Harrow disc operation 101

[stevenf]

I ordered a 8 foot 3 point disc harrow for my tractor it should be in tommorrow I wondered if anyone can give me a quick tutorial on its use. ie
How fast should I move, How deep, what angle to set the disc and for what reason, can I run it at a certain depth or is it just drop it and go and it seeks its own depth, should I disc it rough and let it sit then go back a day or days later and seed and cover or???????? and any other helpful hints would be greatly appreciated. My purpose is to plant food plots around the ranch in previously untilled soil that in most cases is currently overgrown with grass and weeds.
Steve

 

[dingleberry]

I am not sure what Texas soils are like. It sounds like you are going to be planting mostly grasses or forages. Since your disc is 3 pt. mounted there probably are no gauge wheels. The depth of your disc will be controlled through your three point arms, the more you lower them the deeper you go.

It sounds like you have a moderately heavy mat of weeds and grass already growing. You will probably have to work the ground several times to size the weed mat down. (chop it up).

In our neck of the woods you do not want to work soil alot and then leave it sit for a period of time because you would lose a great deal of soil moisture.

Since you will have to work it several times I would work it the first time at a 45 degree angle to the direction you will work it the second time. this would allow for better sizing and incorporation of the material.

If the residue is not heavy after working it I would go ahead and sew the new seed into the fresh worked soil and conserve the moisture for germination.

If the residue is real heavy you could leave it lie in the sun, (the residue would keep the soil from drying out) and then after the residue has dried out and shriveled work the ground one last time and sew your seed.

Hope this helps,
D

 

[Bowhunter]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My purpose is to plant food plots around the ranch in previously untilled soil that in most cases is currently overgrown with grass and weeds. )</font>

The best advice I can offer is to brush hog the area then spray it with a mixture of Round up and brush killer before disking. A few weeks after disking the seeds that hit the ground while disking will begin to sprout and you will want to hit them with Round up again. Otherwise you will fight a losing battle with weeds the entire time (and I speak from frustrating experience /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif).

 

[stevenf]

Dingleberry, (quite a handle you got there) That answered my question I can control depth with my lift arms and hyd top link I just though maybe once the disc was engaged it might tend to suck down to its max depth but it makes sense that I should be able to go up and down just like my box blade. Also if I do decide to leave the dirt roughed and refuge on top how long do you think I should leave it on a bright sunny day are we talking hours or days most of the refuge will be native grass with some coastal mixed in not to bad a weed problem yet. I talked to the seed folks and their deer plot mix is ocra, sorhgum and iron clay peas any other suggestions to include in the mix as prior to this I've drug a log with branches behind a jeep and then seeded native grasses and forbs and then pulled an evergreen(juniper) back over to cover the seed.
Steve

 

[Soundguy]

Discing a seed plot won't be as critical as prepping a pasture, where you need weed control.

Yes the disc will run as deep as it 'can' based on weight and soil and vegitation conditions.

You angle the gangs to get more agressive cut. You also don't disc 'slow'.. nor do you fly either. On a ford 8n.. I'd disc in 2nd gear.. or say.. 5 mph maybee 6. Same as I'd plow.

The other poster gave you good advice.. disc one direction then make an angled pass.

The more weight the deeper it cuts.

You can seed and then drag whenever for a food plot.

Soundguy

 

[Panache]

When planting seed I use the draft control on the 3ph to keep the disks light on the soil. Or if not too much debris on the field I will not disk first. I will just put the seed out broadcast the take one pass over the field with the disks set angled. Over a bahia field this allows me to overseed for deer but keep the bahia for my turkeys.

 

[Soundguy]

Draft control.. You don't see that much anymore except on antiques, and ag tractors!

But yes.. just like plowing.. that's a great use for it.. especially in softer soils.

Soundguy

 

[Panache]

JD5200 is a small ag tractor. UT vs CUT. Don't know if it is on a CUT/SCUT. Handy as all getout for seed covering.