Vertical Tillage Climbs in Popularity

Although tillage is one of the oldest farming activities, vertical tillage is a relatively new concept. Started in the 1970s and ’80s, and officially named in the ’90s, vertical tillage has shown benefits compared with traditional tillage. 

“Vertical tillage is so versatile, and it’s a tool that adapts to many different approaches, which makes it so prevalent,” said Jamie Meier, sales manager for Landoll Farm Equipment. “Vertical-tillage tools solve a problem in a lot of farming operations.”

He said many farmers who practice strip-till use vertical tillage to help break down residue. Also, farmers who use conventional tillage follow their combines with vertical tillage to cut their residue into small pieces before using a disk ripper.

“When you compare a vertical-tillage tool to other implements, it manages residue at a fairly good speed, with minimal horsepower, compared to something like a high-speed disk,” Meier said. 

That versatility makes the market for used implements fairly stable, as farmers practicing several different tillage programs can utilize them. 

“The popular used models, like 18- or 24-foot widths, or those with adjustable gangs are still in high demand because the new ones have gotten more expensive,” said Jay Harris, owner of J.O. Harris Sales in south-central Illinois. “I’m seeing a lot of farmers that prefer to buy a good used one rather than a brand-new one.”

Recent Sales Data

There were 62 recent sales of 2021 and newer vertical-tillage tools on tractorhouse.com as of early January, with an average sale price of $67,276. The low price was a 2022 McFarlane RD4030RB6 in Tennessee, selling for $10,762.50; and the high was a 2021 Salford I2150 in Minnesota, selling for $182,000. 

Of the recent auction sales, 20 were John Deere, 16 were Great Plains, and 9 were Landoll. The remainder were Case IH, Degelman, Kuhn Krause, Mandako, McFarlane, Salford, and Summers models. 

Dealers listed 374 units with the same-year range, showing an average price of $113,315. The highest-priced implement was a 2023 Degelman Pro-Till 41 in Iowa at $272,000, and the lowest was a 2024 Great Plains VT1500 in Arkansas for $15,900.

According to Harris, smaller (18–24-foot) machines are in higher demand and harder to find, but 30-foot or larger widths have a good supply. 

He also said older models, with fixed-gang or straight-blade styles, aren’t selling as well, but straight-blade machines, with narrow spacing, or adjustable-gang machines are in demand, even with a little age on them. 

Wider units (40 feet and greater) generally landed on the higher end of the sales spectrum, along with additional features such as rolling baskets. 

“We sell a lot of cover crop seeders to put on vertical- tillage tools, and that’s helped a lot of our customers see the value because they don’t have to have a drill or have someone aerial apply cover crop seed,” Harris added. 

Looking ahead to this year, Harris said he believes supply and demand for popular models will stay strong, and less popular units will decrease in price to where they become attractive to a wider range of customers. 

“I think these will get to a certain price level, where farmers who have been thinking about buying a second machine or who are on the smaller side will see them as affordable,” he added.

What to Watch For

Harris said the No. 1 thing to watch for in a used vertical-tillage tool is to make sure you’re buying a unit that meets your needs. 

“There’s a lot of machines that look the same,” he said. “Do the research and make sure you’re getting the model that will do what you need it to do. Also, look for a brand with good longevity and that’s easy to work on.”

Landoll’s Meier recommended inspecting the blades, scrapers, tires, and hoses because those items commonly wear down with use. He also reminded potential buyers to examine the transport area to make sure it’s in good working order. 

Blades are generally straightforward to replace, but Harris said they come in a wide range of prices, depending on which manufacturer you go with, or if an aftermarket option is available. 

“If you’re buying an older, cheaper unit, research blade costs and factor that into your decision,” he said. 

He also said that where the unit is coming from makes a difference in how much wear and tear it may have seen. Be sure to look at blades and gang hangers for damage from rocks or certain soil conditions.

“Different machines work better in different soil types,” he said. “Units with chopping reels, for example, may work really well in southern Illinois field conditions but not be as good in central Illinois. A unit might not work in heavy, wet soils, but in places with lighter or better drained soil, it would work great.”