Disc Purchase Question

[Riddler]

I need a 4' wide three point disc attachment to work between some vine rows. I'd love to find a reasonably priced used one, but I have never found a decent source for used equipment in Northern California. Does anyone know of a source I should check?

Also, I was allowed to demo a new one recently, and while it was well built and worked great, it seemed rather pricey to me at over $4,500. I can't remember the brand. Is that the going price for a unit that does the job reasonably well? Can anyone recommend a less expensive make and model?

 

[bigballer]

i know things are expensive in CA but didn't know they were *that* expensive. ;-) are you looking for a disc harrow? like this:

 

[Riddler]

BB, thanks for responding.

I am just learning about discs, so I am not sure what the differences are between offset discs, tandem discs, disc harrows and the like, but your picture looks similar to the unit I tested out recently.

It may very well be that the unit I tested is overkill for my purposes. At $4,500, I can't help but ask that question.

All I am trying to accomplish really is regular weed suppression in a 4' strip between the vine rows and, occasionally, seed bed preparation for reseeding a cover crop. I don't have a need for deeper tillage, or to turn the soil over to mix amendments or surface vegetation to a great degree.

Right now, I have about 80 rows to deal with, each about 450' long. In the next few years, though, that number will double. The soil will likely have plenty of moisture in it when I am performing the weed suppression or seed bed preparation.

Since I posted my original message, I checked into the compact disc (Model 14-10) and flip over disc (Model 16-8) that King Kutter makes, both of which can be pulled by a compact tractor or ATV. The compact disc as two rows of notched discs, but cuts only 33" wide. The flip over disc cuts 48" wide, but has only a single row of notched discs. Will these models work well for my limited purposes? I am glad to make multiple passes over each row to get the job done, especially if it means I can dispense with using something as powerful and pricey as a NH TK75VA crawler.

Hope you have some thoughts on the subject.

 

[flusher]

I need a 4' wide three point disc attachment to work between some vine rows. I'd love to find a reasonably priced used one, but I have never found a decent source for used equipment in Northern California. Does anyone know of a source I should check?

Also, I was allowed to demo a new one recently, and while it was well built and worked great, it seemed rather pricey to me at over $4,500. I can't remember the brand. Is that the going price for a unit that does the job reasonably well? Can anyone recommend a less expensive make and model?

You can get a new 5-ft wide 3pt disc at Tractor Supply Co. for $600.

Northern Tool has a 4-ft Howse 3pt disc for $400.

I assume that you are doing light tilling between in your vineyard so a tandem disc harrow is what you want. Your tractor is more than enough to handle a small 4-ft disc.

 

[bigballer]

i think a disc harrow (tandem disc) or cultivator would be fine for what you need. a 4ft disc harrow should run $400-$500. there might be other options for you that others may offer but i think either of these would work fine for what you describe.

 

[Glowplug]

Holy cow! $4,500!!! What did your friend let you use? A John Deere 637 35 foot flex harrow?!?!?

 

[dixiedrifter]

I think the person who talked to you added in another zero to the figure or thought you were a complete idiot.

Anyways, I think you would be much happier with a PTO driven tiller for weed suppression and seeding. You can just set the depth control an inch or so deep to avoid root damage to the vines.

One pass is all it would take vs 3-4 passes with a disc, and any weed would get chopped into little tiny pieces wheras with a disc there will be some escapees.

Plus, the time you save will pay for the tiller vs. the disc over the long run.

 

[Gizmo36]

EAH Series Harrows - Erb & Roberts, Inc.

Tandem Disc Harrows

ETOX Series - Extra heavy duty lift type offset disc harrow - Erb & Roberts, Inc.

 

[Gizmo36]

A & B EAGLE LINE EQUIPMENT The Shield of Quality

A & B EAGLE LINE EQUIPMENT The Shield of Quality

A & B EAGLE LINE EQUIPMENT The Shield of Quality

 

[Glowplug]

Dude! Those Erb & Roberts Harrows you listed there in that link are super-duper heavy duty. I've never seen anything like that. Couple thousand pounds for some six footers! That's what I want. Unfortunately my tractor wouldn't be able to lift it. Looks they're mostly used in forestry for fireline maintenance and cutting.