CHAIN DRAG HARROW USES

[Glowplug]

I know that chain drag harrows are used primarily for pasture maintenance, dethatching, and seedbed preparation. But I feel sure they can be used for so much more. Does anyone have any good recommendations, suggestions, or experience with uses for a drag harrow? Both normal boring traditional uses as well as totally unique uses are welcome! And, of course, photos are encouraged!! Looking for reasons to justify getting one!

 

[atgreene]

I hook my 6x8 to my excavator bucket and rotate the house around and around and back off large fields/areas that I have been digging in for a final grading. Erases all the tracks, smooths out the low/high spots and does an all around nice job.

The only down side, I get dizzy as all get out. I'm not good on carnival rides either. (Insert barfing smiley here).

 

[Glowplug]

I hook my 6x8 to my excavator bucket and rotate the house around and around and back off large fields/areas that I have been digging in for a final grading. Erases all the tracks, smooths out the low/high spots and does an all around nice job.

The only down side, I get dizzy as all get out. I'm not good on carnival rides either. (Insert barfing smiley here).

Too bad you don't have a picture!
Also too bad we don't have a barfing smiley on THIS forum!

 

[greg_g]

Horse (and cattle) owners report they're good for breaking up and dispersing clods of manure in the pasture. And dressing horse rings. One fella used one to dress ATV trails through the woods.

I once let one of my pastures go too long between mowings, and ended up with a bumper crop of brome sage seed heads. After finally getting them mowed, I used the chain harrow to rake the seed heads into a long row for a controlled burn. (I didn't own a landscape rake at the time). Of course, it helps that I can lift mine with the three point hitch. Otherwise it's a bit difficult to windrow with a chain harrow.

When I finally bought a landscape rake, I found it better suited for seedbed prep. Once the seed/fertilizer is spread, I then follow with the chain harrow to cover it. Once the seed germinates, you could fool people into believing it was done with a no-till drill.

//greg//

 

[meadowlarkponds]

Here's one...just used mine to finish out a small baseball infield area. Bunch of family coming for the 4th and we needed an infield for the kids games. Did a great job of smoothing it out.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I know that chain drag harrows are used primarily for pasture maintenance, dethatching, and seedbed preparation. But I feel sure they can be used for so much more. Does anyone have any good recommendations, suggestions, or experience with uses for a drag harrow? Both normal boring traditional uses as well as totally unique uses are welcome! And, of course, photos are encouraged!! Looking for reasons to justify getting one!

Are you sure that a chain harrow is what you think that you want? Or do you want a fixed bar harrow like this?

 

[mjncad]

Did you make that harrow Brian? Do you have any other pictures of it?

 

[Cottonhawk]

My chain drag has a three point attachment set up. It's a very useful attachment. I use it for pasture maintenance, breaking up the horse manure, leveling field, and groom gravel. It does a wonderful job with gravel.

 

[sunspot]

Brian,
Nice setup. How big is that harrow? What brand is it?

 

[LBrown59]

** Of course, it helps that I can lift mine with the three point hitch. Otherwise it's a bit difficult to windrow with a chain harrow.

//greg//

Wouldn't want to use one I couldn't lift.Er make that one the tractor couldn't lift.

 

[DavidT2]

Is there any "rule of thumb" to determine the proper size of chain drag harrow for one's tractor? TIA

David

 

[Charlesaf3]

any thoughts on who to buy a chain harrow from?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Did you make that harrow Brian? Do you have any other pictures of it?

No I didn't make my harrow, it is a Martens harrow. 3 Point
Sorry, but don't have any pictures that show them any better.

 

[greg_g]

any thoughts on who to buy a chain harrow from?

No farm supply stores near you? That's where I got mine. Bought four 16 square foot sections and a drawbar. Hooked them all together, then made a lift frame from used steel pipe. Added an extension to a conventional boom pole to balance the load on the three point hitch.

//greg//

 

[Glowplug]

Are you sure that a chain harrow is what you think that you want? Or do you want a fixed bar harrow like this?

Brian you know me. I think I want all sorts of things. And that's about all I ever get to do. . .think. I never get around to buying any new implements because I don't have any time (or money) left!

Seriously, I thought I would like a chain drag harrow with a 3pt lift. I like the idea of the chain drag being able to follow the contours of the land which I'm not too sure would be possible with the Marten's harrow. Of course that isn't really an issue if you have relatively flat land. My land is relatively flat but I would eventually like to carve some trails through the wooded mountainous land of my in-laws. That is whenever I get my box blade with hydraulic scarifiers!!

 

[davkir]

These folks make a good one. ( Loyal - Roth Manufacturing - Tine Harrows )
Tractor Supply sells them around here.

 

[Hookblock]

I use mine upside down to finish my drive after using the BB, I got mine from TS

 

[mark.r]

No I didn't make my harrow, it is a Martens harrow. 3 Point
Sorry, but don't have any pictures that show them any better.

I use a Marten's harrow as well. In fact, that is my Kioti DK on the Marten's website link that Brian has linked in his post. Brian's I assume is a 12 or 15ft. model while mine is 7.5ft. model.

 

[Glowplug]

These folks make a good one. ( Loyal - Roth Manufacturing - Tine Harrows )
Tractor Supply sells them around here.

That's about the kind I think I would like, with a 3-pt lift. Locating one to purchase would not be a problem for me. All the equipment dealerships around here have them. There are two such dealerships I drive past most every day. I just want to see how some of the TBNers are using theirs for mine and other's inspiration!

I had found these about a year ago at Country Manufacturing. They are about what I would want but I feel like I may be able to get the same cheaper locally.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Mine is an 8 bar 15 footer.