CHAIN DRAG HARROW

MtnViewRanch · Sep 25, 2007

mark.r said:
Looking forward to hearing about it. One of my concerns with the Martens (which may indeed be totally unfounded) is that since I will be using it for 90% field/pasture manicuring and breaking up and spreading horse manure, are the teeth too far apart? Will it require me to make several passes over the same peice of property in order to sufficiently spread the material? Again this may not be true but its hard to tell from the pictures on the Martens webiste.

Mark, if you are looking at a 3 pt harrow, think about getting an 8 bar harrow instead of the 5 bar. It will work 60% better for just a little more $$ and should take care of your needs.

Just my opinion.

mark.r · Sep 26, 2007

MtnViewRanch said:
Mark, if you are looking at a 3 pt harrow, think about getting an 8 bar harrow instead of the 5 bar. It will work 60% better for just a little more $$ and should take care of your needs.

Just my opinion.

Any recommendations? It doesn't look like Marten's makes one in 3pt. mount, only in pull type and much wider widths.

ScottOkla · Sep 27, 2007

Darn rain!

It's too wet to get the tractor out until until at least Saturday. Just too much rain and too wet topsoil (excellent water-holding topsoil by the way). I would end up causing more problems than I would be helping with the harrow.

This is the story of much of our summer. We had one 6-week stretch where it was dry enough to rough cut my 5-acre "yard" with the tractor, but the rest of the time, I had to use a riding mower. Good problem to have I guess.

MtnViewRanch · Sep 27, 2007

mark.r said:
Any recommendations? It doesn't look like Marten's makes one in 3pt. mount, only in pull type and much wider widths.

Call and talk to them. I bought an 8 bar 15'er with 3ph earlier this year. He will still make them, just have to ask.

I believe that all the 5 bar 3ph harrows can also be had in an 8 bar as well, just not as popular I guess.

mark.r · Sep 28, 2007

MtnViewRanch said:
Call and talk to them. I bought an 8 bar 15'er with 3ph earlier this year. He will still make them, just have to ask. I believe that all the 5 bar 3ph harrows can also be had in an 8 bar as well, just not as popular I guess.

Thanks I will do that. If I could get a 7.5ft. in an 8 bar 3pt. for a couple hundred bucks more that would make me happy.

mark.r · Oct 5, 2007

My fields are so bad now that I had to make a move so I ended up ordering the Martens 3pt. harrow. I asked Mr. Marten (who was very accomodating) about an 8 bar unit and he said that they used to offer that model but there was not enough interest in it and the shipping on it was as much as the unit itself due to weight. All said and done I made a decision and when with it. It will ship Tuesday. With the weather in VA at near August temps I should be able to get out and use it in my fields to break up and spread some of the horse manure I have out there. I will report back.

ScottOkla · Oct 5, 2007

I finally tried mine for about 1 hour today. I probably need to wait another two or three days in order for the top to dry out enough to break up the ground better, instead if making nice smooth cuts in the wet soil.

I also had problems with the unit digging in only in the front or back of the unit (first two or last two bars only) depending on how high I had the 3ph set. I will experiment with added weight when the ground dries a bit.

I do think it will have some trouble doing much in sod. Where the soil was exposed a bit, it did OK.

mark.r · Oct 6, 2007

ScottOkla said:
I also had problems with the unit digging in only in the front or back of the unit (first two or last two bars only) depending on how high I had the 3ph set. I will experiment with added weight when the ground dries a bit.

Can this be adjusted out using the top link?

ScottOkla · Oct 7, 2007

Chains are used as the method of lifting the rear of the harrow, so adjusting the top link helped me to some extent, but there is no extra force applied to the rear to keep it in contact with the ground.

mark.r · Oct 8, 2007

ScottOkla said:
Chains are used as the method of lifting the rear of the harrow, so adjusting the top link helped me to some extent, but there is no extra force applied to the rear to keep it in contact with the ground.

Right. Hmmm, anyway to add some weight? I hope this is not a serious problem since I just ordered mine.