Disc Harrow Alterations

[deere5105]

Check out these pics from when I first purchased. If I am purchasing new axles anyway, what about purchasing the same length front and rear axles and going back with 5 on each gang. This would actually get me back to the 8' width I was looking for. I notice now looking at these pics that the widest rear blade extends a bit further than the 4" gang tube. Cutting one blade off each end would move this back in to almost flush with the gang tube and looks like it would better support the axle since it wouldn't extend far beyond the bearing assembly. Also notice in the pics that the front gangs are this way. The more I consider the more I think I like this idea. Am I missing anything??

 

[jenkinsph]

When you consider the front gang throws the dirt outwards and the rear gang has to throw the dirt back you need to keep this balancing act intact. Otherwise it isn't going to level out the soil properly. Think we have discussed this already but it is more obvious now what the real issue is.

I would prefer the same axles front and back and as I mentioned before the end blades if you go with the extra two blades could be smaller 16 or 18" blades for furrow filling and smoothing. Personally I don't think you need them and would go with a 20 blade arangement in the heavy thickness version. This would allow you to space out the rear gangs properly to throw the soil back into place.

 

[bullbreaker]

5105 :Have you tried contacting LONG 1-252-823-4151 ?

Boone

LONG I083 Disks For Sale At TractorHouse.com

 

[deere5105]

When you consider the front gang throws the dirt outwards and the rear gang has to throw the dirt back you need to keep this balancing act intact. Otherwise it isn't going to level out the soil properly. Think we have discussed this already but it is more obvious now what the real issue is.

I would prefer the same axles front and back and as I mentioned before the end blades if you go with the extra two blades could be smaller 16 or 18" blades for furrow filling and smoothing. Personally I don't think you need them and would go with a 20 blade arangement in the heavy thickness version. This would allow you to space out the rear gangs properly to throw the soil back into place.

My thoughts exactly. The simple question of the number of blades has shed much light on the problem. The more research I do the more I am inclined to go back with a standard 20 blades set up.

 

[deere5105]

5105 :Have you tried contacting LONG 1-252-823-4151 ?

Boone

LONG I083 Disks For Sale At TractorHouse.com

Yes. I tried the number above again just to see and it gives recording that it is disconnected. Last time I checked around and found a local business in NC and called them to see if they knew anything about the company. Through talking with them and more online research I was able to deduct that the company is out of business. I had also seen the disc you linked in trying to find anything I could on the Long brand. Even after looking at that disc again, I see that it is set up with equal number of blades on front and rear gangs. Not sure how or why mine ever got altered from that type set up, but seems now is the time to correct it. I guess I could go wider in front, but would prefer to get back to 8' versus going wider to 9' or 10'.

How I overlooked this earlier on I don't know. It seems very obvious at this point!

 

[deere5105]

After spending 6-7 hours on the angle grinder yesterday, I now have all the disc axle parts clean and ready to prime. Seems I can see the end of the project in site.

In considering the blade and axle options, I have decided to order all four axles new at the shorter 40" length which will allow me to get to the 8' width I was after initially and have the same number of blades on each gang. In considering the blades, I am going to give the India blades a try at approximately $20 each. I can order the blades and axles all from AgriSupply and still save almost $200 over buying locally. The soil I am working in is primarily previously tilled ground with no obstructions. The blades should hold up fine.

I have decided to go with black paint below the frame. Any suggestions on Gloss versus Flat? The frame is gloss, but figure the blades and other would be Flat?

Anything else jumping out that I am overlooking? The number of blades question asked was a good one. Otherwise I would have ordered the 22 blades and probably had that arrangement from now on.

Thanks for all the input and suggestions so far.

 

[jenkinsph]

About the choice of blades, you might be better off asking some of your local farmers which blades are the better choice. The freight and the amount of work to change these will be the same. You really need to know if the extra 25% in cost is worth the difference. It may be a $100 well spent or a $100 lost, wish I knew enough to offer you some factual advice.

 

[deere5105]

So far have found one vote for each origin of blade. May see if another thread would better answer or do some more scouring.

Got an opinion on the Flat versus Gloss? The two part tar based you mentioned sounds durable, but may be hard to touch up since it probably isn't available in rattle cans?

 

[jenkinsph]

I would problably paint them in a flat finish and wouldn't bother with touching them up. Use will remove any residual rust.

 

[cowski]

if you leave the longer axles on it .place a wore out or smaller blade on each side. this levels your field better.

 

[deere5105]

After much consideration and research, placed order this morning for the Brazilian made blades and axles to allow to move back to standard configuration and 8' width. All parts primed and ready for paint, but local JD store was out of the paint. Should be in this week.

If all goes well should have this wrapped up by end of next weekend.

 

[jenkinsph]

Glad to hear that you will have a complete disc ready to use very soon.:thumbsup:

My Mother and brother will be in McComb about March 15th try to have it ready for pickup by then. I need to borrow it to get a better idea of how well you did with it. Should be able to get it back to you within a few years.

 

[deere5105]

Glad to hear that you will have a complete disc ready to use very soon.:thumbsup:

My Mother and brother will be in McComb about March 15th try to have it ready for pickup by then. I need to borrow it to get a better idea of how well you did with it. Should be able to get it back to you within a few years.

Now that's a good one. I could probably work something out to use it in McComb, but not sure I have good directions to pick it back up from New Mexico!!

 

[deere5105]

Blades came in Friday and was able to get it finished up today. Measured it across at 96". Got a chance to try it out and it seems to do just fine. Wind here today is blowing 20 mph or so and around 40 degrees. Cool for my part of the country. Will get a little more time to really try it out when it warms up and dries up some. Thanks for all the suggestions and recommendations along the way.

 

[bullbreaker]

:thumbsup:

Sure looks nice !
What ya think it weighs with that 4" frame almost 1100 maybe ?

Boone

 

[deere5105]

Good question. Not sure. May have to see about weighing it at some point. The blades were around 450 lbs and the gang tubes are 1/4" x 4". That is probably a close figure.

 

[jenkinsph]

Great job on the restoration.:thumbsup:


Can't wait to see how it does this spring, couple of passes and it will sink to the axles. Let us know how it goes.

 

[deere5105]

On my second trial run I noticed that on my last pass I was making an odd mark on the outer edge of the cut. Got off and got to checking and noticed that the outside front blade was at an angle. It appears the axle nut came loose and the the bumper washer and nut came off. The blade wobbled on the axle and fouled up threads. Got the axle rethreaded today and hope to get it all back together tomorrow evening with new lock nuts.

Any suggestions on how to tighten the axle nuts? Don't see how you can do it with the blades sitting on the ground as they won't want to pull up? Seems like would be better to have the blades off the ground. I went and picked up a 1/2" to 3/4" adapater so that I can use my 3/4" drive sockets with my impact wrench to hopefully make the process easier.

 

[jenkinsph]

I suspect they will pull up with the impact wrench easy enough. A good hard surface and a piece of flat steel might help if you really need it. Also could raise it slightly and use a 2x4 to chock the inside blade on each axle while tightening with the impact wrench. I would recommend you check them frequently the first few hours of use.

 

[plowindeeper]

put a fold over the nut washer on it