offset vs "regular" disc question

[Doug_Norman]

I'm looking to buy a disc. A friend suggested an offset disc (looks like a V when viewed sideways). But most of what I see for sale are a bit different. They look more like an hour glass when viewed sideways. And the offset of each side is adjustable, since they pivot from the center. Is this just the latest design, or is there a big difference between these two?

Thanks,
Doug

 

[Charlie175]

Wouldn't that design defeat the purpose of evenly spreading the earth? Sounds like it would push all the dirt to the outside or inside.

A V design pushing one way and pulls the next.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Offset disc are usually much heavier than Tandem which is what the hour glass shaped ones are called. The offset disc can usually also be adjusted like the tandem with more or less "set" or angle depending on the soil conditions. More angle, the harder it pulls, but also more that it turns the soil. Offsets take a little patience to adjust the front and back so the both cut equally. Changing drawbar heights even 1/2 inch will require readjustment of the disc to keep it from pulling sideways. Offset discs are almost always trailer type although I have seen a few 3 point hitch type. The tandem disc is better for CUT tractors as they are easier to pull and do not require a PHd to get them to cut properly although the too do need to be properly leveled front to rear to keep the disc from windrowing. IF the back cuts too deep it will throw up a mound in the middle. IF the front cuts too deep, it will leave a furrow on each side. Properly set all disc will leave the dirt level or nearly so behind you.

 

[darkviper]

i have both for a kioti CK 20 Heres the deal. the offset Or also refered to as a cut-away is a primary tillage tool. You can also level with it if you get it set up right and pull it in the direction that the rear tandoms are throwing the soil. Cut-aways do a much better job of breaking the soil and cutting the vegtation off. The leveling or tandom disc is better for final seed bed preparation and covering the seed if you use the broadcast method. If the soil is already plowed the the leveling disc is the way to go. But if you have vegetation on it then the offset or cut-away does a better job. It boils down to how you are going to use the disc. Ifit is going to be a primary tillage tool or you are going to use it say on a garden where you are trying to get the old crop in the ground then use a cut-away. However if you are one that is going to use a turning plow then all you need is a leveling disc. I use my cut-away more then i use my leveling disc. But i keep the vegetation on the ground for mulch and to return the nutrients to the soil. By the way both of my disc are 3PT. I wish they were pull type as they would work a lot better. Hope this helps.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I forgot to mention that with an offset disc you get 100% turnover of all soil and vegetation in one pass where as with a tandem you will have a narrow section where the front section of blade V that dont quit get cut. YOu have to double cut or cross cut to get all the soil loosened up. Also if you turn directly back at each end of the area to be tilled, with a tandem, you leave a furrow the width of your disc, while with an offset, the furrow is double the width of your disc. NOT a biggy thing, just something to note.
The offset generally with completely upset the vegetetation at a much slower pace than a tandem. Tandems have to be pulled somewhat faster to flip the soil than an offset which will sometimes translate into a shallower cut.