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How to determine when rolling baskets should be replaced

Rolling baskets are an essential part of your tillage equipment, playing the vital role in soil finish and field preparation. But how do you know when it is time to replace them? These step-by-step instructions, we will outline the key signs to watch for as well as provide some additional tips to help you maintain the optimal performance of your rolling baskets.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Look for Movement in the Bars 

One of the most noticeable signs that your rolling baskets are reaching the end of their lifespan is if you can wiggle one of the bars in the middle of the basket.  Over time, repeated contact with soil causes the metal bars to wear down, becoming thinner and eventually loosening. 

2. Check for Metal Wear 

The constant contact with soil and debris can cause the metal on your rolling baskets to wear down. If you notice that the bars are thinning, it may be time to replace them.

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Field Talk Friday | Dr. John Murphy | Root Exudates, Soil Biology, and How Plants Recruit Microbes

Most of us spend our time managing what we can see above ground—plant height, leaf color, stand counts, and yield potential. But the deeper you dig into agronomy, the more you realize that some of the most important processes driving crop performance are happening just millimeters below the surface.

In this episode of Field Talk Friday, Dr. John Murphy continues the soil biology series by diving into one of the most fascinating topics in modern agronomy: root exudates and the role they play in shaping the microbial world around plant roots.

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