Disc Harrow Selection For 18-45 Horsepower Tractors (Revision 2b)

[jeff9366]

I can't advise on chain scrapers. In my part of Florida we never have mud.

 

[Degolyerent]

Thanks Jeff -

Do I create a loop with the chain -- connecting the ends, or connect loosely around the axle with an end dangling between discs. Also, what size of chain?

Create a loop connecting the ends between the disc

 

[Keadog]

Very nice thread. My 2001 6.5' King Kutter has the left front gang damage "beyond repair" according to my
Kubota dealer, so I'm in the market for a new one.
I have an L4300 with R1s and a 5740 hydro cab with R4s. It's mainly for food plot work and opening new food plots from pasture (mainly Timothy grass). I will probably want to use the 5740 since it has a cab.
Trees aren't a problem but my barn door is only 9' wide so it has to be 8' or under to fit in the barn.
I want to go as deep as possible, so I'm thinking at least 20" notched discs.
Suggestions? Thanks.

 

[jeff9366]

Using information from Howse Disc Harrow Operator's Manual as an example:

Howse DHT-20>>>20/20">>>7-1/2' width>>>9" pan spacing>>>1-1/8" axle>>>Cat I/II>>>1,068 pounds = 53.4 pounds per pan>>> Suggested HP = 50-65 ((conservative suggestion; 45-hp with 4-WD would be fine.)

Howse discs are all notched/notched pans. Good to go for food plots.

Other brands of 20/20" Disc Harrows will spec close to Howse 20/20".

You can buy from Howse direct, but in my case it was cheaper to buy from my local Howse dealer.


Howse DHT-24 is 9' wide, too wide for your door.

 

[jeff9366]

The rings I am talking about look like a key ring in design, but have a flared end that allows easy starting whether installing or removing. Just a suggestion.

Nomenclature for this taper-ended security ring is a RING COTTER. Hard to find in hardware stores, more available in marine supply stores; intermittently available in 1" and 1-1/2" sizes on eBay.

 

[jeff9366]

West Marine has RING COTTERS in tractor useful sizes.


LINK:
WEST MARINE Stainless-Steel Cotter Rings | West Marine

 

[fried1765]

I am looking at 5-6"' box frame disc harrows. I have ruled out all 5.0' discs because they are too narrow for my 62" wheel spacing.
I do like the Everything Attachments 68" box frame model, but I think their formed channel shaped hangers could clog easily with debris.
Then too, EA wants an EXTRA $175 for shipping, and $136 more for lift gate delivery. The trucking terminal is 75+ miles away, and due to my personal situation, pickup would be very inconvenient for me.
All things considered, I have pretty much decided on the Taylor Pittsburgh 5-6" box frame disc (with 18" discs). For me, the TP box frame delivered price, is $400 less than the EA box frame delivered price.
My question now is about weight. The EA disc has a listed weight of 686#, the TP disc has a listed weight of 808#
Will my Ford 1920 3pt. readily handle the 808 pound weight of the Taylor 377-16-18CF77 disc?

 

[jeff9366]

TRACTORDATA LINK: https://www.google.com/url?q=http:/...ds-cse&usg=AFQjCNG6kz5wfpt3-1qew6jFUhXQiA3xVg

Tractordata shows 3-Pts lift capacity for Ford 1920 @ 1,886 pounds, tractor weight 3,000, tractor width with ag tires: 59".

Your Ford 1920 tractor will have no problem lifting 808 pound Disc Harrow, nor pulling it.

I am writing a thread on ADJUSTING Tandem Disc Harrows. Take a look at the Beta version:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ing-three-point-hitch-mounted.html?highlight=

 

[fried1765]

My 4x4 Ford 1920 has a loader that weighs 800 pounds, and also has loaded tires (windshield washer fluid), for extra weight of 400 lbs per tire.
The total tractor weight is likely close to 4600 lbs.
My AG tires are 14.9 x 24, which are wider than the stock tires shown in the Tractor data info.

The Taylor Pittsburgh 377-16-18-CF77 is a 16 disc layout with 18" discs, and 7-1/2" spacing.
At 808 lbs., and 16 discs, that should be about 50 lbs. per disc.

I will probably only use the disc for food plots, so I don't think I need the extra smoothing of a 20 disc layout.

 

[jeff9366]

Since this was written, April 2014, I sold my 2,000 pound bare weight Kubota B3300SU and purchased a new 3,700 pound bare weight Kubota 'Grand L' L3560. To fully utilize the greater pulling power of the heavier L3560, I sold the Howse and purchased a 915 pound, wider, Monroe Tufline Disc Harrow with 20" diameter pans.

Monroe Tufline 18/20" Disc Harrow Review: Disc Harrow - TANDEM LIFT DISC HAROW, Monroe Tufline 18/20", TH971820B, REVIEW

 

[kevin37b]

Earlier, on another thread, I remember reading about a technique to prevent the discs from picking-up soil which sticks between - and gets packed in tight. It involved chains, but I can't locate the post now.

Can somebody help? This happens to me, particularly on the notched discs.

Scrapers

 

[kevin37b]

I hit the button too quick . You need real spring loaded scrapers , not chains . Jeffs info is very good . A disc is not a primary tillage tool . Chisel plow or ripper , then disc . TTH

 

[jeff9366]

Here is a thread on ADJUSTING the Tandem Disc Harrow:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ing-three-point-hitch-mounted.html?highlight=

 

[jeff9366]

A disc is not a primary tillage tool . For primary tillage, chisel plow or rip, then disc .

Dirt Dog - All Purpose Plow / Field Cultivator REVIEW + PICTURES

Dirt Dog All Purpose Plow / Field Cultivator Dirt Dog Model APP 66-5 Total Width 66", Working Width 62", Five Tines, Weight 284 Pounds, Paid $835.00 (2010) Field Cultivator: A Three Point Hitch mounted, secondary tillage implement, used to perform operations such as soil aeration...

www.tractorbynet.com

A moldboard plow / turning plow is the most traditional of primary tillage implements.

 

[jyoutz]

Dirt Dog - All Purpose Plow / Field Cultivator REVIEW + PICTURES

Dirt Dog All Purpose Plow / Field Cultivator Dirt Dog Model APP 66-5 Total Width 66", Working Width 62", Five Tines, Weight 284 Pounds, Paid $835.00 (2010) Field Cultivator: A Three Point Hitch mounted, secondary tillage implement, used to perform operations such as soil aeration...

www.tractorbynet.com

A moldboard plow / turning plow is the most traditional of primary tillage implements.

I have the Fred Cain cultivator (same type of product as the all purpose plow). It is a fantastic initial soil preparation tool. Something that will break the ground prior to discing. I use mine prior to rototilling.

 

[Egon]

Disk’s are a common primary tillage tool In agriculture. All it takes is the proper sized equipment.

Tillage equipment:

A Tillage Tool ‘Primer’ for Equipment Dealers

The reasons why farmers till the soil haven’t changed much over the past several decades, but the tools they use have evolved in significant ways. The proliferation of implements developed to cultivate farm fields have greatly refined tillage operations, while at the same time trying to figure...

www.farm-equipment.com

 

[mgboddy]

This is a encyclopedic summary! Excellent. Thanks for taking the time and effort.

 

[wkg2013]

I have a 4 wd 4410 JD. I intend to disc up a section for a food plot. The section

was tilled 2 years in a row 2 years ago but is now regrown with field grasses. It has been brush hogged. I know nothing about using a disc harrow. The soil I intend to disc is hard clay.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a 4 wd 4410 JD. I intend to disc up a section for a food plot. The section

was tilled 2 years in a row 2 years ago but is now regrown with field grasses. It has been brush hogged. I know nothing about using a disc harrow. The soil I intend to disc is hard clay.

A section of land is 640 acres.

Hard for me to imagine a food plot of that size ~~ but maybe so.

Please clarify.

 

[wkg2013]

I was referring to a section of my property. Approximately 2 - 3 acres. Thank you for correcting me. Im sure no one would be able to answer my question without that distinción.