What are the dangers of too many passes?

Additional compaction, breakdown of healthy aggregates, soil stratification, and risk of heavy erosion can result from too many passes.

for the Farmer

Q: What soils and conditions does OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage work in?

The modular setup of OPTIMIZER models allows them to be customized to suit most soil types, including rocky soil, heavier soil, and abrasive soils. The OPTIMIZER is not recommended for wet conditions.

Q: At what speed do OPTIMIZER models operate?

Most OPTIMIZER models are designed to run at 5-7 miles per hour. It is important to operate close to this range so that soil lands where it is supposed to and a smooth and level finish is maintained.

Q: How can I purchase an OPTIMIZER?

OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage is sold directly and through dealers. If you feel more comfortable working through your dealer, please request they get in touch with us.

Q: Where are OPTIMIZER products manufactured?

OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage units are designed and built in Tulare, California, home of the World Ag Expo. We are a family-owned business and test and refine our equipment on our own farm.

Q: Is there any financial assistance available for reducing my tillage passes?

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) does offer per-acre funding for reducing tillage passes in some states for purchases of new equipment. Use their calculator to find passes saved.

Q: How much horsepower is required?

For the true one-pass tillage models with chisels, 30 HP/foot is recommended. For one-pass models without chisels, 15+ HP/foot is recommended for 6-7" depth and 11+ HP/foot for 3-4" depth.

Q: What are the benefits of one pass tillage?

OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage results in soil improvement and cost-saving for farmers.

One Pass

for the soil

Save fuel

Save labor

Reduce dust

Improve soil

Increase yields

Reduce fuel and labor by 50%

IS YOUR TILLAGE PROGRAM RUNNING YOU INTO THE GROUND?

The OPTIMIZER is the only one-pass tillage system in the world that offers complete conventional tillage. We designed the OPTIMIZER to lower costs by creating a quality seedbed from the post-harvest state in just one pass.

Now for tractors from 48 to 700 HP

One-pass and reduced-pass models are available for most crop types in open fields, orchards, and vineyards.

Find out which is right for you

Choose your Model

EPA-verified Solution

Proven savings in emissions, time, and fuel compared to conventional tillage:

Reduced fuel by over 50%
Reduce time by over 60%
Reduce PM10 emissions by over 60%

Combined Operations method of deep chisel pass followed by 18-ft-wide OPTIMIZER

About Us

Designed and manufactured in Tulare, California, home of the World Ag Expo, OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage has been a project over 30 years in the making.

"They didn't make what I needed to get the job done right, so I built my own."

Features:

Folding 5-Row model for complete tillage at depths up to 7"

Working Width of 22-ft

(more width options coming soon)

Folds to under 10-ft

Mounts to 3-point hitch

Budget-friendly feature to replace the costly pivoting tongue

For one pass tillage on pre-irrigated land to prepare seedbed for planting.

For one pass tillage after spring grain or silage harvest.

For one pass soil mixing between vegetable crops before rebedding and replanting

For one pass tillage in combination with one chisel pass for deeper compaction issues. Can be used pre- or post-chisel pass.

Only available direct from OPTIMIZER for a limited time

Call for special pricing

You don't want to miss this.

The OPTIMIZER is one of the best economic investments that we have made on our farm. It saved us diesel, labor, and time. With the added bonus of less soil compaction, the OPTIMIZER is a no brainer for the best complete soil tillage tool.

Stephen Maddox, Jr.

Riverdale, CA

The OPTIMIZER represents a real breakthrough in tillage technology and we are most impressed with its results. We are able to eliminate a minimum of five operations by using the OPTIMIZER and in some cases, six. We calculated a cost of just over $30 per acre to run the OPTIMIZER versus a cost of $70 per acre for our standard suite of tillage practices. While we have spent time researching other conservation tillage implements, the OPTIMIZER is the only one that is truly a "one-pass" implement. Not only did we see a tremendous savings in time and fuel, but the reduction of passes eliminated a lot of dust emissions that we see with our standard practices. We have also seen an improvement in soil texture in the fields we use the OPTIMIZER in, and the stand uniformity is excellent. These factors coupled with better soil health, increased yield potential, and a reduction of particulate emissions make the OPTIMIZER an indispensable tool for our operation.

Cannon Michael, VP of Bowles Farming Company, Inc.

Los Banos, CA

We have owned the OPTIMIZER for two full seasons. In that time we have noticed a considerable decrease in fuel, downtime, labor, and additional tractor usage. We have gotten great service and support from Tillage Management, and would recommend this equipment to anyone who wants to improve their bottom line. I could not imagine farming without it ever again.

Paul Nunes

Corcoran, CA

We tried out the OPTIMIZER in 2008 and were impressed enough to purchase. After two years of operation, we understood the value it brought to our farming operation and purchased another. It has without question improved our bottom line with a better end result.

W.L. Goodman & Sons

Dos Palos, CA

For several years I contemplated the purchase of an OPTIMIZER. I penciled and calculated. I traveled to observe an OPTIMIZER in operation. I consulted with local farmers and equipment dealers. No matter what comments I received about the size or cost, the bottom line of the deal is that the OPTIMIZER increases productivity of my farm and reduces my costs. In my first year of using the OPTIMIZER, I estimate that I saved over $50 per acre in tillage practices by eliminating a pass with the stubble disc ($19/acre), a finishing disc ($17/acre), and a tri-plane ($15/acre). There was also less soil compaction, due to fewer trips through the fields, and more moisture in furrows. Because of this I was able to use less seed per acre. Do I think the OPTIMIZER is an asset to my operation? Absolutely. Do I still face opposition from my peers? Absolutely. However, I have been able to use the OPTIMIZER for over 5,000 acres of custom-tillage work, and without exception, wherever I've used it, the growers have realized the value of the OPTIMIZER.

ARP Family Farms

Casa Grande, AZ

What is OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage?

The OPTIMIZER is a complete replacement for traditional tillage methods. Combining all necessary implements into one unit leaves a finished field without the soil compaction caused by multiple passes of tractors and implements. The modular design and interchangeable implements allow farmers to customize their setup to best suit their soil and crop type or swap implements on their own as necessary.

OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage tools are made for hundreds of thousands of acres, with features such as:

Heavy-duty design for a frame made to withstand heavy use. The OPTIMIZER is ready to run when you are.
Long wear part lifetimes that keep your cost-per-acre to a minimum. Order replacement wear parts shipped directly to your farm.
Low-maintenance parts (including maintenance-free bearings) keep service labor to a bare minimum so you can keep running. Disk blades are independently mounted to their own bearing, so no need to drop the whole gang to change one blade or bearing.
OPTIMIZER custom implement bearings are assembled in-house and designed for 10,000+ acres of maintenance-free usage.
Simple setup, operation, and maintenance features help farmers avoid expensive service visits over years and years of use.

Available through dealers

Available direct

What are the benefits of one pass tillage?

Soil Benefits

Every pass over a field compacts the soil, reducing the flow of water, air, and nutrients and limiting crop root growth. Passes also break up healthy soil structure and dry out the soil. When farming impact outweighs natural soil resilience, mechanical tillage is usually required.

With OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage, organic residue on the surface is inverted and incorporated into the soil, the traffic pan layer Is broken up, and the topsoil layer is smoothed for a moisture-saving finish. This leaves soil more evenly mixed throughout the entire working depth, reduces dust from fine particles, and results in increased yields of up to 10% or more.

By reducing tillage passes, farmers also reduce unnecessary compaction created during the tillage process.

Dangers of Too Many Passes

Conventional tillage using multiple passes often has detrimental effects on the soil, including:

Additional compaction from down-pressure plows and EVERY tractor pass.
Breakdown of healthy aggregates (clusters of sand, silt, and clay held together by organic matter, microbes, and fungi) crucial for plant health.
Soil stratification (soil layering with the finest particles on the surface).
Risk of heavy erosion from wind and water runoff, especially in highly stratified soil.

Farmer Benefits

One Pass Tillage saves farmers money. Using one tillage tool streamlines equipment and part replacement, maintenance, and operation. While the OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage system is an investment for a farm, the lower per-acre operating cost quickly pays for itself. High quality parts reduce downtime so farmers are ready to get their tillage done in the shortest window possible.

For example, the 18-ft-wide Model 4000 completes tillage at an average rate of 10 acres per hour with one operator.

Find my OPTIMIZER

What do you farm?

Is OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage right for me?

OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage is made for acres - more acres, more savings. Our equipment is designed to last for hundreds of thousands of acres and decades of use. If your estimated Return on Investment is more than five years, we recommend checking out our rental or rent-to-buy program or our used equipment section.

Example customer recommendations:

Farming operations with 1000+ conventionally-tilled acres per year (or 500+ acres tilled twice): RECOMMEND BUY NEW - Any OPTIMIZER model should pay for itself in less than five years
Dairies, double-croppers, and others with time-sensitive tillage windows: RECOMMEND BUY NEW or USED - OPTIMIZER may make the difference between meeting tillage and planting deadlines and not. (rentals may be a suitable option for smaller operations)
Custom Tillage Operators: RECOMMEND BUY NEW MODEL SUITABLE FOR TRANSPORT - OPTIMIZERs are an ideal custom tillage tool for enduring heavy acreage, offering complete tillage at a competitive price, and allowing operators to complete more custom acres.
Multi-crop farmers with different tillage needs, including orchards: RECOMMEND BUY NEW or USED 1000 Series - The 1000 Series is appropriate for orchards and open field crops, making it a versatile tool for a versatile farm.
Farming operations with 300 - 1000 acres: RECOMMEND BUY NEW or USED depending on crop type.
Farming operations with < 300 acres: RECOMMEND RENT (except in vineyards, which have lower acreage required for return on investment on NEW equipment)

STILL have questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Call, text, or email if you don't see the answer to your questions here.

Question 1: What soils and conditions does OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage work in?

The modular setup of OPTIMIZER models allows them to be customized to suit most soil types. On some models, special setups are available for rocky soil, heavier soil, and abrasive soils to improve function and wear life. Depths are adjustable so farmers can target the traffic pan compaction layer at the appropriate depth.

The OPTIMIZER is not recommended for wet conditions, so if the soil sticks to and stains your hand, it's probably too wet to run. If the soil crumbles in your hand, you should be good to go.

Question 2: At what speed do OPTIMIZER models operate?

Most OPTIMIZER models are designed to run at 5 - 7 miles per hour. It is important to operate close to this range so that soil lands where it is supposed to and a smooth and level finish is maintained.

THE OPTIMIZER is NOT a high speed disk. Our disk blades are set at an angle designed to invert the surface layer and incorporate it into the soil so that fine material does not build up on the surface and increase the risk of erosion.

The CR Chisel Roller series runs at a bit slower speed - closer to 3.5 miles per hour.

Question 3: How can I purchase an OPTIMIZER?

OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage is sold directly and through dealers. If you feel more comfortable working through your dealer, please request they get in touch with us.

If you would like to purchase or rent directly from OPTIMIZER, contact us and we will discuss your current tillage program, walk you through our options, and help you choose the best purchase, trial, or rental plan for your needs. We can ship units directly to most places in the country and world, so customers can set up and service their units independently. (Service visits may be possible for more complicated models.)

For replacement parts, customers can order parts as needed, or can keep a small set of recommended stocking parts on hand to minimize any downtime during the tillage season.

Question 4: Where are OPTIMIZER products manufactured?

OPTIMIZER One Pass Tillage units are designed and built in Tulare, California, home of the World Ag Expo. We are a family-owned business and test and refine our equipment on our own farm.

Question 5: Is there any financial assistance available for reducing my tillage passes?

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) does offer per-acre funding for reducing tillage passes in some states for purchases of new equipment. Use their calculator to see how many passes you can cut out of your tillage program and meet the eligibility requirements. We recommend working with your local NRCS field office to find out when and what funding is available. Ask us for more details and we'll do our best to assist you in this process.

Question 6: How much horsepower is required?

Depending on the tillage depth and model, we recommend various HP per foot working width. More or less may be required based on soil type, moisture levels, and traction from tractor tires and weights.

For the true one-pass tillage models with chisels (Models 2000 and 4000), 30 HP per foot is recommended for the minimum working depth range of 6-12". For deeper chisel options, 34 HP per foot is sufficient.

Ex. Model 2000 with 6-12" depth chisel option = 360+ HP

Ex. Model 4000 with 12-16" depth chisel option = 540+ HP

For one-pass models without chisels (F Series, 1000 Series, 300 Series), 15+ HP per foot is recommended for maximum working depth of 6-7". For 3-4" working depth, 11+ HP per foot is recommended.

For 3-point chisels (CR Series), 15+ HP per foot is recommended.