Disc harrow conversion

   / Disc harrow conversion #1  

Chilly807

Elite Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
3,272
Location
Nova Scotia
Tractor
Kubota L3400DT
Back in the summer I came by this set of disc harrows. They were originally designed for pull-behind use, which was fine by me except that there was no easy way to transport them.

They're about 8 feet wide, the front set is designed to push the soil out, and the rear pulls it back in. The L3400 doesn't have the power to pull both sets, let alone lift them, so I decided to convert the front set to a 3 point lift style and keep the rear set for spare parts. They were built by Massey Harris from what I can see, I would imagine spare parts are right up there with hen's teeth.

The angle adjusts by moving the side rails fore and aft, the collar that slides on the center rail has slots and a locking pin.

The front frame is designed to give support to the side rails and stiffen everything up.

I decided to shorten the whole thing by about 15 inches, the Kubota wasn't happy about lifting it with all the weight so far back behind the 3 point hitch. It has no problem handling it now.

The rear post and chain stays are designed to take any serious bounce loading while it's being transported. I don't foresee any long trips at high speeds, but even a small bump puts a lot of strain on the center section.

The job was delayed a couple of times, testing it will have to wait until next spring when the ground dries a bit.

Sean
 

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   / Disc harrow conversion #3  
Look like you had several problems to solve in the conversion and developed some creative solutions.

Question: As a tandem disc, can you keep from digging a trench as the soil is thrown outward?

If I happen to set my tandem disc a little too slanted down (forward) the rear gangs won't throw back enough dirt and a trench is made. Without a rear set of blades it seems like this would be an even greater issue.
 
   / Disc harrow conversion
  • Thread Starter
#4  
It actually works pretty well, although it's hard to get enough weight on it to dig properly. I plan to remove a disc or two on each side to get more pressure on each disc. If I can shorten it a bit more while I'm at it I may try to add the second gang too.

Sean
 
   / Disc harrow conversion #5  
Nice job. That tray above the discs is where the additional weights go.
 
   / Disc harrow conversion
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Yep, lots of room for weight, my trouble is lifting it with the L3400. If I can shorten the distance between the discs and the hitch I can easily add more weight.

Sean
 
   / Disc harrow conversion #7  
That ridged link from the top link down will give you trouble on rolling terrain. A chain to let the gang float will let it follow the ground will work better or you could make a sliding or folding link like rotary cutters have. You can carry concrete blocks in the bucket between fields to lighten the transport load on the 3PH or just add on pet rocks as you find them going around the field and add them to the pick pile when you are done.
 
   / Disc harrow conversion #8  
Here is a pic of my rotary cutter set up. Sorry I couldn't find a side view and it's under a foot of snow at present.
070712085318_zps5aefeddb.jpg
 
   / Disc harrow conversion #9  
Sean neat build ! Looks great. You know I always pay close attention to what you do with your DT cause I have exact same one.

Boone

BTW : Don't forget to feed the horses. :thumbsup: :D
 
   / Disc harrow conversion #10  
Look like you had several problems to solve in the conversion and developed some creative solutions.

Question: As a tandem disc, can you keep from digging a trench as the soil is thrown outward?

If I happen to set my tandem disc a little too slanted down (forward) the rear gangs won't throw back enough dirt and a trench is made. Without a rear set of blades it seems like this would be an even greater issue.

When plowing with a single set of discs I used to lap the next trip around the field a little over half-way over the previous one. This filled the trench and removed the ridge from the middle. The exception was the last pass, in the center of the field.
 
 
 
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