disk harrow on a BX1500

[Brad d]

I have the kubota tiller for it but i was wondering is a disk harrow would work better for turning up a bigger part of land 250'x250' or is this too much to ask of a small tractor?

something like this http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200054024_200054024 wold my tractor even pull it?

thanks

 

[bp fick]

Hey Brad,

In short, no. That disk is too big for your tractor. IMHO.

I always wince when someone talks about a disk to work up land. The disk harrow is wonderful implement, but it is designed to break down clods and mix up soil that has already been plowed or broken up in some way. Guys pull little disks with ATVs so I think your tractor could easily pull a small 4' disk over an acre piece. The old garden tractors of the past have certainly done it. The question is what is needed first to break up the soil, down to 8", let's say?

Is it clay? Sandy loam?

I can tell you, through pictures, what i have done to my 1/3 acre plot. Let's get more information first.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have the kubota tiller for it but i was wondering is a disk harrow would work better for turning up a bigger part of land 250'x250' or is this too much to ask of a small tractor?

something like this Howse 3-Point Disc Harrow 5ft. Width | Category 0 Disc Harrows + Rakes | Northern Tool + Equipment wold my tractor even pull it?

thanks

I decided I needed a Disc Harrow a few days ago. I've decided that a few times before and my tractor dealer usually talks me out of it. I don't want to take the time tilling my whole front yard and it has alot of subsurface and above surface limestone waiting to destroy my tiller. I'm still hanging on the edge of buying one. They (Barlows) sell Landpride and Taylor Way. Small 48" DH1048 Landpride was $1150. The Taylor Way 5' he priced for $650 which has 16 14" discs and 425lbs. He said the 14" would be better for a Sub Compact tractor to pull and weight can be set on top of the disc if more weight is needed. If I do finally buy, this is the one I'll buy. I also have a tiller, boxblade and have a single bottom plow coming today. I have a big front yard that was a field and it's fairly rough which I'm now to the point of wanting to work on it and get it level and smooth. Steve Barlow told me if I did get the disc then pull a round post behind it to get it to level out the low spots. I'd like to hear from others that have used a disc harrow on a subcompact and especially for any that have used them to level out yards. I had a BX1500 and it's a great "little" tractor but I'm not sure it will pull the disc. I'd want to have some type assurance from a current BX1500 owner that has done it or the dealer let you return it if it doesn't or borrow someones to try first. I have a BX2660 and I believe it will pull one.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Hey Brad,

In short, no. That disk is too big for your tractor. IMHO.

I always wince when someone talks about a disk to work up land. The disk harrow is wonderful implement, but it is designed to break down clods and mix up soil that has already been plowed or broken up in some way. Guys pull little disks with ATVs so I think your tractor could easily pull a small 4' disk over an acre piece. The old garden tractors of the past have certainly done it. The question is what is needed first to break up the soil, down to 8", let's say? BOXBLADE?

Is it clay? Sandy loam?

I can tell you, through pictures, what i have done to my 1/3 acre plot. Let's get more information first.

BP, will the disc harrow cut the top surface of grass down 2" to 3" with several passes in order to plant grass seed???? I'm not using it for a garden, just to smooth out a yard.

 

[bp fick]

John

The problem with a disk, on a scut, is that the tractor can only handle so much. The disk is heavy for the tractor, but not heavy enough to sink well into clay based soils. It's "bite" comes from the angle of the row set. More angle means more bite. Bite off more than a BX1500 can chew and all you have is a spin cycle with the rear wheels. Bite off too little and not much gets done with the soil.

I broke up my soil with a middle buster, twice, over a two month period. I borrowed my neighbor's little Brinley disk, designed for a garden tractor. I put two blocks on top for weight. Still, it did little more than patty cake the soil.

video here YouTube - BX1860 Working

I would love to try a decent disk on my plowed patch. It would likely do very, very well.

Your 2660 should have power to pull a decent disk in the 50-60" variety. Going over and over and I bet you make nice progress on cutting a 3" depth nicely.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John

The problem with a disk, on a scut, is that the tractor can only handle so much. The disk is heavy for the tractor, but not heavy enough to sink well into clay based soils. It's "bite" comes from the angle of the row set. More angle means more bite. Bite off more than a BX1500 can chew and all you have is a spin cycle with the rear wheels. Bite off too little and not much gets done with the soil.

I broke up my soil with a middle buster, twice, over a two month period. I borrowed my neighbor's little Brinley disk, designed for a garden tractor. I put two blocks on top for weight. Still, it did little more than patty cake the soil.

video here YouTube - BX1860 Working

I would love to try a decent disk on my plowed patch. It would likely do very, very well.

Your 2660 should have power to pull a decent disk in the 50-54" variety. Going over and over and I bet you make nice progress on cutting a 3" depth nicely.

Thanks BP. I don't want a real deep cut, I just want to "fly" across my yard and 2, 3 or 4 passes will be OK for me instead of "inch" across it with the tiller being destroyed and me cringing every time it hits a rock.
The page I sent you concerning mowers was not a Landpride but a Taylor Way Page, sorry.

 

[bp fick]

I have the kubota tiller for it but i was wondering is a disk harrow would work better for turning up a bigger part of land 250'x250' or is this too much to ask of a small tractor?

something like this Howse 3-Point Disc Harrow 5ft. Width | Category 0 Disc Harrows + Rakes | Northern Tool + Equipment wold my tractor even pull it?

thanks

Brad, the disk you linked to is likely too big, even though they call it Cat 0. The BX1500 had a limited Cat 1 3 pt. Kubota improved the 3 pt on later BX's to be a true Cat 1 geometry. It isn't just that a BX1500 only has 15 hp, but that it's 3 pt is a limited Cat 1. I seriously doubt that it has enough height to pick that disk up. Man, I hope I am wrong. There is nothing wrong with Cat 0 or limited Cat 1 stuff. It would better match your tractor and it's lifting height. I would want to take a tape measure to that disk and see it it is too high. I have seen that very disk in person, and it is a lot bigger up close and personal.

For example, I first bought a Cat 1 sub-soiler/middle buster. Dang, I couldn't lift it high enough to go anywhere and I have the improved geometry Cat 1 of the BX1860. I bought the XB version instead. The gal at TSC was great and helpful. This XB stuff is where a BX1500 owner should be focusing.
CountyLine Middle Buster Sub-Soiler Combo - 2122476 | Tractor Supply Company

CountyLine Middle Buster - 2128228 | Tractor Supply Company

They do make disks that would better match that BX1500 very, very well. My only concern is that you not expect too much from disking alone. It isn't a substitute for either plowing or roto-tilling first.

 

[bp fick]

Thanks BP. I don't want a real deep cut, I just want to "fly" across my yard and 2, 3 or 4 passes will be OK for me instead of "inch" across it with the tiller being destroyed and me cringing every time it hits a rock.
The page I sent you concerning mowers was not a Landpride but a Taylor Way Page, sorry.

John, for what you want to do, you will be fine. A disk remains an over looked implement that should be in most guys arsenal.

 

[Brad d]

i think you guys are right.. i had this image of just ripping up the land.. but thats not what its going to do.. looks like a small plow would work best.. then i could just till it in.

thanks for the heads up

YouTube - Roper Garden Tractor

 

[Brad d]

Howse Moldboard Plows — 3-Point, Category 1, 14in. Length, Model# MPH114 | Category 1 Cultivators + Tillers | Northern Tool + Equipment
would something like this work?