Disc Harrows: Tandem vs. Offset.

[Glowplug]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a tandem disc vs. an offset disc? It seems most people here have tandem discs. But it would appear as though offset discs would do a better job of soil disturbance. Anyone know? Anyone have experience with both?

 

[JoeinTX]

In the true, large farming world the offset disc is intended as a primary ground tillage tool........generally a little bigger and heavier than their tandem disc counterparts. Not always true, but, often that is the situation. A big and heavy 10' offset will put quite a load on a 125-150hp ag tractor.

In the small utility segment, I'm not sure there's a lot of difference between tandem or offset. I see both in 3pt. forms and the offsets don't usually appear to be any heavier than their tandem equivalent so I don't know if they'd make much difference.

 

[hudr]

I have pulled both and the offset usually does a better job of single pass cutting. I like the tandems better for leveling. Those offsets pull HARD!
Also, I have never gotten satifactory results (to me) w/ a 3pt disc of any kind.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I feel that the best disk is an offset pull type with the hydraulic operated transport wheels. Disk works great and by using the transport wheels you can control the depth of cut if you want or need to and can be backed up easily. Unfortunately for me all that I have is the old pull type disks, the only way to control depth of cut is to lessen the angle of cut and you always leave some blade marks while pulling from field to field. Normally considered to remain on premises. 3ph disks will not work as good as pull disks, but most likely are less of a hassle. I suppose that a lot would depend on what exactly the desired end result is. Maybe try to take notice of what people around your area are using and their circumstances.

Good luck

 

[N80]

Offsets and pull types are not well suited to tight quarters, especially long narrow food plots.

 

[Glowplug]

But you CAN get offset 3ph lift types as well like through Monroe Tufline. I don't know though. That kind of seems like putting a Dodge Viper engine in a Dodge Ram pickup or vice versa. 3ph and offset just don't seem to go together. They seem to serve different purposes in a disc. But I'm totally limited in my knowledge of this subject and that's why I started the thread.

 

[JoeinTX]

Well, in the sense of 5-6-7' foot 3ph discs........I don't think there would be a great deal of difference between a tandem and an offset if the weights are close. Take a 7' tandem that weighs 800lbs and a 7' offset that weighs 650lbs and the tandem will out plow the offset any day of the week.

In small utility form, either one will flip dirt one way with the first gang and flip it back with the second gang. It's all about your soil and the weight being applied to it.

Like I said above the real differences don't appear until you get into the full-on ag type discs where the tandem is generally (but not always) configured as a conditioning tool and the offsets are configured for primary tillage..........a nominal 10' towed tandem being lighter while the equivalent offset being heavier built and equipped to handle more weight and use.

In short, don't go out of your way to try and get an offset disc in this class...........find the best, heaviest built of either type that you can get for the money and be happy with it.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Well, in the sense of 5-6-7' foot 3ph discs........I don't think there would be a great deal of difference between a tandem and an offset if the weights are close. Take a 7' tandem that weighs 800lbs and a 7' offset that weighs 650lbs and the tandem will out plow the offset any day of the week.

In small utility form, either one will flip dirt one way with the first gang and flip it back with the second gang. It's all about your soil and the weight being applied to it.

Like I said above the real differences don't appear until you get into the full-on ag type discs where the tandem is generally (but not always) configured as a conditioning tool and the offsets are configured for primary tillage..........a nominal 10' towed tandem being lighter while the equivalent offset being heavier built and equipped to handle more weight and use.

In short, don't go out of your way to try and get an offset disc in this class...........find the best, heaviest built of either type that you can get for the money and be happy with it.

What he said....

Unless there's a significant difference in lbs per blade, performance will be the same for the most part.

 

[Glowplug]

Hey Bill--What are the pounds per blade on a Massey Ferguson #25 7-1/2 footer?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Well, in the sense of 5-6-7' foot 3ph discs........I don't think there would be a great deal of difference between a tandem and an offset if the weights are close. Take a 7' tandem that weighs 800lbs and a 7' offset that weighs 650lbs and the tandem will out plow the offset any day of the week.

In small utility form, either one will flip dirt one way with the first gang and flip it back with the second gang. It's all about your soil and the weight being applied to it.

Like I said above the real differences don't appear until you get into the full-on ag type discs where the tandem is generally (but not always) configured as a conditioning tool and the offsets are configured for primary tillage..........a nominal 10' towed tandem being lighter while the equivalent offset being heavier built and equipped to handle more weight and use.

In short, don't go out of your way to try and get an offset disc in this class...........find the best, heaviest built of either type that you can get for the money and be happy with it.

JoeinTX, if the offset were to weigh 23% more than the tandem, then which disk would perform best? If they weighed the same, then which type performs best?

Here's a question for anybody that might have an answer. You have two 8' disks, both weigh 1000lbs each, both have 22" notched blades, both have the same angle on the blades. For all intents and purposes they are the same disk. One disk is offset and one is tandem, both are 3ph disks. Which disk works the best, digging deepest, leaving the ground the smoothest, etc?

I do not know these answers, I only have 4',6',8', & 12' offset pull disks. The only thing that I know about 3ph disks is that my neighbor has a 6' tandem 3ph disk that he uses and seems to be content with the 4"-5" depth that it turns over.