Disk vs Tiller for Ford 1300

[Ythdude14]

I recently bought a Ford 1300 to work on the 5 acres we bought and built on here in Alabama. The dirt here is red clay. Lots of red clay. I need to break the ground up and seed grass on about an acre of it around the house. The red clay is like concrete.
What would work better? A disk set or a tiller or would something else work better? I only need to scratch the top 2-3 inches to give the grass a chance to take hold.
Also, how big would I be able to go on a disk set or a tiller?

The 1300 is a 16 hp and 2WD. One of the back tires has liquid in it, the other I am not sure of.
I use a 4' bush hog that came with the tractor when I bought it last month.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[nybirdman]

A tractor that size with a disc would be about useless IMHO.About the same as an ATV with a disc.I would advise plowing first(Inexpensive middle buster/potato plow about $150);then a tiller.You need to break the top layer and then turn over/mix.

 

[jeff9366]

Indubitably, PTO powered roto-tiller; a tad wider than your rear tire width, outside-to-outside.

Work soil only when it is crumbly.

I would check liquid in rear tires soon. If you run down hard road at 10 - 12 mph having just one rear tire filled may effect emergency breaking dramatically, with potential for a spin/rollover.

 

[boggen]

A tractor that size with a disc would be about useless IMHO.About the same as an ATV with a disc.I would advise plowing first(Inexpensive middle buster/potato plow about $150);then a tiller.You need to break the top layer and then turn over/mix.

TractorData.com Ford 13 tractor transmission information

i like the idea of middle buster/potato plow or bottom plow/moldboard plow. abilty to sink it down and turn over old growth (roots/weeds/old grass)

would then go with a tiller.

the tiller will more like respond better and less times shutting everything down and getting the razor knife out, tweezers, needle nose plyers, wire cutters, a couple size straight end screw drivers, to untangle stuff wound up on the tiller tines.

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a disc alone most likely will not get down to depth without running it across a lot (at least not on this farm).

disc is more for farm/field work. and can leave some descent size clods. a tiller on other hand more likely to break up the clods.

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adding to list of stuff, a drag harrow or chain harrow. to drag across it all and smooth stuff out and clean up final clods / dragging grass clumps out. this is more of final touches on it all.

 

[nybirdman]

Another plus for the "middle buster"type plow;they don't plug up.Tried to work some new ground(that had been brush) and they plugged all most instantly.Slow going for sure but they do work.Another fairly inexpensive tool is a three point cultivator,does a decent job on lightly worked ground.