The in-line ripper was promoted as a new tillage tool for area farmers in the fall of 2002 and 2003. The in-line ripper is described as a tillage implement that operates 16 to 20 inches deep, shatters the soil in a vertical pattern and does not disturb the surface crop residue. Yield claims were made showing a benefit of deep tillage (16 to 20 inches) with an in-line ripper. Some farmers used the in-line ripper on a large number of acres to reduce compaction problems and/or increase rooting depth of corn and soybean crops. However, other farmers raised the question of the economic benefit of this tillage tool to corn and soybean production.