Chain harrow

Laminarman · May 8, 2004

I see a lot of these chain drag harrows lately. I'm borrowing a plow and discs for my first planting, but don't have a way to smooth the seedbed. This will be clover (one acre total) for deer plots. Instead of a cultipacker or roller, will a drag chain harrow smooth out the soil after discing and then bury the seed after it's spread? Thanks again.

greg_g · May 8, 2004

I have one that I use for pasture and road maintenance, but I don't think I'd use it for your stated purpose. What seed it doesn't damage, would likely be pushed too deep in the freshly softened soil. Germination rates would probably be worse than if you simply broadcast the seed after discing. As you say, it's a deer plot. No sense in treating it like a lawn.

For pasture maintenance I overseed with a TPH broadcast spreader right onto the turf, while towing an 8'x9' spike type chain harrow at the same time. All I want to do is scratch the surface, and give the seed a chance to see some dirt.

How are you going to distribute the clover by the way? The recommended application rate is only 2 pounds to the acre, so it's usually premixed with some other material to ensure equitable seed distribution. For clover only, some folks use sand. But most mix it with other seed/fertilizer/lime/et cetera.

//greg//

Laminarman · May 9, 2004

Thanks Greg

I'm using one of the "designer" deer clover blends. I'll broadcast by hand. They say to use a cultipacker, but I don't feel like buying that equipment for that one sole purpose. Do you think I could adapt a lawn roller (6') wide designed for a garden tractor? I can get one locally for $160 that fills with water. That could make good seed contact.

Soundguy · May 9, 2004

I got a 6' wide one frm tsc for 89 bucks last season.

For what its worth.. if you adjust your rear gang on the disc correctly.. it will really minimize the bumpy texture the disc leaves.

Also... I disced and planted 10 acers of grass 2 years ago in one of my pastures.. I use dthe drag harrow method after discing, and then proadcast spreading.. seemed to work fine to me. I've also seen farmers simply take a railroad tie and two pieces of rope, and drag the tie behind the disc.. it flattens and covers a bit...

as someone else pointed out.. it's only a feedplot.. not a lawn.. spend accordingly..

Soundguy

Laminarman · May 9, 2004

Soundguy

You used a chain harrow after discing? You said drag but don't know if you meant log or chain.

I do have access to some old heavy, round pressure treated timbers 10' long. There are other areas I'd like to scratch up/clean too and I'm not sure a log works here. So if you think a chain harrow will smooth after discing, there are other uses I could use it for and it might be a worthwhile investment.

Chuck_Lind · May 9, 2004

I'm about to plant 40 acres of alfalfa/timothy mix using a broadcast spreader - it's already been plowed and disked - the folks around here tell me let the rain push the seed into the ground. Alfalfa/timothy only needs 1/4" or less depth in the soil for germination.

I hope to harvest at least 35 acres of it; the other 5 acres are for the deer because I know they'll get it anyway.

cowboydoc · May 9, 2004

We've used harrows for years on our seed beds and never had any problems. You don't want to use the rough side. Most drag harrows you just turn them over and run them semi-smooth and it puts just a little dirt over the seed and it germinates nicely.

greg_g · May 9, 2004

Very good point Richard. Since I only scratch gravel and turf, I only "think with the points down". But flipping the chain harrow over on it's back makes good sense in this case.

//greg//

Soundguy · May 10, 2004

Yes.. I used a flexible chain harrow after disc harrowing.. virtually eliminated the ruts from discing.. course I also used my rear gang of discs to help level too.

Soundguy