Disc for YM240

[burke385]

So I recently picked up a YM240 with turf tires. One objective is to turn some pretty virgin land into food plots for deer next year. I plan on brush hogging "by hand" using my DR brush mower, or maybe pick up a 4-5' brush mower. My question though, is would you think a disc would get the job done, or maybe a tiller? I was leaning towards a disc to save some money. I found this one on Craigslist locally. It's only 10-15 from my place, which is convenient. Would it work on my tractor and for this application? Thanks for your advice.

3 point 5ft Disc

This thread has the info on my machine.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/yanmar/345686-my-first-tractor-yanmar-ym240.html

 

[jeff9366]

The Disc Harrow in your LINK has an angle-iron frame and non-adjustable gang angles. It is too light to cut unplowed land.

PTO powered roto-tillers are more effective behind small tractors than disc harrows. Both are forms of soil mixers.

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


There are three rotary tillers for sale on eBay, near Nashville.

LINK: Heavy Equipment Tiller Attachments | eBay

 

[normde2001]

So I recently picked up a YM240 with turf tires. One objective is to turn some pretty virgin land into food plots for deer next year. I plan on brush hogging "by hand" using my DR brush mower, or maybe pick up a 4-5' brush mower. My question though, is would you think a disc would get the job done, or maybe a tiller? I was leaning towards a disc to save some money. I found this one on Craigslist locally. It's only 10-15 from my place, which is convenient. Would it work on my tractor and for this application? Thanks for your advice.

3 point 5ft Disc

This thread has the info on my machine.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/yanmar/345686-my-first-tractor-yanmar-ym240.html

No. your 2wd compact tractor will never pull it.

 

[clemsonfor]

i think he will pull it but will have a hard time cutting up soil that hasent been turned in who knows how long. My disk is 4.5 feet wide but maybe only has 3 disks per gang so that may be a strech? You have to pile hundreds of pounds on top of a disk like that to even get it to cut good on ground like you talk about..unless your very sandy soil. Then you have to put hundreds of pounds on the front so you can pick it up!! Then run it over 3-4x Trust me i know. I filled my tires to get more traction for the disk, it helps a ton. I too only have 2wd, sometimes i have to engage the diff lock for periods to keep from spinning out and looseing traction.

In finishing i dont think you will be happy with that you wont be able to pull it once you pile the weight on top you need. If you have turned ground i thing you could run it just keep it drafted up a bit so it does not drag you down.

A tiller will prepare a much better more uniform seedbed but will cost you 3x the price used as a used 3pt. This is the wrong time to be looking cause all the deer guys are buying them up. Look this winter and spring maybe you can catch a deal on a food plot guy upgrading. Oh and i am a food plot guy or use to be when i had more time and money before my young son was born a few years ago. Deer hunters keep the price of these small tractors high and the implements also as there is so much demand for them as there easy to move around and get into tight spots inthe woods

 

[morris lipham]

I have a yanmar ym1700 That I pull a 4' tuffline heavy duty disc very well. I have front weights and ag tires. however before I got yanmar I pulled it with a Kubota L185 with turf tires. I now have a RS1400 tiller I almost stole for $150. I only paid $250 for disc at an estate sale. you have to search constantly for equipment and act fast to get it. I had some timber thinned and had a new food plot bulldozed for nothing while they had equip there. I disced plot with disc only for first year and removed a lot of roots, 2nd year I disced and tilled with tiller. I also have a DR mower I don't use any more as I bought a 4' bush hog. you could sell DR mower and buy a bush hog.

 

[clemsonfor]

Yea if i had a tractor i would ditch the DR mower!!! You can probably get what a bush hog would cost you one a good deal. I bought a Bush hog razorback that was a little beat up and rusted for $75. a few hours of welding beating and cutting and a spool of wire and its back in serviceable condition. Tracks crocked cause the A frame is bent but Still cuts perfect and that does not bother me that much. I see them all the time for $300 or less. Like was said when you see them you have to call that second have the cash in hand and be prepared to drop everything and go look to buy it. Deals go fast ..usually the first day or within hours.


The DR is just one more thing to maintain and have to worry about. A Bus hog with light sparitic use will last forever basically with almost no maintence. Keep oil checked and full. Every few years mabe grind the blades but if you use it that little you might never need new blades unless it needs them when you get it. But your not so much cutting the stuff as shattering the stems.

 

[clemsonfor]

Oh and to compare costs of stuff my disk listed in the sig line (LMC 12 disk that measures like 4.5ft wide) i got kind of local. I paid $200 for it. Perfecly servicable and all disks and bearing are good. The guy was a hunter and they used it between pines till they got too tall. They pulled it with like a ford 2000. But they were done with it and i think i paid what he paid the older guy that they bought it from that used it in a garden. Was such a good unit and in good shape and i wanted it then i went the next mourning to buy it and paid the asking price. I could sell it for that same amout or a bit more i think today if i wanted.

 

[burke385]

The Disc Harrow in your LINK has an angle-iron frame and non-adjustable gang angles. It is too light to cut unplowed land.

PTO powered roto-tillers are more effective behind small tractors than disc harrows. Both are forms of soil mixers.

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


There are three rotary tillers for sale on eBay, near Nashville.

LINK: Heavy Equipment Tiller Attachments | eBay

Thanks jeff9366. I had initially planned on getting a tiller, but thought I could save a few bucks by going with a disc. I had read reports of other YM240 owners successfully using a disc, but wasn't too clear on what weight/ballast requirements were to do so effectively. Would plowing first be suitable? Seems like maybe ought to just jump two feet in and get the tiller. Thanks!

 

[burke385]

I have a yanmar ym1700 That I pull a 4' tuffline heavy duty disc very well. I have front weights and ag tires. however before I got yanmar I pulled it with a Kubota L185 with turf tires. I now have a RS1400 tiller I almost stole for $150. I only paid $250 for disc at an estate sale. you have to search constantly for equipment and act fast to get it. I had some timber thinned and had a new food plot bulldozed for nothing while they had equip there. I disced plot with disc only for first year and removed a lot of roots, 2nd year I disced and tilled with tiller. I also have a DR mower I don't use any more as I bought a 4' bush hog. you could sell DR mower and buy a bush hog.

Seems like you got an excellent deal on that RS1400!!

 

[burke385]

@clemsonfor, thanks for the input. I know you have a very similar rig, so this is very helpful.

As of now, I plan on keeping the DR because it lets me get to places that I don't think I'd be comfortable taking this tractor (or any tractor for that matter!). I've got some pretty steep hillsides that I want to keep clear, and for now I'm just not comfortable riding a tractor when there's a 100' drop off to the side. Call me a rookie.

I'm in no rush to buy. Good advice about the food plot guys buying them up now. If I can pick it up in the winter or spring, that'd be just fine. Maybe I'll come across a good brush mower by then too.