Disc Harrow Can my Ford/NH model 1920 pull a 6' disc harrow effectively?

[rootytoot]

I have a 1989 Ford model 1920, reasonably good shape, about 550 hours on the proof meter. The tractor is diesel, 4x4, 32hp at PTO, 25hp at drawbar, currently does not have fluid in the tires (though I could put fluid in if it was recommended for the task of discing). I'm thinking of buying a 6' disc harrow, of the usual type with four gangs of four discs, attached via three point hitch. Weights are in the 600lb range, so about 40lb per disc. I'm in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, with soil that is pretty heavy clay content. Do you think that the proposed tool is too much for my tractor? When I inquired at Everything Attachments they pointed me toward a lighter weight, non-adjustable version of a disc harrow, which I took to mean the one I proposed probably was too heavy/too much drag.

I think the one I proposed was the ETA-XD-BF-DH-16-18, which is 18" discs and a weight of 686 pounds. The one Jeremy recommended was ETA-XD-AI-DH-16-16-N.

Thanks for your advice.

Kurt

 

[azbinder]

Suggest a Landpride DH1572 with notched blades, depending on what you are discing. Weighs in at 714# with 18" blades. The 1920 hitch is rated at 1881 lbs.
Also, would recommend loading the rear tires. Will make a big difference.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

You can do it. But all tires need to be filled with weight. We use water and a gallon of anti freeze in the rears. Less than a gallon in fronts with water. We have an older model 1900, about 1980 year. Weight is key. We also have 4 weights on the front bumper. Weight will be your friend in this.

 

[CobyRupert]

Supposedly that tractor is about (edit) 3000lbs and you can add another 600 pounds in the tires. I think it will pull it.
Stay off clay until it’s ready. You can’t rush it or you end up making a mess and perhaps stuck too.

 

[oldnslo]

As a point of reference I pull a 54” inch with 18” discs with my 2400H which is 24 HP and weighs around 2500 lbs with loaded tires and loader frame. No problem pulling it on flat ground.

 

[jeff9366]

Is your Ford 2-WD or 4-WD?

You are marginal in tractor weight and marginal in horsepower for the Disc Harrows suggested. Loaded rear tires will make your tractor less marginal, but still marginal.

Are you primarily interested in smoothing plow furrows, with relatively low penetration, which calls for a Disc with 7" or 7-1/2 pan spacing? Narrow pan spacing provides more implement float, making the implement easier to pull.

Are you primarily interested in penetration, which call for a Disc with 9" pan spacing? Less float with 9" spacing = somewhat deeper penetration.
Penetration will not be very great with any Disc with less than 50 pounds total implement weight bearing on each pan.

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

Disc Harrows come in numerous types. However, for 18-45 horsepower tractors the three point hitch mounted, Tandem Disc Harrow, secondary tillage implement, is ubiquitous. Tandem Disc Harrows are manufactured in two structural types: Angle Iron Frame and Box Frame. Box Frame Disc Harrows are...

www.tractorbynet.com

Have you considered a PTO powered roto-tiller rather than a Disc Harrow? For working < 6 acres a roto-tiller is almost always the better choice for light tractors.


Have you considered an All Purpose Plow / Field Cultivator / Conservation Plow rather than a Disc Harrow?

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

 

[jeff9366]

Ford 1920​

Ford 1920 Power
Engine (gross):	33.3 hp 24.8 kW
Engine (net):	32 hp 23.9 kW
PTO (claimed):	28.5 hp 21.3 kW

Mechanical
Chassis:	4x2 2WD
	4x4 MFWD 4WD

Dimensions
Wheelbase:	69.9 inches 177 cm
Weight:	2849 to 3069 pounds

 

[5030]

Actually, it all depends on how aggressively you set the wings.

 

[rootytoot]

It's four wheel drive. Thank you for your responses. Do you think that pull-behind versus three point mount makes any difference, assuming similar weight per disc, number of discs, and angle of gangs? I'm guessing not.

 

[oldnslo]

Typically 3 point you can pull a little more since part if the weight is carried by the tractor.

 

[jeff9366]

It's four wheel drive. Thank you for your responses. Do you think that pull-behind versus three point mount makes any difference, assuming similar weight per disc, number of discs, and angle of gangs? I'm guessing not.

For a small property a TPH mounted Disc Harrow is much easier transported and more maneuverable. Mounted is my recommendation.

Have you considered a PTO powered roto-tiller rather than a Disc Harrow? For working < 6 acres a roto-tiller is almost always the better choice for light tractors. A Disc Harrow has to be pulled at a brisk pace to redistribute dirt.


Have you considered an All Purpose Plow / Field Cultivator / Conservation Plow rather than a Disc Harrow?

 

[rootytoot]

Thanks, @jeff9366 . Yes, I do have a 5' PTO rototiller. I was thinking of the disc primarily because I was impressed with what my neighbor down the road was able to accomplish with his pull-behind disc. However, he has a stronger tractor, and his soil is better than mine. So, I should probably stick with what I've got. although I'll look into the other implements you mention.

 

[kirkawilson]

I pull a 1978 BushHog Model 1423 tandem disc harrow [4 gangs, (2 front gangs & 2 back gangs), 5 discs per gang] with my NH 1920 4WD, FEL and rear tires loaded. It cuts 7 feet wide with gangs straight across. Bushhog manual says minimum HP is 18. I hafta make multiple passes on 'hardpack' dirt. The 1920 handles the disc harrow fine. Even the 3PH seems to lift it fairly easily.

 

[jeff9366]

I was impressed with what my neighbor down the road was able to accomplish with his pull-behind disc. However, he has a stronger tractor, and his soil is better than mine.

Tractor capability is more closely correlated to tractor weight than any other single (1) specification.

Sufficient tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.

When considering a tractor purchase bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third, rear wheel/tire ballast fourth.

Disc Harrows and PTO powered roto-tillerrs are both soil mixing / soil leveling implements.
For working < 6 acres a roto-tiller is almost always the better choice for light tractors.