Practical questions about what the Rootster does, how it operates, tractor requirements, field conditions, transport, maintenance, and ownership.
The Rootster RP10 is a pull-type root picker built for the cleanup and land-preparation stage after trees and large stumps have been removed. It lifts remaining roots and woody debris, separates loose soil, and collects the debris in a hydraulic hopper.
A root picker is equipment designed to lift roots and woody debris from the upper soil, separate usable soil from that material, and collect the remaining debris for removal.
It is designed to remove roots, limbs, and other woody debris left in the soil after initial land clearing while returning separated dirt to the field.
The Rootster is intended for farmers, landowners, clearing contractors, and other operations preparing larger cleared areas for agriculture, pasture, development, or continued site work.
The Rootster is primarily a land-preparation and post-clearing cleanup machine. Initial clearing equipment should remove standing trees, large stumps, and major debris first.
Yes. The Rootster RP10 is a Wallace Truck & Equipment product alongside our proven lowboy trailers.
It is designed for roots and woody material remaining throughout the upper soil after initial clearing. Large stumps and standing trees should be removed beforehand.
Yes. Buried roots are a core application, and the Rootster is designed to pick material from depths of up to approximately 10 inches.
The Rootster is not intended to remove large stumps. Large stumps should generally be removed with an excavator, dozer, or other initial-clearing equipment before the Rootster is used.
The Rootster is not designed to pick up rocks and does not perform well in very rocky soil. Smaller rocks generally do not affect its performance, however, and some larger rocks may be collected with the debris.
Yes. The Rootster is designed to collect roots, limbs, and other woody debris remaining after initial clearing.
The Rootster can handle stumps and roots up to approximately 16 inches in diameter, along with other debris roughly 2 to 6 feet long.
The machine lifts soil with the roots, but its chain conveyor is designed to filter loose dirt out before the debris reaches the hopper. The separated soil falls through the chain and returns to the field.
As the tractor pulls the machine, the front rotor digs up roots and debris and moves the material to a second rotor, which places it on the conveyor.
The mixed material travels across a 20-foot open chain conveyor supported by heavy-duty rollers. Loose soil falls through the chain and returns to the field while roots and larger debris continue toward the hopper.
Roots and larger woody debris travel along the conveyor and are collected in the 10-yard hopper.
The hopper is hydraulically operated so the tractor operator can dump the collected debris in another location for burning, mulching, or removal.
Depending on the amount of debris and the desired finished result, most fields require between one and three passes.
We recommend operating the Rootster at approximately 1/2 to 1 mile per hour, depending on the amount of debris in the field.
We generally recommends a capable tractor in approximately the 200-horsepower class. Actual suitability depends on the tractor and operating conditions.
The published tractor requirement is approximately 200 horsepower.
The Rootster requires a pintle hitch.
Yes. PTO output is required to drive the rotor system, and a new PTO shaft is included with the machine.
Three hydraulic remotes are required for rotor depth, conveyor movement, and hopper operation.
We recommends approximately 200 horsepower. A smaller tractor may not provide the weight or power needed for full performance, so a specific tractor should be reviewed with us before use.
The recommended picking depth is up to 10 inches.
The Rootster has a 10-foot cleaning width.
Under suitable conditions, the Rootster can process up to approximately 2 acres per hour.
The hydraulic hopper has a 10-cubic-yard capacity.
Most operators find that they dump the hopper about every 2-6 acres, although debris volume and field conditions will change that interval.
Productivity varies with root density, soil moisture, soil type, tractor speed, debris size, and the number of passes needed to reach the desired finish.
The Rootster works best in dry soil across a variety of soil types. It can still be productive in slightly rocky, clay-like, or sandy conditions, although field conditions will affect performance.
Not especially well. The Rootster can pick in some clay soil, but clay has difficulty sifting through the chain and can work its way into components, reducing performance.
Yes. The Rootster excels in dry dirt and sandy soils because the teeth can sift through the soil easily while pulling out roots.
To a degree. The high-flotation tires allow the machine to operate in wet soil, but mud can clog the chain and collect in the hopper, reducing performance.
The drier the soil, the better the Rootster will perform. Occasional rain can be difficult to avoid, especially during South Georgia summers, but extremely wet soil and mud can substantially reduce performance.
The Rootster uses wide, high-flotation tires intended to keep the machine stable and smooth across rough terrain. Actual operation still depends on slope, ground condition, and safe tractor access.
Yes. Its teeth work up to approximately 10 inches deep, pulling roots while loosening compacted soil and acting as a subsoiler during the pass.
A root rake primarily loosens, pushes, and piles material. A root picker lifts and collects roots while filtering loose soil out so it can remain in the field.
Not in every stage. A root rake is often better for initial clearing, pushing large debris, and building piles. The Rootster is designed to follow or partially replace that work and clean remaining roots and woody debris from the soil.
No. Excavators remain better suited for standing trees, large stumps, and concentrated digging. The Rootster is intended for cleanup and land preparation after that heavy work is complete.
Yes. Large stumps should generally be removed before using the Rootster.
Use it after vegetation, standing trees, large stumps, and major debris have been removed, but before final grading, tillage, planting, or other finished soil preparation.
Yes. Agricultural preparation is a core application because the machine removes remaining roots and woody debris while returning separated soil to the field.
Yes, after initial clearing equipment has removed the timber, large stumps, and major debris. The Rootster then addresses remaining roots and woody material before final field preparation.
Yes. It can be used after initial clearing to remove remaining roots and debris before grading, seeding, or other pasture-establishment work.
Yes. Contractors can use the Rootster for post-clearing root and debris cleanup when the project calls for cleaner soil before grading or development.
Yes. Previously cleared ground with roots and woody debris remaining in the upper soil is one of the machine’s intended applications.
Properties under approximately 5 to 10 acres typically receive less benefit from the Rootster’s 10-foot cleaning width. It may still be practical when the property requires regular or repeated clearing work.
The Rootster weighs approximately 25,000 pounds.
The Rootster’s maximum dimensions are approximately 36 feet long, 11 feet wide, and 9 feet 4 inches high.
The easiest method is on a lowboy trailer. For short trips, some customers also pull the Rootster directly down the road where doing so is permitted and safe.
Requirements vary by state and route, but the Rootster’s 11-foot maximum width may require an oversize permit for transport. Confirm current requirements with the appropriate authorities before hauling.
Yes. A lowboy trailer is the primary method of transporting the Rootster. Wallace prefers hauling it on a detachable-neck lowboy.
To place the Rootster on a trailer, a tractor, forklift, or another suitable machine can connect to its pintle hitch and move it into position.
Grease all indicated points daily to keep the machine and gearbox running smoothly. Check the gears and chains monthly, or more frequently based on use, to make sure everything remains tight and operates properly.
Yes. The Rootster uses 180 bolt-on teeth that can be replaced individually.
The teeth are bolted on rather than welded, allowing an individual tooth to be removed and replaced without cutting or welding it from the rotor.
The teeth, conveyor chain, roller bearings, and other moving components are serviceable. The chain can be adjusted and flipped to extend its useful run time before replacement.
Yes. We provides replacement teeth, bearings, and chains. Other components are designed to be widely available, helping owners source parts and reduce downtime.
Yes. We offer multiple service options and can also provide information for servicing your own machine to help reduce downtime.
A new Rootster comes with a one-year structural warranty.