Heavy Duty Discs - EA vs Howse 24x20?

[C4Ranch]

Anyone know major differences between the two?

I can get the Howse for $650 less... I like the screw adjustments on the EA but don't see a $650 advantage and that's a considerable savings.

Both weigh 1,249 lbs
Both have 3x3 tube
Both have 1 1/8 axles with sealed bearings

I need to get a 3 pt to maneuver around my food plots.

All input appreciated.

TIA

J

 

[jeff9366]

ETA and Howse 24/20" disc harrow, therefore 52 pounds weighting each pan.

ETA specifies 7-1/2" pan spacing. Howse specifies 9" pan spacing. Howse width not specified; I assume Howse would be wider than the ETA.

Both Howse and ETA are well over 40 pounds per pan, considered minimum necessary for good cutting.

I pull a Howse 16/18" disc harrow. I wish I had bought 16/20". Howse construction quality and paint excellent.

Howse has the most common method of gang angle adjustment with manufacturers: three bolts clamping a friction plate to adjust each gang. Cheap to manufacture, works fine, simple, 20-30 minutes to adjust two gang angles. I recommend buying a ratchet equipped wrench to speed nut loosening/tightening.

ETA should adjust much faster. Use a dry lube on the screws; either graphite or wax lube. Graphite lube will furbish to a limited extent. With Grade 8 zinc chromate plating, rust should not be a factor on screws if stored under cotton canvas, avoiding dust collection will.

I only change gang angles occasionally as my soil is uniform. How often will you change gang angles?

Both are good, heavy selections so do not agonize over decision too long.

For food plots do not purchase a Disc Harrow wider than rear tire width. If tractor will pass between trees you want Disc Harrow to follow obediently through same gap.

(( As you set gang angles to more aggressive "V" shape, frame width narrows a little. Harrow frame is widest when gangs are set "straight". ))



Would a Howse 16/20" or 20/20" cost less?

 

[lostcreekranch]

You might want to look at the Armstrong Ag disc harrows out of Brenham. They sell thru dealers only.

Just got a price of $1695 for an HD2420.

http://www.armstrongag.com/Parts/HDOM.pdf

 

[lostcreekranch]

You might want to look at the Armstrong Ag disc harrows out of Brenham. They sell thru dealers only. Just got a price of $1695 for an HD2420. http://www.armstrongag.com/Parts/HDOM.pdf

More info on the AA HD disc harrows.

http://www.wctractor.com/NEW PAGES/Arm harrows.html

 

[C4Ranch]

Thanks Jeff! I think my tractor width is around 6'. It's at the land now so it's 2 hrs away. I don't have any tree issues but my small plots are narrow 1-2 acres so lots of turning. If I turn up my bigger fields for wheat or grass, would be around 30 acres so looking for a disc that could do double duty if needed.

Rick, not sure about the Armstrong. Looks like they've upgraded from hitch pins to a double shear but the mounting doesn't look as robust as Howse or The Everything Attachments. Also, the double "c" channel with pins for gang adjustment doesn't seem as strong to me but I'm no engineer. Instead of adjusting along the center beam like other designs you're adjusting on the outside double "c" channels with 4 removable pins and I'm guessing you're putting a lot of stress on the pins... Now their super HD disc at 2,100 lbs is a beast and the design looks similar so I dunno.

Thanks for your input, keep em comming!

J

 

[Reyer Farms]

I have a Howse and it has been very good for us. It is 2 or 3 yrs old. I do not move my gangs regularly. I have front set at max and rear is two holes flatter.

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks If I turn up my bigger fields for wheat or grass, would be around 30 acres so looking for a disc that could do double duty if needed.

For "double duty" on thirty acres I would spend the extra $650 for the easily adjustable ETA, provided 7-1/2" pan spacing meets your needs. I examined ETA screw-adjust harrows at 2012 SE Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. Excellent quality.

( I enjoy spending other people's hard earned money. )

 

[lostcreekranch]

I enlarged the picture of Armstrong's Heavy Duty Disc Harrows. They have an "open" draw pin, not robust enough for me, for discs of published weight. I prefer a double clevis, to accept separate draw pines; two ears distribute the draft force. Picture is dropped Double Clevis on Howse 16/18".

If you look at the current photo on my first post, you will note triple clevis hitch compatible with both CAT 1 and CAT 2 quick attach. The picture on the WCT site is obviously out of date.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the screw adjustment vs pins for gang settings. I rarely have my disc set for less than maximum gang setting for maximum cutting/tilling. Maybe once in 2 years do I roll it back for just covering seed in the pasture and it isn't that big a deal. I do it at my shop with an impact gun to loosen/remove the bolts so it is not a big deal. I would rather have the holes to gauge the correct front and rear gang settings than have to measure the screw length each time or continue to turn a bit, disc, turn a bit more etc till I got front and rear cutting the same. Regardless of adjustment bolts coating, it is going to rust over time and be hard to turn or freeze up. At least with the other type, bolts can be cheaply replaced if they rust up, twist off etc.

 

[Chilly807]

I'm with Gary as far as how often you adjust them.. when I built my 3 point conversion harrows I simply set them at roughly 21 degrees and there's no easy adjustment. Hasn't been a problem so far, but in general, the simpler the better is my guiding policy for farm equipment.

Sean