off-set disc

[smb]

Can someone explain the difference between an off-set disc and a tandem disc? Where is it best to use one or the other? I have a 62 HP crawler (Lamborghini C603) that I plan to pull a disc for cultivating a hill vineyard. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[grnspot110]

An off-set disk looks like 1/2 of a tandem disk, usually heavier, used for deeper tillage. While the tandem disk (not a "plow disk"), is used for secondary tillage, after plowing or lighter work than an off-set. ~~ grnspot

 

[flusher]

Can someone explain the difference between an off-set disc and a tandem disc? Where is it best to use one or the other? I have a 62 HP crawler (Lamborghini C603) that I plan to pull a disc for cultivating a hill vineyard. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Offset discs (small size, under 7-8 ft wide) have two axles arranged in a "V" configuration, are generally built heavy, and are used for primary tillage.

Tandem discs have 4 axles arranged in an "X" configuration, generally are built lighter than offsets, and are used for secondary tillage after plowing with a moldboard plow or offset disc.

 

[smb]

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like I need an off-set disk for my application since I don't plan to plow. Trying to keep the weeds down and the top turned to maintain moisture for dry farming. Any advise on sturdy off set discs around 8feet wide? Do they normally come with tires to haul around on roads? Thanks

 

[flusher]

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like I need an off-set disk for my application since I don't plan to plow. Trying to keep the weeds down and the top turned to maintain moisture for dry farming. Any advise on sturdy off set discs around 8feet wide? Do they normally come with tires to haul around on roads? Thanks

The larger offsets (10+ ft wide) generally are configured as wheel discs. My offset is an old 6.5 ft wide Towner pull type disc without transport wheels. A neighbor gave it to me and I fixed it up (a few new pans, new grease zerks).
I added about 500 lb of extra weight to get it to work better.



In soft soil my 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto, maybe 40 hp on the drawbar) works hard to get that offset disc moving fast enough (5 mph or so) to work effectively.

Here's info on a 9-ft offset disc with wheels. Looks pretty pricey.

Iowa Farm Equipment -- Taylor-Way Heavy Duty Offset Disc Harrow

Here are some 3pt hitch versions

ETOX Series - Extra heavy duty lift type offset disc harrow - Erb & Roberts, Inc.

Good luck.

 

[smb]

Thanks for the great photos flusher. My tractor is a crawler with around 60 HP so I may have some difficulty as well with a 8 foot disc, especially since I am on hills. Guess I just give it a go and see what works.

 

[whodat526]

johndeere made and still makes a 7ft pull type wheeled offset disc they are heavy but are imo probably the best offset made

 

[grnspot110]

We pulled this 9' off-set with a 1958 JD 720D (54 HP);

 

[Bigfoot62]

If you want the best off-set disc made, here ya' go:
ROME TAW20-28 Disks For Sale At TractorHouse.com

But, I would suggest a pull-type tandem. Something like this:
JOHN DEERE 105 Disks For Sale At TractorHouse.com

 

[whodat526]

We pulled this 9' off-set with a 1958 JD 720D (54 HP);

i have on idencal but 7.5ft and know where 6 more is being run i love mine

 

[Barry Bowen]

We pulled this 9' off-set with a 1958 JD 720D (54 HP);

I do not know how you pull that disc with 54HP. You may move it, but working it is another story. You need to run pretty good speed, 5-7 MPH. Any less and you are not getting out of the disc what it is capable of. I have that same JD disc, and when you put it all the way in the ground, 80 HP is not enough to hold proper speed. Usually I pull it with my 1066 IH (over 100 HP, and pushing 18-20K in weight) That JD disc works that tractor, and tears up a lot of dirt off the tires when it is being used.

If all you have is 62 HP to pull this, you will need a small off set to match to your tractor.

 

[grnspot110]

I do not know how you pull that disc with 54HP. You may move it, but working it is another story. You need to run pretty good speed, 5-7 MPH. Any less and you are not getting out of the disc what it is capable of. I have that same JD disc, and when you put it all the way in the ground, 80 HP is not enough to hold proper speed. Usually I pull it with my 1066 IH (over 100 HP, and pushing 18-20K in weight) That JD disc works that tractor, and tears up a lot of dirt off the tires when it is being used.

If all you have is 62 HP to pull this, you will need a small off set to match to your tractor.

Dad bought that disk new around 1969 & quit moldboard plowing. Wheels up in 4th gear on the 720, tractor pulled it just fine! As memory serves, we were probably running up to 5" deep, depending on the ground. We would also use a JD spring chisel every few years, again depending on the ground. It started out with 20 or 22" blades, when I sold it 1-1/2 years ago the biggest blades were 18". ~~ grnspot

 

[Barry Bowen]

The 720 was quite a puller as were all the two bangers. Lots and lots of torque! Even though they were not high HP, they could pull. IIRC, that was a 4 bottom tractor. Take a current 53 HP tractor and try to pull a 4 bottom plow, good luck.

I do have to say that I have 22" blades on my disc, and they are set as aggressively as they will go, so it really takes a bite when I pick up the gear. I also pull it with the 1066 in 5th and 6th gear which can top out pushing 8 MPH all wound up.