Disc Harrow Disc and other equipment recommendation for Ford 950

[Kando]

Hello TBN, as stated in the title I'm looking for recommendations on equipment for a Ford 950 tractor. 40 HP, 3280-6475 lbs listed on tractordata, rear tires are 13.(4? 8? Not quite sure, it's at grandparents place. Most likely won't be out till the weekend to check for sure) instead of the standard 12 width. Tires are weighted, not sure how much added though plus a FEL. Outside to outside width of the rear tires is around 76 inches by tape measure. I'm thinking a 7 ft disc is all I'll need, just enough to cover the tire width. Idea is redoing hay fields for now, might take over the rest of the land for crop once I get the equipment for it. Right now just looking to start with hay. Approximately 10-15 acres of ground to cover. It's been around 20+ years since the field was last planted with alfalfa.

Edit: I've got a plow, dearborn 10-156 2-14", forgot to mention.

 

[jeff9366]

LINK: TractorData.com Ford 950 tractor information

If you are buying new:

Disc Harrow widths are measured at widest part with the gangs "straight". They are never used in the field this way as they would not cut. To cut, the gang angles are swept back, the front more than the rear, decreasing the effective width. So, you need a Disc Harrow which a manufacturer would promote as 8'-0" to 8'-6". It will be a bear Discing with that tri-cylce tractor with manual steering.

Plowing and a SOIL TEST and soil amendment with deficient micro-nutrients well worth the time.

You will need a Disc Harrow with 20" diameter pans, cutting 6" to 8" deep to reasonably flatten the furrows from a 14" plow. I do not think the Ford 950 can pull a Disc Harrow with 22" diameter pans on a second pass, when the soil is fluffy and the tractor and Disc Harrow sink in.

A Disc Harrow with rear pan spacing of 7" or 7-1/2" will smooth after the plow better than a disc with 9" rear pan spacing.

If you buy used, make sure the Disc Harrow is not so banged up, not so rusted, so that it is impossible to adjust the front and rear gang angles.

You will need to disc twice, at 45 degree angles, then drag repeatedly to get the field smooth. I would take time to get it smooth so the field does not pound you indefinitely into the future. (Tractor owners inquiring how to smooth fields/pastures is one of the most common threads here on T-B-N.)

Contemporary seeds are much more productive than the old stuff ~~ but you have to fertilize to obtain the greater yield.

Consider if aerating/ripping the pasture, then amending and overseeing, might meet your needs and be less work. (I am old. Thinking of manual steering and multiple passes makes my shoulders ache.)


LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/308251-disc-harrow-selection-18-45-a.html?highlight=

I hope your 45 year old tractor does not become a money pit.


Photos: Dirt Dog (brand) APP/Field Cultivator aerating Bahia pasture, growing on Florida sandy-loam.

VIDEO: Cultivator/Ripper - YouTube

 

[Kando]

Hello Jeff, thanks for the reply. The tractor has done well making hay and still runs strong, so hopefully it'll keep going. It has power steering but play in the steering still makes me ache after a few hours. Don't know if it can be tightened up or if it just comes from having a tri-cycle tractor. (Still young and dumb yet, so I'm not too worried about it, although I'm sure preparing a field will be an experience.) I was looking into KK and howse but find no discs listed in the 8' range.

 

[Kando]

I've seen a 9' pull type for 1500 around locally, not sure as to the condition or weight. Thoughts?

 

[jeff9366]

I have owned Howse. OK for hobby farm use. Same for King Kutter.

I use Montroe Tufline now. Big Ag quality/weight and proportionally priced: TH & TH/BF Series Tandem Lift Disc Harrows | Tufline

LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/332493-tandem-lift-disc-harow-monroe.html?highlight=



There is nothing wrong with a used Disc Harrow. I have no experience with towed/pulled Disc Harrows.

Here is info on towed/pulled discs from the TBN archive: Google:TBN

LINK: Heavy Equipment Disc Harrows Attachments | eBay

 

[Kando]

Update for tire size, 5.5x16 on front (tractordata lists 6x16) and 14.9x28 on the rear.

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota dealers are all Land Pride distributors.

LINK: Dirtworking | Land Pride Disc Harrows

 

[Kando]

I've been looking at that DH2596 from land pride, 4 dealers within 20 miles. Checked the pull type disc that is nearby, a white 252 according to the sign. Measured the gangs at 12'6" set as they were, not sure of the angle but rear gangs are seized, front I could move by hand, lot of rust. Decided against.

 

[jeff9366]

Decided against; rear gangs are seized, front I could move by hand, lot of rust.

Good decision. Old Discs are almost impossible to take apart. Not worth the time.

 

[jeff9366]

DH2596 with 20" pans, notched front and notched rear, would be good for your land, following the 2 X 14" plow.

All LP Disc Harrows have 7-1/2" pan spacing, front and rear.

For some odd reason, LP only shows one weight, 1,143 pounds, for the DH2596 in its paper catalog. In the real world there will be a variance of around 240 pounds between the DH2596 with 20" pans and same with 22" pans. Omissions always make me suspicious.

I would ask the dealers to clarify weight. You want at least forty pounds total Disc Harrow weight bearing on each pan.

(24 pans X 40 pounds = 960 pounds minimum total Disc Harrow weight.)


Rather tricky. You need large diameter, heavy pans to cut down to near bottom of plow furrows, and move at a brisk clip, to mix and even soil. But too heavy an implement may stall out your 2-WD tractor. You need to smooth in no more than two brisk passes with the Disc Harrow, then drag.

I am staying with my 20" pan diameter recommendation.

LP discs not available in blue paint, just cream and orange.