Disc Harrow What size disc can I pull with my compact JD 4520 ?

[flusher]

I have a JD compact 4520 4x4 with wheel weights and loader. It is 53 HP. I am looking for disc and am trying to decide what size disc I can pull. I just had some clearing done and intend to put in food plots. the area is about 150 feet wide and 1100 feet long. About 3 1/2 acres. I have 2 other small plots. I really wonder if I can pull a 10 foot wheeled disc ? Just joined this sight and would really appreciate any insight someone could share. I see an international 470 on craigslist. It has wings but am thinking of removing them and using the main disc. Am I stupid ?? I also don't understand anything about disc. Like any tool there has to be a differance but right now I need some advise on disc size.

I pulled an 8-ft wide wheel disc with my Mahindra 5525 diesel (55 hp engine, ag tires, loaded) with no trouble in fairly dry soil. That disc is a tandem disc (4 axles in an X configuration) that's useful for secondary tillage in thick soil and primary tillage in dry soil. I cut down a 13-ft wheel disc to make that 8-ft disc that my tractor could handle. Paid $600 for the 13-footer.

There is another type of pull disc called an offset disc (two axles in a V configuration). It's a primary tillage tool designed to work on non-plowed soil. One limitation is that you can only make left turns with an offset disc unless it's a wheel disc version that would allow you to raise the disc and make right or left hand turns.

Good luck.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

. . .

There is another type of pull disc called an offset disc (two axles in a V configuration). It's a primary tillage tool designed to work on non-plowed soil. One limitation is that you can only make left turns with an offset disc unless it's a wheel disc version that would allow you to raise the disc and make right or left hand turns.

Good luck.

Even with the pull-type offset disc, you're supposed to only turn left. That's because the frame of the disc on the right side is much closer to the tractor than it is on the left side. You CAN make a right turn (with the disc raised out of the ground) but you have to make a wide sweeping turn, and you have to be VERY careful to keep an eye on the distance between the tractor's right rear tire and the disc frame.

I learned this the hard way. I got cocky (when I was younger) and cut a right turn too sharp. The disc frame caught the right rear tire of the tractor and started walking up the tractor tire. If not caught soon enough, the disc can wind up on top of the operator. People have been injured or killed doing that.

 

[flusher]

Righto.