Disc for JD 5303

[clemsonfor]

I looked at the CCM tillers and they appear to be well built and reasonably priced. At this point I am leaning toward staying with a disk. I have never used any with the scrapers mentioned above although I understand their purpose. I have had no issues with material sticking to the blades so intended to pass on them as an option. I see where the Tufline and Frontier are comparably weighted and priced. When looking at the Howse it appears comparable too, just less expensive. I have looked at some others that I do not consider an option. The Howse unit, according to specs., appears to be built of like materials and the weights reflect that. What am I missing that would make the more expensive units more desireable? I would be curious to hear both of your opinions on the Howse unit. You can see them along with price by looking up Watts Brothers Distributing and go to whole goods. This is a local company for me. They are about 10 to 15 miles away.

The higher priced 2 are JD green and one is sold at the JD dealer!

 

[deere5105]

The higher priced 2 are JD green and one is sold at the JD dealer!

The Tufline units seem to be running the highest with the Frontier(JD Green) close behind. I wouldn't mind spending the extra money if there was a return on the investment. I see this as being a lifetime purchase and want it to last and match the performance of the tractor as far as sizing is concerned. My total time pulling the disk would likely be 40-50 hours annually. I put another 100-150 hours with miscellaneous work and primarily running the rotary cutter.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

deere5105, I can not make a fair comment on any of those discs without seeing them in person. What I can say is that it has been my experience that when it comes to new implements, you usually get what you pay for. This is not to say that the more economical units won't work fine for you with your conditions and situation. What I will say is that if I were using them to make $$$$, I would get one of the heavier higher priced units.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think Tuffline is made in Columbus, MS. correct me if I am wrong?

Of those you have listed my vote so far would be for the Tuffline TL43 92022 purely from the specs and that is 71 lbs/blade. In tough ground in your area this will take several passes., This still seems a little light from my experience. I prefer disks that are easier to adjust the set on, this disk is average in that regard. And as Brian mentioned heavier duty blades are a real plus.

Here is a link to another good disk manufacturer in MS. Amco makes good stuff, I had a 6' offset wheeled disk years ago that I was very satisfied with.
http://www.amcomfg.com/brushmaster.html

I like the 1/4" blade thickness, regreaseable bearings, 1 1/2" shafts and higher weight /blade.

 

[Travis_R]

Although I'd love to have a tiller, I have been very pleased with my disks. It is a 6.5' United 20 x 18 model 600. I pull it with a Massey Ferguson 231 utility tractor. 38 engine hp/34 pto hp. Tractor weighs 4,065 lbs. and it does NOT have water in the tires. It pulls the disks excellent...

 

[deere5105]

That Amco unit looks nice, but they are proud of it! I am in no rush to make a decision on this, but am starting the inquiry. Seems there are many different brands and types out there. I have a 6' and 8' I can use now, but am looking to add one down the road. Thanks again for all of the input.

 

[jenkinsph]

That Amco unit looks nice, but they are proud of it! I am in no rush to make a decision on this, but am starting the inquiry. Seems there are many different brands and types out there. I have a 6' and 8' I can use now, but am looking to add one down the road. Thanks again for all of the input.

There are other models of Amco disks that are not currently made, if I was in your locale I would be happy with a good used one. Amco is one of the best builders of heavy duty disks imo. Fortunately for you they are close by.

 

[deere5105]

I have been looking at several different brands and am back to considering function versus cost. I am strongly leaning toward the heavy duty Howse 7.5' with 20-22" blades on 9" spacing. Axle size is 1 1/8" with ball bearings and weight is approximately 1100 lbs. This unit is about $1000 to $2000 less than many of the other brand units and is only giving up a couple hundred pounds in weight. Attached are a couple of pictures of the Howse unit and a couple of a "Marion" brand that the dealer has custom made out of state at an unknown to me shop. Could look at the 6.5' unit they have that is identical to above except has scrapers and is 1600 lbs(400 lbs more) for about $700 more. Having a hard time justifying the extra cost. Any opinions based on the pics?

 

[trook]

To me, the Howse looks identical to the United and Frontier disks

 

[deere5105]

To me, the Howse looks identical to the United and Frontier disks

My thoughts exactly. I have looked them over pretty close and can't find a reason not to like the Howse...except for some are a little heavier and a lot more expensive. Here are a few more pictures I had.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Weight is your friend for this chore, get the heaviest one that you can afford.

 

[deere5105]

Weight is your friend for this chore, get the heaviest one that you can afford.

So do you reach a point where you have enough weight at a certain amount, maybe per blade, or is the consensus you can't get enough? The "Marion" brand, which again appears to be shop made but with no brand name, is available in an 8' unit that has 20-22" blades and weighs 1850 lbs for $3098. They also have a 6.5' unit that has, I think, 16-22" blades and weighs 1600 lbs for $2648. The Howse 7.5' unit is 1100 lbs with 20-22" blades for $2207. I previously posted pictures of both the Howse and the "Marion". The dealer explained that "Marion" is just a name they market some of their custom made equipment under. They indicated they don't sale many of these units since most applications don't require such a heavy unit.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

So do you reach a point where you have enough weight at a certain amount, maybe per blade, or is the consensus you can't get enough? The "Marion" brand, which again appears to be shop made but with no brand name, is available in an 8' unit that has 20-22" blades and weighs 1850 lbs for $3098. They also have a 6.5' unit that has, I think, 16-22" blades and weighs 1600 lbs for $2648. The Howse 7.5' unit is 1100 lbs with 20-22" blades for $2207. I previously posted pictures of both the Howse and the "Marion". The dealer explained that "Marion" is just a name they market some of their custom made equipment under. They indicated they don't sale many of these units since most applications don't require such a heavy unit.

This is just my opinion, try to get as much weight as you can pull with the blades axle deep, maximum angle up the steepest hill that you are going to disk. What that is in your case, I have no idea. I know that I have an old(restored) John Deere-Kielfer 8' offset pull disk, weighs 2000+lbs. I pull it with a 75hp, 12,000lb tractor and there are times that it is all that the tractor will do to pull it. If you don't care about having to lift your disk, then get the 8 footer. To be honest with you, without knowing more about your conditions, I would probably get the 7.5' Howse unit . The price is right, you'll have 55lbs per blade, and it's wide enough that it won't take you forever to get an area disked up. I doubt that your tractor would pull the 8', 1850lb unit in the conditions that I described. That's 92.5lbs per blade plus all the drag, it would be a real load that's for sure.
I don't know how much disking that you have done, but it makes a HUGE difference on the moisture content of the earth and how often you disk the ground. Are you doing this to earn money, or what? If for money and you don't know what or when the schedule might be, then you might be better off with the 6.5' unit and the extra weight per blade. At 100lbs per blade, it should do some serious tilling.

Good luck, here's a pic of mine.

 

[deere5105]

This is just my opinion, try to get as much weight as you can pull with the blades axle deep, maximum angle up the steepest hill that you are going to disk. What that is in your case, I have no idea. I know that I have an old(restored) John Deere-Kielfer 8' offset pull disk, weighs 2000+lbs. I pull it with a 75hp, 12,000lb tractor and there are times that it is all that the tractor will do to pull it. If you don't care about having to lift your disk, then get the 8 footer. To be honest with you, without knowing more about your conditions, I would probably get the 7.5' Howse unit . The price is right, you'll have 55lbs per blade, and it's wide enough that it won't take you forever to get an area disked up. I doubt that your tractor would pull the 8', 1850lb unit in the conditions that I described. That's 92.5lbs per blade plus all the drag, it would be a real load that's for sure.
I don't know how much disking that you have done, but it makes a HUGE difference on the moisture content of the earth and how often you disk the ground. Are you doing this to earn money, or what? If for money and you don't know what or when the schedule might be, then you might be better off with the 6.5' unit and the extra weight per blade. At 100lbs per blade, it should do some serious tilling.

Good luck, here's a pic of mine.

I doubt I could pull the unit you show in the pictures. I have calculated my tractor weight to be around 7600 lbs and is 64 HP at engine. Just in looking at the 8' 1850 lbs unit they have, it looks too big. My gut feeling is to decide between the 7.5' Howse at 1100 lbs or the 6.5' Marion at 1600 lbs. At this time, none of what I do is for pay. It is typically tilling previously tilled ground for food plots and garden spots. I would hate to spend money on something to only later find out that I have a hard time pulling it and can't get the full benefit of the weight. Was looking last night at the 6.5' BushHog box blade I currently have on the 3pt hitch. It covers the tires, but without much room to spare. As for going through tight spaces, the 6.5' would give less worry, but in the open spaces the extra foot would be helpful for covering ground and covering the seed after spreading. One thing the dealer mentioned was that he would prefer to see the heavier Marion unit with heavier axles than the 1 1/8" that are on it, which is also what is on the Howse.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

deere5105, the 1 1/8" axles are fine for your use in my opinion. I'm thinking the 7.5' unit is going to be the one that works the best for you.

Just my :2cents:

 

[The Tractor Guy 22]

For Spring conditions a good rule of thumb is at least 45 pounds/blade. For dry hard soil the minimum is around 60 pounds/blade. Of course there are large ag. disks used for one pass primary tillage that are upwards of 200 pounds/blade, but thats a different story.
For hauling definitely go with a 3pt disk. The JD DH1396 will be the best match for you. They have 2 models: 7.5" spacing w/56 lbs per blade, and 9" spacing w/ 63 lbs per blade.
With that said, a 15 series drag disk will perform better with your tractor but make hauling a pain in the a**.
Here is a pic of the DH1280 on a Carson 20' 12K trailer.- not much room to spare!

 

[The Tractor Guy 22]

Other thing, don't just look at total weight of the disk. What you really need to be looking at is weight per blade.
Simple math to find it is- Total weight divided by number of blades equals weight per blade.

 

[deere5105]

For Spring conditions a good rule of thumb is at least 45 pounds/blade. For dry hard soil the minimum is around 60 pounds/blade. Of course there are large ag. disks used for one pass primary tillage that are upwards of 200 pounds/blade, but thats a different story.
For hauling definitely go with a 3pt disk. The JD DH1396 will be the best match for you. They have 2 models: 7.5" spacing w/56 lbs per blade, and 9" spacing w/ 63 lbs per blade.
With that said, a 15 series drag disk will perform better with your tractor but make hauling a pain in the a**.
Here is a pic of the DH1280 on a Carson 20' 12K trailer.- not much room to spare!

Nice set up! I just purchased a 22' 12K trailer very similiar to yours. I purchased the stand up ramps on mine. The Howse disk I am looking at is 7.5' wide with 22" blades on 9" spacing with a blade weight of 55 lbs for $2200. The Frontier 1396 on 9" with 22" blades with a blade weight of 63 lbs is around $3800. Hard to justify the extra money for 8 lbs per blade. Build quality appears to be very comparable. Factory brochure even says it can come in JD green.

 

[deere5105]

Still looking around at disks. Have made a trip to look at a used one. Turns out the person listing it misrepresented the item. I was able to find where the "Marion" brand the local dealer was listing is made. It appears that it is a Atlas Model 1500 disk made in Tremont, MS. Very heavy duty looking unit. Here is a link to it that a guy in Alabama has it shown on, Darrell Harp Enterprises - 1500 Heavy Duty Disc. I turned under about 3 acres this afternoon using our 8' disk with worn 20" blades. In places it would bog to the axles and drag dirt. In other places it would ride on top of the grass. This unit made out of similar materials as the Howse unit. It is 3" square frame with 1 1/8" axles. I figure it must be somewhere around 1000 lbs to 1100 lbs. Makes me now wonder if the heavier unit at 1850 lbs would be better and just lift it in softer soils. I am not about to purchase a new one anytime soon, but would like to settle in on which one I would want.

 

[jenkinsph]

Might consider something more agressive to cut through the grass. This should be close to you and is a shortline that most dealers in your locale handle. I prefer a pull type disk but this is a 3 point as the one you listed.

AMCO MANUFACTURING, INC. ~Primary tillage tools, Farm implements and equipment