Disk Size for a Kubota MX5100?

[jeff9366]

Wheeled discs generally lift via hydraulic power from the tractor. But if you lift the discs you have weight on the tires, almost the same as a three point hitch mounted disc carries implement weight on the tractor's tires. I do not have any personal experience with a towed disc with wheels but I expect 5-horsepower per foot would be sufficient as you can raise the disc a tad to reduce draft force.

Towed Tandem Disc Harrows without transport wheels, such as Massey-Feruson #25, require more power to pull because ALL the harrow weight bears directly on the individual pans, that is why 6 to 7-hp per foot of width is necessary.

Check out MtnViewRanch's NO WHEEL, towed Off-set Disc Harrow in Post #6 and you will see why more power is necessary. Think of the draft force!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Wheeled discs generally lift via hydraulic power from the tractor. But if you lift the discs you have weight on the tires, almost the same as a three point hitch mounted disc carries implement weight on the tractor's tires. I do not have any personal experience with a towed disc with wheels but I expect 5-horsepower per foot would be sufficient.

Towed Tandem Disc Harrows without transport wheels, such as Massey-Feruson #25, require more power to pull, that is why 6 to 7-hp per foot of width is necessary.

Check out MtnViewRanch's NO WHEEL, towed Off-set Disc Harrow in Post #6 and you will see why more power is necessary. Think of the draft force!

We also have a 12 footer of the same type. The 75hp tractor will pull it on flat ground for a first pass only, it won't do it after that. We use our old CAT D6 to pull it over most of our land and if the conditions are right, even it will get the tracks on the CAT slipping (spinning out).

 

[jeff9366]

What are you growing in those fields?

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I've never used a pull-type disc without gauge wheels. Seems like it would be a PITA to move it from one place to another. The ones I used back on the farm, both tandem and offset, all had gauge wheels adjusted with a hydraulic cylinder.

The hydraulic cylinder adjustable wheels allow you to adjust the depth to suit your needs and the tractor's power. They also allow you to raise it up all the way out of the ground to move it from place to place without plowing.

Also, we used to raise it out of the ground when turning in the field. Turning with the discs in the ground puts a lot of stress on the discs, and can also stress the bearings and bearing hangers.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

What are you growing in those fields?

WEEDS. We were burned out 12 years ago, :thumbsup: I just keep things disked up when I have a chance. We had another BIG wildfire a year ago or so, came within just over 1000 feet of our place on the East and South sides of our property. If I can ever afford to get a bat wing, I will just keep most of it mowed.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I've never used a pull-type disc without gauge wheels. Seems like it would be a PITA to move it from one place to another. The ones I used back on the farm, both tandem and offset, all had gauge wheels adjusted with a hydraulic cylinder.

The hydraulic cylinder adjustable wheels allow you to adjust the depth to suit your needs and the tractor's power. They also allow you to raise it up all the way out of the ground to move it from place to place without plowing.

Also, we used to raise it out of the ground when turning in the field. Turning with the discs in the ground puts a lot of stress on the discs, and can also stress the bearings and bearing hangers.

No problem turning, as long as you turn left. Disks pop right out of the ground. Cutting depth is adjusted by the angle, less angle=less depth. Transporting on the ranch is no problem, set the disks straight and they just ride along on top of the ground. Sharp turns, no problem, but only as sharp as the draw bar allows before it's up on the tire or track. If a person knows what they are doing, the only time that it's tough is when you are on the first row and you have to turn and come back right next to where you had just left. You get use to it and it becomes automatic.

First row is hard, need to keep it straight and that is hard when you can't see the other end of where you are going. Second row is easy after you make the super tight turn. lt's easy after that. :thumbsup:

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Brian, I understand completely about those left-hand-only turns. I pulled one-way discs and offset discs for years.

You can actually turn an offset disc to the right if you make a gentle turn. If you turn too short to the right, the frame of the plow will catch on the right rear tractor tire, and the disc starts climbing up the tire - tread by tread. If you don't notice it quick enough, the disc can be right on top of you before you know it. (Don't ask me how I know.) I've heard of people being killed that way.

 

[Guesseral]

Well then I assume I should be ok with an 8 or 9' wheeled disc at 47 HP and 4wd.

 

[jeff9366]

Well then I assume I should be ok with an 8 or 9' wheeled disc at 47 HP and 4wd.

Local conditions always rule and I do not know farming in Erie.

It is convenient to have a disc 12" wider than your wheels, 6" per side, so you can disc closer along fence lines, etc.

Frames are solid, but usually disc hangers can be moved in/out 6"-12" along the frame.

Personally I would stay with eight feet. If you decide to turn deep you may need all 47-horsepower.

Remember, you need to be able to move over ground at a good clip in order to throw soil out and in to get a good mix and disrupt unwanted vegetation.

 

[Deerherd]

Well then I assume I should be ok with an 8 or 9' wheeled disc at 47 HP and 4wd.

I have an Athens disc that is right at 100" and with the scrapers weighs in at 2000 lbs. I have a clay soil and am constantly dealing with wet conditions and even with 88 hp and R1 tires it will bog down. I think you might be ok in good conditions with a wheeled disc if you went just slightly wider than your track. You can put some weight on the tires to cut down on drag but would want to be able to run it most of the time in a wheel up position. Do you have R1 or R4 tires?