MOLE DRAINAGE

To further assist the drainage of your land, a mole drainage system can be installed to guide excess water into your open drains or into subsurface drains, using the natural fall of the land.

Mole drains are unlined channels formed in the clay subsoil with an expander on a cylindrical foot attached to a ripper leg. The expander compacts the channel wall.

The floating beam mole plough is the preferred mole plough design as it evens out irregularities in the slope of the mole drain caused by local surface variations.

Mole drainage, in the right soil type and done properly, will help reduce waterlogging problems. Mole drainage is widely used in New Zealand. Europe and the UK on heavy soils to improve productivity of pastures and crops.

Suitability for mole drainage is dependent on having the right soil type. Clay soils are ideally suited while sandier soils will not hold the mole drains for any period of time. The mole drains are formed by pulling  a ripper leg with an expander through the soil. The ripper leg breaks the soil while the expander forms the channel. The cracks in the soil form little waterways to the channel in the ground. Mole drains are installed between 2 and 2,5 metres apart. The mole drains can be installed either in combination with subsurface drains or with open drains.

In undulating country the sub-surface drains are often installed in the leads of the lower areas of the land. The mole drains are installed across the subsurface drains cutting through the gravel. Water will drain down the cracks in the soil into the mole drains an out into the subsurface drains.

Alternatively the mole drains can be used in conjunction with open drains. The mole drain starts in the open drain and follows the slope of the land.

The mole plough is being pulled by a 215 horsepower articulated John Deere 8450 tractor on dual wheels. The dual wheels, front and back, optimize traction and prevent wheel slipmarks which could damage pastures.

Mole drainage is the most cost effective way of draining your paddocks.

The ideal time for installing mole drainage would be spring to early summer.