Which Delmade Subsoiler / Deep Ripper is best for me?
Nov 13, 2024 Posted by Sarah Morrall

Which Subsoiler / Deep Ripper is best for me?
Subsoiling offers a range of benefits, from breaking up compacted soil layers (plough pan) to improving root access to nutrients and optimising water retention and drainage in your paddocks. If you’ve decided to invest in a subsoiler, this guide will walk you through its key features and how they work, helping you better understand the Delmade range.
Still unsure if subsoiling is right for your farm? Check out our article on the science and benefits behind subsoiling to see if it’s the solution your soil needs.
Horsepower
There are a few things to consider when you are working at subsoil depth in compacted ground. Firstly, you are going to face resistance, so you are going to need to need a tough well built machine and to ensure your tractor has sufficient horsepower to it through the soil effectively. As with all of our recommendations, it's for a general rule of thumb and requires a dose of common sense but somewhere around 12 – 13 hp per tine is ideal.
Models – Shear Bolt vs Spring Release
Because of this resistance faced when working at depth, Delmade has spent a considerable amount of time developing out the frame design and tine assemblies. You can purchase either a Shear Bolt or Spring Release option from Delmade. Both are highly functional, but the main benefit of the Spring Release unit is its ability to perform well in harsher conditions i.e. rocks.
A Shear Bolt Subsoiler relies on the main assembly bolt sheering off under extreme pressure to protect the tine and mainframe from damage. Whereas the Spring Release Subsoiler relies on the flexibility of the springs to move tines back and up to get over the obstruction. The Delmade Spring Release Subsoiler has an impressive capacity to withstand 365kg of breakout pressure. This means if you encounter a rock or root in the ground the spring will allow the tine to move back rather than break allowing the operator more time to adjust to the object before any damage is done.
Due to the pressure on the machine Delmade constructs their Subsoiler frames from 100x100 SHS and offers depth wheels to help you to control how deep your machine pulls into the soil – These depth wheels are standard unless the machine is ordered with a crumble roller - as they aren’t required with a crumbler roller because the roller will perform this depth control function when fitted.
Working Widths
Delmade Subsoilers range from a 3 tine as the smallest offering through to 5, 7, 9 and 11 and the widest of the range being the 13 tine. In recent years the 11 tine narrow has also been added to the range to offer a transport friendly version of the 11 tine machine. The narrow has a spacing of 320mm instead of the 355mm on standard models. This means the machine is under the legal road transport width in most areas. (Always double check with a local government agency as rules differ from state to state).
Tines | 3 Tine | 5 Tine | 7 Tine | 9 Tine | 11 Tine (Narrow) | 11 Tine | 13 Tine |
Code | DSS0915 | DSS0920 | DSS0925 | DSS9300 | DSS0935N | DSS0935 | DSS9440 |
Working Width (m) | 1.05 | 1.75 | 2.45 | 3.15 | 3.52 | 3.82 | 4.55 |
Transport Width (m) | 1.27 | 1.97 | 2.67 | 3.37 | 3.44 | 4.06 | 4.77 |
Weight (kg) | - | 770 | 1010 | 1245 | 1560 | 1560 | 1875 |
Hp | 50 | 65 | 90 | 115 | 140 | 140 | 165 |
Roller (kg) | - | - | 360 | 430 | 540 | 540 | 640 |
Connection | Cat II | Cat II | Cat II | Cat II | Cat II / III | Cat II / III | Cat II / III |
Options/Extras
Crumbler Roller + Coulter Kit
There are optional extras available across the range to suit differing needs. Coulters for the front of the unit which are particularly useful in pasture or cover cropping situation where the underground effect is important but must be achieved with minimal above ground disturbance. We can also offer the option of a manual or hydraulic crumble roller, which assist in breaking up clods left behind and help with depth control.
Points
The subsoiler runs pin on points as standard and there are four options available in terms of the strength you require from your points. The level of hardness of the steel the point is manufactured out of differs with each option. Options are:
- Standard Point
- Fabricated Stone Point
- TACA Hard Facing
- Standard Point with TACA Hard Facing
- Fabricated Stone Point with TACA Hard Facing
Standard Point - Perfect for most applications with smaller operations with low/medium use where the soil isn’t particularly abrasive (sandy) or rocky.
Fabricated Stone Point - Well suited to conditions where rock is likely to be found regularly, made of harder steel than the standard point.
Both the Standard Point and Fabricated Stone Point can be optioned with a TACA Hard Facing.
TACA coating is a process where fragments of tungsten are implanted by welding into the surface of the point. This improves their wearing capacity, protecting against, abrasion, friction, heat, corrosion and impact. TACA Points are a longer life option and also great for more abrasive soil.
Standard Point with TACA Hard Facing – A point for heavy going in abrasive or corrosive soils. Ideal for contractors who are doing the big miles with their Subsoiler.
Fabricated Stone Point with TACA Hard Facing – A point for heavy going with stone/rock in abrasive or corrosive soils . Ideal for contractors who are doing the big miles with their Subsoiler in stoney ground.
Wings
You can also add wings to your tines, these wings increase the shattering effect underground and widen the impacted area of each tine. Wings will increase horsepower requirements and often it is preferred to put these on the back row of tines so that drag is decreased as the wings are passing through a pre-ripped channel.
So what’s next....
If a subsoiler sounds like something that could benefit your operations have a chat to your agricultural advisor to make sure it’s the right option for your soil type and production goals and then get in touch with the Delmade team via either a web enquiry or us a call today to find out more.
If you would like any further information on subsoiler units and their features and sizing head over and check out our video content in the learning centre Click Here - Learning Centre or follow the link Click Here - Subsoiler to our subsoiler web page for information and brochures.