Scraper on disc harrows?

[hcf]

Having a scraper on each disc looks like a good idea, but a lot of discs don't have them. How important are scrapers? Does their usefulness outweigh have all the extra parts to keep aligned?

Thank you for your advice.

 

[RickB]

If the soil is damp and scrapers are needed, a disc without scrapers is worthless until the soil dries out and can be used succesfully. If the soil is dry and won't pack in between the discs, scrapers aren't necessary. Properly installed scrapers don't require adjustment or maintenence unless the disc is run in roots, sticks or other foreign objects. Generally speaking, only very old or very cheap disc harrows do not have scrapers.

 

[Ted Summey]

Ours has chains hanging on the beam and looped around the axles between the discs. This may have been an addition my FIL added. I'm guessing it is a 1974 ish implement.

They work by not allowing the soil to cake around the axle between the discs. I agree with RickB on the need for scrapers or chains.

 

[Egon]

Lots of times when scrapers are required it's best to stay off the land.

 

[Ed of all trades]

We had an old heavy tph disc that we used on the farm, had a field that had a few wet spots in it, took some heavy wire and made loose loops around the axle and the frame between each disc, worked well.

 

[gwdixon]

Have to agree that the scrapers are a big plus. The real problem is when the mud builds up between two of the blades and forms a "tire". Then the disc just runs over the ground like it was on tires.

A relatively small wet part of a field will cause this and ruin the ability to cut until the mud is removed.

Then there is the removal...it is a royal pain. A crowbar or digging bar is usually necessary in clay soil. Since it is packed it takes some time and progress is slow.

 

[johnnie charlson]

we just took a piece of heavy wire and tied it to the fram and under the spool. worked well enough.

 

[RickB]

Lots of times when scrapers are required it's best to stay off the land.

If we stayed off the land until all the wet spots dried completely, I would have starved to death before I was 5 years old.

 

[hcf]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies and insights. I especially appreciate the ideas of using chain or heavy wire in lieu of scrapers. Happen to have 100' of chain bought because it was a great bargain and "I might need it someday".

For food plots I will try to wait until the ground is dry enough that I won't compress it or leave ruts. Still might hit a wet spot or two. I certainly understand that "real" farmers and people serious about gardening sometimes need to get things done whether or not the ground is at optimum dryness.

Thank you for taking the time to respond - it's been very helpful.

 

[normanparks]

How do you install the chains? A picture would be great.