and rearward to avoid obstacles and quickly reset without the need for shear-bolt replacement. Trip pressure of 6,000 lbs. and is typically used in rocky, lighter soils.
Model 122 features a spring-cushioned reset shank and cast-iron shank mounting for increased holding power. Trip pressure of 5,040 lbs. and is typically used in extremely tight and rocky soils.
Model 112 features shear-bolt protected shanks and specially designed shank-mounting brackets for easily accepting rear-mounted strip-builder attachments. Shear-pressure of 7,500 lbs. and is typically used in rock-free fields.
Construction
The heavy-duty, double frame with 6” x 6” rear mounting bar provides years of maximum durability when traveling in and out of the field. The frame is powder-coated in your choice of tractor red or green on all sizes for a long-lasting finish.
Transport lighting and reflective markings are standard on 4-shank and larger Zone-Builder models for safer road travel.
3-Point Hitch
Depending on model, the Zone-Builder has different hitch styles which include 3-point hitch, quick attach hitch and narrow quick attach hitch. When pulling with oscillating 4WD track tractors, choose the optional 3-point implement caddy to reduce side stress on the frame.
Stabilizer Wheels
Stabilizer wheels with 6-bolt hubs provide added stability and tool-free adjustment for quick and convenient depth adjustment in the field. Rigid models utilize 7.60 x 15 8-ply tires, folding models up to 25’ working width utilize 9.5L x 15 8-ply and folding models with 12 to 16 row 30’-40‘ working widths utilizes 12.5L x 15 10-ply tires.
Coulter
Lead Coulter
The lead coulter features a swivel design for 10 degrees of side-to-side movement to follow ground contours and changing terrain. The 20” blade with rippled waves cuts residue with 1,500 lbs. of downforce. On models 132 and 112, the lead coulter features 24” straight blade with 1,500 lbs. of downforce.
6-bolt greaseable hubs with 5 layers of seal protection help ensure long-term, trouble-free use along with patented formed cast mounting clamps ensure that the lead coulter stays straight in the field.
Shank
Shank Features
Shanks on all models feature special-alloy, steep-sloped ¾” shanks that loosen compaction up to 20” deep for shattering hardpan. The recommended pulling requirements are 30-50 HP per shank depending on soil type.
Triangular-shaped, cast and heat-treated, reversible hour-glass shaped wearbars for longer shank life. Replaceable raised-center heat-treated points break hardpan with minimal surface soil disturbance and greater durability.
Attachment Options
Parallel-Link Mounting
All Strip Builder/Zone-Firmer attachments feature parallel-link mounting for consistent operating depth across the field and are width, depth and down-pressure adjustable. All pivot points feature hardened steel bushings for reduced maintenance.
Rolling Harrow Basket
Choose from 15” wide Rolling Harrow basket attachments with lead wavy, notched or concave coulter blades or a full width 16” diameter rolling basket or drum attachment for your Zone Builder. 15”-wide strip builders create a fully tilled and leveled strip of soil ready for planting while the full width basket or cleated drum attachments mulch and level the soil.
Strip Builder
17” wide wavy blade strip builder features two adjustable coulters ideal for preparing rough-textured seedbeds.
Trailing Zone-Firmer
The trailing Zone-Firmer attachment comes in 16” wide with 4 press wheels and choice of lead wavy coulter blades, notched concave coulter blades or smooth concave coulter blades for creating a firmed strip of soil for planting, or lead angled press wheels for sealing the shank’s path and additional firming action. 20” wide trailing Zone-Firmer with 5 press wheels with wavy coulter blades is also available for extra wide seedbed firming.
3-Point Implement Caddy Options
3-Point Caddy
The 3-point implement caddy easily converts nearly any 3-point tillage tool into a pull type implement.
Models
Model 500 implement caddy can carry up to a 9-shank implement and has a total lift capacity of 13,000 lbs. This model is available with IF320/70R x 15 dual tires or 14L x 16.1 14-ply dual tires and 6” x 6” steel axle arms. All-welded 4” x 8” tubular steel frame and CAT 3 lower quick-hitch, auto-latch attachment and top quick link are included.
Model 700 caddy can carry up to a 16-shank implement and has a total lift capacity of 22,000 or 16,000 lbs. depending on tire choice. This model is available with 295/75 x 22.5 dual tires or 385/65 x 22.5 (22,000 lbs. capacity) dual tires and 8” x 8” steel axle arms. Model 700 features parallel lift arms with up to 30” of clearance and an oscillating dual wheel design for enhanced transport safety and weight equalization. All-welded 4” x 10” tubular steel frame and CAT 4 narrow hitch attachment is included.
Hydraulics
All 3-point implement caddy models include an electrical connection at the rear of the caddy for easily hooking up trailing tillage tool. A rear hydraulic connection is optional on model 500 and is standard on 1 SCV for model 700 while optional on 2 and 3.
Tongue
Adjustable tongue height with single-tang hitch allows you to easily match the tractor’s drawbar and the adjustable top link design provides quick and convenient leveling of the attached implement.
Accessories
Shank Protectors
Bolt-on steel shank protectors protect the shank from abrasive soil.
Shatter Wings
7” shatter wings are angle-adjustable from 0-14 degrees for additional lifting and shattering action.
Rear Pull-Through Hitch
The option of adding a rear pull-through hitch is utilized for towing fertilizer carriers. There is also a separate hydraulic hitch height control option.
Flex Hydraulic Package
This package can be added to allow the wings to flex up and down with the ground contours. Packages are available for 8-shank 60” spacing, 10-shank 40” spacing, 12-shank 36”/38”/40” spacing and 16-shank 30” spacing.
Additional Attachments
Fertilizer shank attachments are depth-adjustable for delivering dry or liquid fertilizer and allow the operator to place fertilizer in the row for optimum nutrient uptake. The shank stagger kit offsets the shank by extending it rearward.
The double coulter toolbar attachment allows for additional residue sizing incorporation in between the shank for cutting every 10” across the machine.
The lister attachment adds 10” wide furrow shovels for 30” spacing and 15” shovels for wider spacings that provides economical bedding for a wide variety of applications.
Specifications
| Model Size | H.P. Required | Approximate Weight (lbs.) | Transport Width | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 132 Auto-Reset | Model 122 Spring-Cushioned Reset | Model 112 Shear-Bolt Protected | Stabilizer Wheels Outboard | Stabilizer Wheels Inboard | ||
|
Note: For rigid models with vertical row markers, add 1' 7" to transport width with stabilizer wheels outboard. Transport width of 8-shank is 21'4" when equipped with bi-fold markers. * Stabilizer wheels can be mounted on the ends of the mainframe (outboard) or onto the rear mainframe between the shanks (inboard). Due to continuing improvements in the design and manufacture of Unverferth products, all specifications contained herein are subject to change without notice. |
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| 2-shank | 60-100 | 1610 | 2088 | 1440 | - | 8' 2" |
| 3-shank | 90-150 | 2403 | 2826 | 2167 | - | 8' 2" |
| 4-shank* | 120-200 | 2896 | 3460 | 2568 | 11' 4" | 8' 4 " |
| 5-shank* | 150-250 | 3393 | 4098 | 2983 | 13' 10" | 10' 11" |
| 6-shank* | 180-300 | 4001 | 4847 | 3509 | 16' 6" | 13' 6 " |
| 7-shank* | 210-350 | 4553 | 5540 | 3978 | 19' | 16' |
| 7-shank folding | 210-350 | 5353 | 6340 | 4778 | 16' 5" | - |
| 8-shank* | 240-400 | 5161 | 6289 | 4505 | 21' 6"' | 18' 6" |
| 8-shank folding | 240-400 | 5960 | 7088 | 5260 | 16' | - |
| 9-shank folding | 270-450 | 6530 | 7799 | 5780 | 16' 5" | - |
| 10-shank folding | 300-500 | 7150 | 8560 | 6300 | 16' | - |
| 12-shank folding | 360-600 | 8490 | 10,182 | 7440 | 16' | - |
| 16-shank folding | 480-800 | 11,730 | - | 10,680 | 19' 8" | - |
