Disc Harrow Alterations

[deere5105]

Here is a quick shot of my progress. Next step is to start on the blades and axles. Only issue so far is I am a little bothered by how easily the paint seems to chip. Used Loctite Rust Treatment, JD primer and two coats JD paint.

 

[jenkinsph]

Looks good so far:thumbsup:

How cold was the metal when you painted it?

 

[deere5105]

I would say the average temp would have been around 70 when both primer and paint applied. Paint seemed to go on better the warmer it was. One good thing is that the JD green spray seems to match perfect for touch ups.

 

[deere5105]

While making plans for the next phase of my project, the blades, axles and bearings, I looked at how the Frontier disc units were painted. It looks like the hangers, spacers and all hardware below the frame is black. I am considering going with the Frontier paint scheme. I remembered reading somewhere about paint designed for pieces that contact the dirt. Question is, is anyone familiar with the JD Soft Black Coating paint? It sounds like it is best suited to just the parts that contact the dirt such as the blades themselves. I really do not plan to paint the blades after each use. Thought using the black below the frame may make things easier to touch up in the future since the blades would be black anyway. Seems it would hide any overspray better than the green. Any thought or suggestions?

 

[jenkinsph]

The soft flat black paint you speak of was intended for the dash panel on older Deeres' such as the New Generation Twenty series. If you wan't a soft black paint with good rust preventive characteristics I would suggest a coal tar epoxy finish. Used on lots of marine applications, barges and drilling rigs. It is a two part paint which I think holds up really well, I have probably sprayed several hundred gallons of the stuff years ago.


Not familiar with your disc but It may well have been painted yellow below the frame. Might look on Machinefinder to find something similar to yours if it matters to you.

 

[deere5105]

The paint description on the JD website stated it like it was almost a temporary paint. Stated it would come off when the blades began to work in the dirt. Not sure that sounds like something I want to try.

The paint scheme is not being matched to the original. It was originally red from what I can tell. I figured the black would better match the scheme that the Frontier units use since I was going back with the JD green.

Tonight I got into the bearings. Of the eight bearings only two didn't want to turn by hand and somehow a third was missing all together. The race was still there, but the bearing itself was missing?? Attached are a few pictures of the bearings removed. Have heard bearings called many different styles. What would you call this style? Anticipate any trouble finding the same style, type bearing. They appear to be very well sealed and it wouldn't suprise me if some of these weren't the original bearings.

 

[jenkinsph]

That is a square bore bearing shouldn't be any trouble to find I hope.

Here is a link for starters Disc Harrow Bearings - Farm Bearings & Ag International

 

[deere5105]

Matched bearings up yesterday at local tractor dealer. Price actually better locally. Blade and axle prices much better on AgriSupply, if shipping isn't too bad. Got to look into that now. The bearing was a W208PPB12, w208ppb12 .

 

[deere5105]

Blade question. On AgriSupply site there are two blades I am looking at. Both are 20", 5mm thick blades. The India blades are a 1070 Carbon for about $20 and the Brazil blades are a 1080 Carbon for about $25. Question is it worth the extra for 22 blades?

 

[bullbreaker]

Blade question. On AgriSupply site there are two blades I am looking at. Both are 20", 5mm thick blades. The India blades are a 1070 Carbon for about $20 and the Brazil blades are a 1080 Carbon for about $25. Question is it worth the extra for 22 blades?

For the time,$ and effort your putting into this project,IMHO yes I would pay the $110 plus tax for better quality.

Boone

 

[deere5105]

I also can purchase a made in the USA blade locally for $28 that is a 4.5 mm. I found this quote while trying to search for information comparing the two.. "The indian blades from agrisupply are really good . They work much better than the brazilian blades because they are made of 1070 , whereas brazilian r made of 1080 . Higher carbon makes the blade's crack much faster . spanish blades look a little good on the surface finish but perform almost equally and are double the price .. So indian blades according to me is the best value for money" Any thoughts or truth to this statement.

 

[bullbreaker]

I've read that qoute before on the Ag Thread. When I responded to you I based my response on experience. Just like maybe guy on Ag Thread thought India was better.Might call it coincedense but I have bent India DH wheels on rocks .
Never bent a Brazil blade though could be just by chance. I do like to buy USA.
The DH I use now has blades made in Canada.

Boone

Pics when new before use.
BTW: I'am just a food plotter.

 

[bullbreaker]

Been reading this thread closely and maybe I missed it but just wondered : What DH blade disc where originally on there could you see ?

Boone

 

[deere5105]

Been reading this thread closely and maybe I missed it but just wondered : What DH blade disc where originally on there could you see ?

Boone

Of the 22 total blades, the measured size ranged from a full 20" down to 17". Some were rusted so bad that the cutting edges were jagged. I wanted to go back with 22" blades, but am too concerned about the clearance between the bigger blades and the bottom of the frame. It may fit, but one location looked to be too close for comfort. I am unsure of the origin of the current blades.

It appears from the picture that you have a Howse brand disc. They are built approximately 30 miles north of me. I strongly considered the Howse disc before finding the one I purchased. This disc has a 4" square tubing frame with the 1 1/8" axles. In comparing a similiar new unit price to what I will have in this one, I am still coming out somewhere around half the new price. I will have enough in it though that I could have bought a new 6' disc of a little lighter weight.

 

[jenkinsph]

deere 5105,

With 22 blades instead of 20 or 24 I would assume that you have 9" spacing on the front row and 7.5" on the back row. Are you putting notched blades all the way around or notched front row and rear smooth blades?

 

[bullbreaker]

Of the 22 total blades, the measured size ranged from a full 20" down to 17". Some were rusted so bad that the cutting edges were jagged. I wanted to go back with 22" blades, but am too concerned about the clearance between the bigger blades and the bottom of the frame. It may fit, but one location looked to be too close for comfort. I am unsure of the origin of the current blades.It appears from the picture that you have a Howse brand disc. They are built approximately 30 miles north of me. I strongly considered the Howse disc before finding the one I purchased. This disc has a 4" square tubing frame with the 1 1/8" axles. In comparing a similiar new unit price to what I will have in this one, I am still coming out somewhere around half the new price. I will have enough in it though that I could have bought a new 6' disc of a little lighter weight.

You are correct,that is a Howse DH. Sent you some info off my Howse owners manual might be able to help you in/on your project.

Boone

 

[deere5105]

The 22 blades are all on 9" spacing and will all be notched. Need to finalize decision on blades soon. So far seems to be the most unclear decision. At this point I am considering replacing all four axles as two are bent and one pretty worn. Can get them through A.S. for about $20 each.

 

[jenkinsph]

The 22 blades are all on 9" spacing and will all be notched. Need to finalize decision on blades soon. So far seems to be the most unclear decision. At this point I am considering replacing all four axles as two are bent and one pretty worn. Can get them through A.S. for about $20 each.

Well then I don't understand why you have 22 blades instead of 20 or 24. Unless you have the added smaller blades on the outside rear cormers as furrow fillers. Most tandem discs I have seen had the same number of blades on each of the four gangs.

 

[deere5105]

Well then I don't understand why you have 22 blades instead of 20 or 24. Unless you have the added smaller blades on the outside rear cormers as furrow fillers. Most tandem discs I have seen had the same number of blades on each of the four gangs.

The front gangs each have 5 and the rear each have 6. The front axle measures 41" and the rear 50", both give or take an inch. In my checking around this seems to be standard axle lengths. Attached are pictures of each gang before disassembling. One of the reasons I considered moving the rear gangs closer together was due to the much greater width on the rear set. What seemed to be much further apart than most I have seen. I guess it's possible some nonstandard changes were made, but that seems like it would be a lot of trouble??

I guess one option could be to go with a shorter rear axle with 5 blades to match the front???

 

[deere5105]

You are correct,that is a Howse DH. Sent you some info off my Howse owners manual might be able to help you in/on your project.

Boone

Thanks for the info. Brings more light to the point Jenkins made about the number of blades per axle. According to your literature it appears each gang has the same number of blades. I have no idea why mine would have been altered to have a different number?? I assume that is how it came from the factory.