Disc Harrow Appropriate disc size/type for 32HP tractor?

[srr5008]

I've been reading through various old posts on this forum, trying to figure out what disc harrow my tractor can handle. My experience is limited to larger tractors and transport disks for food plots. Now that I have a smaller property, I have downsized tractors to a 32HP Kubota L2900. The tractor weights 2,700 pounds +/- and in addition has a FEL and rear tires loaded with foam.

I originally planned to get another (much smaller) transport disc, but I can't seem to find much (looking used) in the 5-6' range. I'm thinking that a 3 point might be the way to go, since to get to my food plot I have to drive through a 3/8 mile long, 8' wide winding path. However, there seem to be a lot of mixed reviews on whether or not a 3 point disk works well. Am I wasting my time if I go this route? If not, do you think my tractor could handle a 6' double gang disk or would 5' be more appropriate?

Widening my path is also an option, if anyone thinks my tractor could handle a pull type disk that is 7' wide (narrowest I can find) - but I have my doubts about my tractor handling that.

Also, I am not considering rototillers - soil is much to rocky in my corner of PA.

Any input would be much appreciated.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Welcome from PA! I would say that a used disc is cheap enough to buy to try and see. I think the rule of thumb is 5 drawbar hp/ft of width. Don't buy a cheap county line disc, you want a heavier unit. Are you going to try and use this as primary tillage or secondary? I know in heavy soil around here, a smaller than average disc does better since they pull so hard in tilled ground.

 

[srr5008]

Secondary tillage. We've always disc'ed our plots really shallow to cut up the sod before we use the bottom plow, but the disc will be primarily used to break up the soil turned over the by the plow.

 

[jeff9366]

I've been trying to figure out what disc harrow my tractor can handle. I have a 32HP Kubota L2900. The tractor weights 2,700 pounds +/- and in addition has a FEL and rear tires loaded with foam.

I'm thinking that a 3 point might be the way to go, since to get to my food plot I have to drive through a 3/8 mile long, 8' wide winding path. However, there seem to be a lot of mixed reviews on whether or not a 3 point disk works well. Am I wasting my time if I go this route?

Also, I am not considering roto-tillers - soil is much to rocky in my corner of PA.

My previous Kubota was a B3300SU. Very close to specs of your L2900. You can pull a Three Point Hitch Tandem Disc Harrow with 18" diameter pans. You CANNOT pull a Three Point Hitch mounted Tandem Disc Harrow with 20" pans at a brisk pace, meaning HST/MED and full throttle.

The key factor in Disc Harrow effectiveness is total Disc Harrow weight bearing on each pan. A Disc Harrow with 18" diameter pans has 36 pounds to 40 pounds bearing on each pan. This is just enough to smooth land opened by a plow. A Disc Harrow with 20" pans has 45 pounds to 50 pounds bearing on each pan and cuts/penetrates/smooths better.

MORE: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/308251-disc-harrow-selection-18-45-a.html?highlight=

If a PTO powered roto-tiller is not an option, consider a Disc Plow, which is not any form of Disc Harrow, but a PLOW using pans to turn soil rather than moldboards. With a Disc Plow you do not keep one tractor wheel in a furrow, so in uneven food plots Disc Plows are less likely to upset the tractor. There should be lots of old Ford/Dearborn Disc Plows laying around, unused, in Pennsylvania.

As you have rocks a Disc Plow will not penetrate deep in one pass, so you should be able to pull a 2-pan Disc Plow fine with your L2900. 1950's vintage Ford and Ferguson 27-horsepower, 2-WD tractors, with filled rear tires and four gear transmissions, broke rocky ground with Disc Plows routinely.

MORE: Disc Plow | Turf Pride USA

TDP2 Series 2 & 3 Blade Disc Plows | Tufline

disc plow - YouTube

Dearborn Disc Plow site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

Tufline Disc Plow site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[oldnslo]

For reference I pull a Ford 54" 3 point tandem with 20" pans with my 24 HP Branson in previously plowed ground with no problems. I also have R1 tires filled with fluid but rarely have the FEL on when doing tillage work. This old harrow also has the option of removing two bolts and allowing the rear gang to float independent of the front gang or tip the rear gang up so all the weight is on the front gang for really cutting sod. Estimate the weight of my Branson at around 2,200 lbs with fluid and FEL mtg frame.

 

[LD1]

Heavy box frame, 20" pan 3ph discs are very rare to ever come up on the used market. And are ~$1500-2000+ for a ~^-7' to buy new.

Which pretty much leaves the mass amount of 6'-7' (20 or 24 pan) angle frame light weight discs that come and go all the time. Typically 16" or 18" pans. Sometimes notched, sometimes smooth, sometimes a combo. And typically in the $300-$500 price range.

For doing a food plot over previously plowed ground, really any of the above would work. A 6' plow or a 7' plow like you typically see on craigslist, your tractor will handle fine. Will it do as nice of a job as a heavy box-frame disc with 20" or 22" pans like jeff shows in the picture above......nope. But make an extra pass. Dont over think it. ITs just a food plot.

 

[ovrszd]

And I wouldn't worry about buying a wheeled tandem disc a foot or two too wide. You can always carry it a bit until your tractor can handle it. In my soil your tractor would handle a 7 or 8 ft easy enough.

 

[flusher]

I'd hit your food plot first with a middle buster plow (potato plow) and then use a 4-5 ft wide 3-pt tandem disc (4 axles in an "X" configuration) with 18" pans. You need to run the disc at 5-6 mph ground speed to get it to work properly. Add weight to the disc if needed to get it to work better.

Good luck

 

[bspeedy]

For your tractor the disc in Jeff's posted picture would be great. 16 disc - tube frame. Lurk on craigslist and you will find one. Angle iron discs are a waste of money.

 

[jeff9366]

Angle iron discs are a waste of money.

I agree.