Disc Harrow Disc harrow adjustment and space

[Seineil56k]

So I've been trying to clean out a new parcal for food farming and my disc harrow is just getting Tangled with grass. I've adjusted the Harrow to be as parallel as it can be and my next step is removing disc to increase the spacing between the disk. I'll post some pictures when I get to a desktop.

 

[Steave]

Before running the disc through the taller grass try cutting the grass as low as possible first, This will help a little. Then I set my disc as aggressive as it will set and make a few passes then let it set for a few days before I disc again.

As for getting a field ready for food crops you really should invest in a turn plow or a rototiller to plow the grass under. When you post some pictures you should get a few more suggestions. What you're trying to do can be done with a disc harrow but other implements would be better suited. If you only have the disc just set it aggressive and make as few of passes as possible so as not to turn your dirt into sand.

:welcome: to TBN. Glad to have you.

 

[jeff9366]

Before running the disc through the taller grass try cutting the grass as low as possible first, This will help a little. Then I set my disc as aggressive as it will set and make a few passes then let it set for a few days before I disc again.

As for getting a field ready for food crops you really should invest in a turn plow or a rototiller to plow the grass under. When you post some pictures you should get a few more suggestions. What you're trying to do can be done with a disc harrow but other implements would be better suited. If you only have the disc just set it aggressive and make as few of passes as possible so as not to turn your dirt into sand.

Excellent advice.

What diameter are the pans on the Disc Harrow you are using? If the pans are 18" to 22" in diameter, it will take multiple passes to mix soil to 6" soil depth. Disc Harrows with 18" to 20" diameter pans are SECONDARY TILLAGE implements.

With pan diameter of 24" or greater, turning a short mowed field should be a one or two pass task.


ADJUSTING TANDEM DISC HARROWS: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ing-three-point-hitch-mounted.html?highlight=

 

[jeff9366]

I've been trying to clean out a new parcal for food farming and my disc harrow is getting tangled with grass.

I've adjusted the Harrow to be as parallel as it can be and my next step is removing disc to increase the spacing between the disk.

When gangs are adjusted "straight" you are rolling essentially thin wheels over the ground, wheels which will not penetrate.

You need to adjust front and rear gangs on a greater angle, with the forward "cutting" gang at a two-hole more aggressive angle than the rear "smoothing" gang.

Shorten your Three Point Hitch Top Link, to transfer more implement weight to the front "cutting" gang and reduce weight on the rear "smoothing" gang.


Do not remove pans. Learn appropriate procedures and technique.


While I do not like herbicides, you are unlikely to kill grass via mechanical cultivation where there is regular rain. Grass will return, intermixed with your food crop. I would use a proper application of Roundup/Glycophosphate to kill the grass completely. Once grass is completely dead, plow then disc.

 

[Steave]

Some tandem disc have a pivot between the front gangs and the rear gangs that will let you fold the rear gang of disc up onto the front gang (piggy back style). This would add weight to the remaining disc on the ground. I'm not sure if this is an appropriate way of running the disc and I've never tried it but it sound like it would work. I'm guessing this pivot is more intended for shipping but it may be worth a try. jeff9366 probably knows more about this and may chime in. Good luck with your project.

 

[Texasmark]

I have another winter pea crop growing. Harvesting technique is soil humus enhancement, Nitrogen placement:

Lap 1, shredder, 2 roto tiller, 3, rolling disc "offset" plow....22+ discs spaced 9" apart, heavily weighted 3. disc harrow 16", spaced 7", with a current design toothed (bent to shape ⅝ steel rod, floating type) hooked behind it. About a month later, weather dependent, in goes the hay seed drilled with the toothed harrow again attached.

 

[jeff9366]

I have not encountered a center-pivot, folding disc, although I know some were made. My guess is piggy-back feature included too much product liability during the process of lifting/folding heavy rear gang over the front gang and the reverse, unfolding. Major injury probability in the design; too easy to amputate a hand, an arm or a foot.

While undoubtedly there was weight transfer when folded, I do not know how much more weight transferred relative to when Top Link is shortened to lift, or near lift, rear gang above the ground.

When the rear gang is actually OFF the ground as result of a shortened Top Link, rear gang weight puts major stress on the Top Link, especially when bouncing across rough land. When folded, a piggy-back disc would not overly stress the Top Link.

Ferguson's Three Point Hitch design transfers much implement weight to the tractor's rear tires and to a lesser extent, front tires.

I believe our Honolulu OP needs a Bush Hog adjusted for scalp cut and Roundup. Big tractor: Kubota 9540DT

 

[Steave]

I have not encountered a center-pivot, folding disc, although I know some were made. My guess is that design included too much product liability in the process of lifting/folding heavy rear gang over the front gang and the reverse, unfolding. Major injury probability in the design; too easy to amputate a hand or an arm.

While I am sure there was some weight transfer when folded, I do not know how much more weight transferred relative to when Top Link is shortened to lift or near lift rear gang off the ground. When the rear gang is actually OFF the ground it puts major stress on the Top Link bouncing across rough land.

Ferguson's Three Point Hitch design transfer much implement weight to the tractor's rear tires and to a lesser extent, front tires.

I believe our Honolulu OP needs a Bush Hog adjusted for scalp cut and Roundup. Big tractor.

That sounds about right. It would be dangerous to fold them. Scalp cut would be what I would do first no matter which way I was going to till.

 

[countrybumpkin]

You folded them up to become a Bush & Bog disc, I have a Massey Ferguson Model 21 works nice.

 

[jeff9366]

Can you fold the MF Model 21 manually, or do you need the tractor loader for muscle, or some other mechanical assist? Does it "crash" down when folding or unfolding?

Is there an auxiliary attachment point forward for Top Link connection when the disc is folded?

I have wondered.......



I searched the TBN archive. There is virtually nothing on the Model 21, beaucoup on the Model 25.

 

[Seineil56k]

So I've been trying to clean out a new parcal for food farming and my disc harrow is just getting Tangled with grass. I've adjusted the Harrow to be as parallel as it can be and my next step is removing disc to increase the spacing between the disk. I'll post some pictures when I get to a desktop.

Here are the pictures

 

[Seineil56k]

So right now harrow disc has notches in them I noticed that the grass gets stuck in these notches and end up winding in between the disc. If I were to swap these disc out into non knots disc wood this work better? I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this I have 50 acres to clear

 

[jeff9366]

1. Why haven't you answered questions posed in Post #3?

2. Your implement looks like a primary tillage Offset Disc, not a Disc Harrow.

3. You need a Rotary Cutter / Bush Hog to scalp that land before you try to work it.

4. While I do not like herbicides, you are unlikely to kill grass via mechanical cultivation where there is regular rain. Grass will return, intermixed with your food crop. I would use a proper application of Roundup/Glycophosphate to kill the grass completely. Once grass is completely dead, plow then disc.

5. Verdure in your photographs may not be grass and another herbicide rather than Roundup/Glcophosphate may be necessary after cutting verdure very short.

6. You probably need to consult an government ag agent, rather than this forum; or check University of Hawaii ag department web site.

 

[Degolyerent]

I have not encountered a center-pivot, folding disc, although I know some were made. My guess is piggy-back feature included too much product liability during the process of lifting/folding heavy rear gang over the front gang and the reverse, unfolding. Major injury probability in the design; too easy to amputate a hand, an arm or a foot.

While undoubtedly there was weight transfer when folded, I do not know how much more weight transferred relative to when Top Link is shortened to lift, or near lift, rear gang above the ground.

When the rear gang is actually OFF the ground as result of a shortened Top Link, rear gang weight puts major stress on the Top Link, especially when bouncing across rough land. When folded, a piggy-back disc would not overly stress the Top Link.

Ferguson's Three Point Hitch design transfers much implement weight to the tractor's rear tires and to a lesser extent, front tires.

I believe our Honolulu OP needs a Bush Hog adjusted for scalp cut and Roundup. Big tractor: Kubota 9540DT

This is a Dearborn Folding Disc from early 50's. The back half folds over front to make a Bog Harrow. The back half is actually 2 sections to make picking it up easier.

 

[countrybumpkin]

You need a set of scrapers on that disc.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I agree with Jeff, cut the existing grasses as short as you can. You’re wasting time and diesel fuel trying to disc first.

 

[jeff9366]

So right now harrow disc has notches in them I noticed that the grass gets stuck in these notches and end up winding in between the disc.

If I were to swap these disc out into non knots disc wood this work better?

NO, it would not.

 

[Egon]

Just from several of your pictures: it's what would be expected from first passes over taller grass. Let it sit and dry out. Put some more angle & weight on and do it again. Dry grass will start to break up and newly sprouted stuff will be killed. Again wait til dry and do it again and so on. Each wait lets present seeds sprout, the grasses decompose a bit more and more dirt clumps will break up for the next time.

Patience!!

 

[ovrszd]

You need a set of scrapers on that disc.

In Missouri he would need to leave it alone until drier times. Tilled that wet here would create a mess that would be hard to fix.

 

[ovrszd]

This is a Dearborn Folding Disc from early 50's. The back half folds over front to make a Bog Harrow. The back half is actually 2 sections to make picking it up easier.

That is very cool. I've never saw one. Wish I had one to use behind my Ford!!!!