[Ground Working 101] Field Stones

Welcome to the Farming Simulator Academy! Today, we show you what you need to know about field stones. They can appear after plowing and cultivating in different sizes and can damage your machines if you don't get rid of them. You can deactivate them in the game settings, if you want.

(Video coming soon!)

Sizes & Effects of Field Stones

In Farming Simulator 22, field stones appear in three sizes: small, medium, and large. They're depicted in yellow, orange and red on your map when selecting the respective filter. But, you can also distinguish them from one another visually when standing on your field. Take a look:

Stones don't affect your soil properties or crops and the yield you gain from selling them. They only impact certain machines. While seeders, planters and weeders can manage the presence of those rocky field invaders, your harvester will take damage.

The larger the stones, the heavier the damage and need for repair. You should remove them whenever you get the chance, as your problem will literally grow bigger over time. If you don't remove them, they will grow with the following field preparation - in number AND in size!

Tip! If you're in a hurry, because your crops will soon wither, you might want to take the chance and harvest them despite the stones. The income will take a hit, but cover the damages.

When Do Field Stones Emerge?

Stones are the result of plowing and cultivating. Depending on the machine, you are using, the size of the rocks will vary. You can see the different stone sizes in the following overviews. Find out more about plowing and cultivating in our respective tutorial!

Tip! If you want to avoid stones of all sizes, you have to cultivate using a shallow cultivator, disc harrow, power harrow or a direct sowing machines. 

There are two ways to get rid of stones. Soil rolling and stone picking. Let's take a look at both options, now. 

Get Rid of Field Stones: Soil Rolling

Small stones can be pushed back into the soil, using a soil roller. There are two major benefits to using a roller: It's quick and gains you a 2,5% yield increase for condensing the soil. You should use the soil roller after sowing/planting your crops to gain this bonus - as the stones won't damage the seeder/planter. This way, you improve the yield and protect your machines.

Find out more about soil & grass rollers

Get Rid of Field Stones: Stone picking

Medium and large stones can't be pushed back into the soil by rolling over them. You need to collect them using a stone picking tool. Collecting them is not as fast as soil rolling - but you are compensated when delivering them to the rock crusher to sell them.

It's not much, but your machines are safe, the stones are gone, and you are at least a tiny bit financially rewarded, too. You can collect small stones, too - but, of course, it's not lucrative and takes more time. Better use a soil roller to gain the yield bonus.

Well done!

Congratulations, you now know the most important facts about field stones. Take your time and start on the next lesson, when you’re ready. Stay with the Farming Simulator Academy and you become a top-notch virtual farmer in no time!