discing with hydro

[daTeacha]

There is a general agreement that HST's are not ideal for ground engaging work. I have a DX29 (TC29D in red paint) HST. I am thinking about getting a 3 point disc to drag around my unplowed wooded area that we call a pasture in hopes of killing or chopping some of the less desirable stuff and enabling seeds of good feed to get a start without laying the whole hillside open to erosion during one of the heavy rains we seem to have more and more of.

How big a disc do you guys think this thing will pull? I have moderate soil weight, quite a few rocks just below the surface, tree roots, and about a 4/12 pitch on the ground. There is a 5 footer coming up at auction soon and I'm wondering if I should bother going and how much is a reasonable price. All help will be appreciated.

 

[Ford850]

Since you'll only be scratching the surface with it, you'll be able to use a larger one than you would if you really worked the soil. They cut an inch or so fairly easily, and if the gang angles are not to drastic they will roll along with little effort. I have a 6' that I set at full angle to flip the soil, and takes quite a bit more HP after a few passes as it buries in the soil (using my old ford 850). For comparison reasons, I'd say it takes 2/3 the power to pull it as my 2 bottom plow does, on that same 850. Again, that's with gangs set at a strong angle and after the soil is worked. That first pass takes a little more power than pulling my 6' brush hog. I also have 200 lbs of weight added to my disk to get it to cut in deeper. Without weight, they only cut in softer soils easliy, and tend to ride on top of firm soil (and that's probably what you want). I hope this helps.
I plan to do a similar 'slice' process on a couple hilly areas and a rough waterway too. I want to top seed some just to get a more favorable mix started, then let the mowing help the grasses take over.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree with ford850.. don't set the gangs real agressige, and you can probably pull a 6'er or in that area. Also.. to F-850.. you realize that old ford is a powerhouse.. same as an early 4000. i know my 850 is a real beast compaired to my 660.. very noticible power difference. How you liking yours?

Soundguy

 

[Ford850]

I agree with ford850.. don't set the gangs real agressige, and you can probably pull a 6'er or in that area. Also.. to F-850.. you realize that old ford is a powerhouse.. same as an early 4000. i know my 850 is a real beast compaired to my 660.. very noticible power difference. How you liking yours?

Soundguy

Soundguy,
I've had the 850 for 3 years. I fixed a few minor things, but now I think the hydraulics are going bad. It drops slowly, jerks to recover, sometimes I have to pull the lift lever all the way up and back down to get it to lift. It has some slow drippy leaks in other areas too. Other than those things, it's a beast. I love to hear the loud exhaust when plowing, etc., otherwise she purrs. It also has a front hydraulic lift snow plow. I have a long curved drive with a hill, and while it works great most of the time for snow, I got hung up in the deep snows (20"+)when I needed to turn around a few times. That turned into a dangerous situation this past year with temps well below zero, with me and my wife digging it out so we could open the drive in case of emergency. So I got a DX55 with loader this spring to replace the 850, or so I thought. When it came time to trade it in, I decided to keep the 850 too. I use the DX55 for rotary cutting and other heavier tasks, and have been using the 850 mainly for cultivating, with a carryall, and for casual rides around the property. I feel like it deserves a rest after 50 years of work, and I will have it as a back up for now. I'd really like to refurbish it with my son someday, but I'm afraid it will be difficult to find parts in a few more years.

daTeacha - sorry to hi-jack your thread. After my initial post, I did go out and pulled the disk through some high weeds, at idle rpms, and I was able to crawl right along. It scratches the soil about perfect for me when moving slow like that. That's probably what I will do in the areas I am over-seeding.

 

[cardenharry]

There is a general agreement that HST's are not ideal for ground engaging work. I have a DX29 (TC29D in red paint) HST. I am thinking about getting a 3 point disc to drag around my unplowed wooded area that we call a pasture in hopes of killing or chopping some of the less desirable stuff and enabling seeds of good feed to get a start without laying the whole hillside open to erosion during one of the heavy rains we seem to have more and more of.

How big a disc do you guys think this thing will pull? I have moderate soil weight, quite a few rocks just below the surface, tree roots, and about a 4/12 pitch on the ground. There is a 5 footer coming up at auction soon and I'm wondering if I should bother going and how much is a reasonable price. All help will be appreciated.

I have a DX33 with HST. Based on my experience with the HST I would think you should stick with the 5 ft.

 

[Soundguy]

I'd drain the oil and refill inthe hydro area, and consider putting in a new oring and backup washer on the piston... that leakdown and jerky lift are indicitave ov a leaky piston/cyl and the unloading valve regeneration. The not lifting tillyou actuate the valve fully is indicitave of dirt/crud inthe unloading valve.

Warning.. the unlaoding valve is not very dirt/crud tolerant.. and aint too easy to work on either.. compaired to the old 8n valving.. etc..

Soundguy

Soundguy,
I've had the 850 for 3 years. I fixed a few minor things, but now I think the hydraulics are going bad. It drops slowly, jerks to recover, sometimes I have to pull the lift lever all the way up and back down to get it to lift. It has some slow drippy leaks in other areas too. Other than those things, it's a beast. I love to hear the loud exhaust when plowing, etc., otherwise she purrs. It also has a front hydraulic lift snow plow. I have a long curved drive with a hill, and while it works great most of the time for snow, I got hung up in the deep snows (20"+)when I needed to turn around a few times. That turned into a dangerous situation this past year with temps well below zero, with me and my wife digging it out so we could open the drive in case of emergency. So I got a DX55 with loader this spring to replace the 850, or so I thought. When it came time to trade it in, I decided to keep the 850 too. I use the DX55 for rotary cutting and other heavier tasks, and have been using the 850 mainly for cultivating, with a carryall, and for casual rides around the property. I feel like it deserves a rest after 50 years of work, and I will have it as a back up for now. I'd really like to refurbish it with my son someday, but I'm afraid it will be difficult to find parts in a few more years.

daTeacha - sorry to hi-jack your thread. After my initial post, I did go out and pulled the disk through some high weeds, at idle rpms, and I was able to crawl right along. It scratches the soil about perfect for me when moving slow like that. That's probably what I will do in the areas I am over-seeding.