How is the clay found?
We have never not been able to do a job because we could not locate clay. Clay is normally located within one and a half metres of the surface.

Is all clay suitable and how much is needed?
Yes clay is clay. It has been shown that 30 ton to the hectare, or 3% of the non-wetting band is what is required to alleviate water repellancy permanently. Since most clay subsoils in the regions we have worked contain between 25%-40% actual clay, you therefore require only 80-100 ton of clay subsoil to achieve the required result technically. In practice, however, it has been found that more material is required to achieve effective incorporation. With the advent of equipment capable of accurate spreading, experience has shown that 200 ton to the hectare is a good compromise to achieve good incorporation with ample clay content.

Can too much clay be put on?
There have been reports of serious problems with sealing and ponding when using higher rates of clay, making sufficient incorporation very difficult. Our equipment eliminates this problem by providing a correct and even rate of clay spread.

How is the clay incorporated?
After spreading, this is the most important part of the operation. In recent years clients have discovered scarifying to be an effective method, with two or three workings achieving the desired effect. Some clients then use a railway iron smudge bar or offset discs. However you do it, the clay needs to be incorporated throughout the non-wetting band down to the moisture.

How is the pit opened and managed?
An excavator is used to open the pit and load the trucks putting overburden aside as it goes. Pits can be cheaply and easily rehabilitated with a bulldozer after the paddock has been spread.

Can clay spreading be used for soil stabilisation?
Our equipment is capable of accurately spreading material from 125mm thick for road building down to a very thin layer of approximately 5mm for stabilisation, i.e. after a fire.

I have heard that crops on clayed soils hay-off if the season finishes early. Is this true?
Yes. It must be borne in mind that with the addition of clay you have allowed poor soil to establish more plants per square metre than it is capable of sustaining until the soil fertility is built up.