disk for a 640 ford tractor .

[wolc123]

Well it sounds like you may be stuck with my least-favorite type of disk, the 3 point. At the end of this post, I will give you a way out of that dreadfull scenario. I had a 6.5 ft, Ford 3-pt, that was purchased along with my 8N, by a neighbor, back in 1951. That disk was sized for and always worked ok behind that 8n. It was a little small for the Ford 2000 that was my next primary tractor, and it got busted up behind that. Thankfully, I am a good welder, and was able to beef it up pretty good, preventing any further breakdowns. I beefed it up so well, that I never even broke it behind my next tractor, a JD 4120, that not only had a lot more hp, but also had 4wd, and probably is producing 3 times the drawbar pull as that little 8n. This was an ok little disk for working small gardens.

The problem I had with it is that I seldom, if ever used it on little gardens, but mostly on fields over, and sometimes a lot over 1/2 acre in size. Later, I acquired my 8-ft JD drag-disk, in an "offer I could not refuse" that was well under scrap price. After I fixed up that one and started using it, I was amazed at how much sooner it got the job done, and how much less fuel the tractor consumed, especially when you consider the wider width. I would still prefer the little 3-pt on a small garden, but in a sizable field there was absolutely no comparison between those two. The 8 ft, drag-type required a lot more room obviously, and 1/2 acres, square is about the minimum for turn-around. I imagine the reason the pull-types pull easier per unit width, and get the job done in less passes, has something to do with following the ground contour better. Whatever it is, the only way I would ever again use any 3-pt disk on larger acreage, would be at gunpoint.

Also, on little gardens, I would go with a roto-tiller, long before I considered another 3-pt disk. I would strongly suggest that you steer clear of a 3 point disk, which in my opinion, are the poorest application for any implement, on the 3-point hitch.

 

[Cvans]

Thanks for the reply. This one will be used in the spring on 4.5 acres of fall plowed ground. A drag will be pulled behind it for final leveling before planting. It will not be used for breaking ground as I have a digger and a plow for that. Time on the Fordson Dexta is not important as I enjoy doing field work. Also have people who have larger gardens in the area (within 10 miles) so I would just as soon drive the tractor there as to loading and unloading implements. My garden is 60'x150' so both garden and regular tractors get used there. Hopefully in a couple of months I will know the wisdom of this purchase.

 

[Loadstar]

I have a 6' 3pt. For my 640 and I wish I had a pull behind. Hate that 3pt

 

[DJ54]

The biggest problem I see with most 3 pt. disc's is the rigid frame, not allowing the separate gangs to flex some. A buddy of mine has a CA Allis with OEM snap coupler disc, and has the same problem with the rigid frame. That's also why I have an IH Fast Hitch disc that hardly ever gets used. Rigid frame, and you need to unbolt gangs to adjust the cut on it.

I borrowed a pic of a Massey 22 disc off another site similar to mine, and to show why I do like mine. If you'll note on top of the tubular frame, there are two uprights, to allow the strut holding the inner gang to float/flex a bit. It makes a BIG difference. Although bolts are in the lower holes in this pic to make it more rigid, moving them to the top holes will let it flex.


Plus it has the advantage of adjusting the cut pretty quickly with the adjusting handles. Full cut to disc plowed ground, or as mentioned, I used it to rough the sod in the fall preparing for spring frost seeding. Here is the finish I got with my Massey 22 last fall in the garden, when I sowed some Buckwheat & Oats for cover crop. I set it to full cut to disc up the left over vegetation, sowed the seed, then set it to a slight cut to cover the seed. Although I do have a 6' pull type with cultipacker attached, I decided to use the 3 pt. that day and was pleased with the results. It's most definitely a keeper..!!

 

[wolc123]

I agree, that it is the rigid frame, on probably 90% of 3-pt disks out there, that is the source of their poor performance. Your problem will be trying to locate that 10%, such as the Massey-Ferguson pictured there, with moveable gangs. I have never seen a 3-pt disk with that feature. Certainly none of the new ones over at TSC have it. The ones sold by Ford, back in the 50's didn't have it. That Massey disk would give you "the best of both worlds", with moveable gangs, and lift ability for tight spaces. If You do find such a "needle in a haystack" - go for it. Otherwise, considering the cost of fuel these days, you would be far ahead, sticking with a rototiller (under 1/2 acre), or pull-type disk for larger areas.

 

[Soundguy]

my ford disc from the 50's SURE does have moveable gangs. there is a cheap copy of it at tsc, box frame style with gangs that angle.

my ford disc was even hinged between the gangs,a nd gangs adjusted as a seperated X pattern. adjustable angle gangs are COMMON on box frame disc. and almost non existant on angle iron frame disc.. ie.. the cheaper ones.

 

[Soundguy]

as an example. the KK 6.5' box frame disc adjusts gangs from 16 to 57 degrees.

 

[wolc123]

Soundguy, once again, I messed up and did not get my point across clearly. I did not mean "adjustable", which your old Ford has, as do some sold today at TSC. What I meant by "moveable", was like on the old Massey pictured above. Those gangs are free to move up and down as the disk is in operation. That allows it to follow the ground contour better. However, I think it only allows for "up and down" motion, and not the additional "forward and backward" motion as is also allowed on drag-styles, and most lift-types. That would limit it's effectiveness in comparison. It looks like you are mixing up "moveable" (up and down anyhow), as I and DJ meant it , with "adjustable". "Adjustable" may be a good feature to have, but it don't do a hole lot for fuel economy, like "moveable" does. It does allow you to pull a larger disk with a smaller tractor, by setting at a lower angle. For example, I can use my 8 foot, drag-type, behind my aprox. 20 hp AC "C", but only if the ground is already pretty well worked up, or if the disk is set at a low angle. Obviously the lower the angle, the less effective is the disk at doing it's job. That 8 foot drag-type is a little too big for the "C" but just right for my 28 hp Ford 8n. It is grossly undersized for my 4wd, 43 hp JD, 4120.

That tractor could easily handle a 12 ft, pull-type disk, or probably an 8-ft, 3-pt. These days, of "hobby-farming", I prefer "undersized" implements behind my tractor(s). There are two reasons for this: First, it allows me to get my spring planting done sooner, as I have a mucky-bottomland farm, that takes a long time to dry out in the spring. With smaller implements, I can pull right thru the occasional mud-hole, especially with the 4wd/loader tractor. In 10 years, I have not got mine stuck deep enough where I could not pull myself out with the loader. Second, I have a full-time factory job, and I really enjoy my time after work, and on the weekends, out there on the tractor, so taking a little more time to get a particular job done is actually a benefit for me, most of the time.

As I mentioned before, there is no tractor implement that benefits more from 4WD than a disk. If you 4wd owners want to see this for your self, take your tractor out of 4wd one time, so you can experience how much more throttle you need (and fuel you must burn), to move that disk at the same speed while in 2wd. You won't see many farmers pulling disks with 2wd tractors, in these days of ridicules fuel prices, nor will you see many pulling big, 3-point disks. To make good money farming, you have to minimize input costs, and that certainly wont happen if disking in 2wd.

To make my definition of "adjustable" clear: I mean, the ability to change the angle of the gangs. Having the "adjustable" feature on a 3-point disk does not do anything for me, especially on an old Ford model, because they built the fixed ones at the optimum angle for getting the job done with their tractors anyhow (at least that is written in the implement sales broshure that came with my 1951 8N). As far as the "adjustable" feature on drag-types, I do have a clear preference. That would be the John Deere. The mechanism an them is quite simple, and they allow all adjustments to be made with a rope from the tractor seat. My next favorite disk is a "Bissell", and they also have a simple adjustment, but you got to get off the seat and turn a big wheel to make the adjustment. The only other drag- disk I have used is my uncles 8 foot IH, many years ago, and I seem to recall it having a little more complicated adjustment mechanism, and again, you had to get off the seat to adjust it. Yeah, I guess I am a little on the lazy side. Man, I cant wait to get out there on the tractors again, plowing, disking, and planting this spring.

For you folks looking for a drag-type disk, I have seen more JD's and Bissell's out there than any other. I would think that they would be the easiest makes to find, or get parts for. We have one of each today, and have had few if any problems with them (I needed to re-work the "cleaners" one time on my 8ft JD, and all the 6 ft Bissell ever needed was grease after each use). Good luck.

 

[Soundguy]

my ford disc is hinged. the rear 2 gangs can pivot 'up' from the rear gangs, or can be bolted to not pivot up. front gangs are limited by the hitch..

 

[Cvans]

What amazes me is the popularity of the 3 point discs. If one comes up for sale at a reasonable price the guys with deer or tree plots snatch them up right now. If they were that unusable you'd think the word would have gotten out by now.