Drag Harrow

[ALauer]

Hello All,
I currently have a 15' Drag Harrow that can be drawn behind a tractor. It isn't mounted on a frame, it just runs off a chain on the tractor. BELOW IS A PICTURE OF DADS NEW MASSEY TRACTOR RUNNING IT.

View attachment 501063




I am looking at purchasing a mounted drag harrow. I have way too many acres to keep running this little drag. To move it on a road I have to use my skid steer with forks to lift it up on to a trailer and then I have to strap it down. When we get to where we need to be, we need the tractor that runs the drag, (either the Ford 4600 SU or the Massey 4253), The trailer with the drag and the skid steer. To get all of this stuff down to my 2nd farm, it takes almost the entire day. By truck, it is a 20 minute drive. By tractor, it is almost a full hour. Two Truck loads (40 Minutes) and One Tractor Drive (1 hour). This is without the time of loading and strapping down stuff. Overall it takes me the entire day.

If I could buy me a folding drag, I would just need to drive the tractor with the drag behind it. It maybe would take me 20 minutes to hook up and grease the drag. An hour to drive down to the property and an hour back.

This is the drag I have looked at SO FAR. (BELOW)



ANY RECOMENDATIONS?!?!?

 

[bcp]

No comment on that equipment specifically, but roadable equipment can save huge mounts of time when there are scattered fields.

I worked for two companies that had fields or jobs scattered around about 5 miles radius. It wouldn't have been efficient if trailers or implement carriers were always needed.

Bruce

 

[ALauer]

BCP,

I agree. Especially needing my skid steer to lift the thing up. My skid loader also is especially difficult to strap down.

My other farm's barn doesn't have enough room for a tractor or machine. I have a Honda ATV parked in there and it barely even will fit. I need to move it whenever I need to get hay out of the barn to feed my animals. I also have to have someone pick me up after I drop off the tractor.

Also, lifting the drag up and off the trailer always dents the fenders.


I NEED a new drag!

 

[broadsword6]

ALauer,
Couldn't agree more. Drag harrows are the most annoying attachment. They do great work but they are so frustrating to handle, especially when they get tangled up. I have a 12 ft May Bridge harrow. It is heavy duty and seriously industrial strength. I love it because it scatters the manure in a single pass and does a superb job behind the Aerway when I am deep aerating the pastures. But moving it is a royal PITA. May Bridge has a device called a chain harrow caddy. It is quite ingenious. Might be what you need without having to replace your existing harrow. I am seriously considering one myself.

 

[ALauer]

broadsword6,

I agree. Mine gets so tangled I often have to lift it with my loader backhoe and fix it. HUGE WASTE OF TIME! I have about 450 total acres, about 3/4 is field, 1/4 or buildings/ a lake. If you have ever tried to drag a 200 acre farm with a 15' foot drag on an open station tractor in the heat, you know pain. I really don't like to drag, I have far better things to do. I have a manure spreader too, so I really have some spring work that I do. I spread with an open tractor too. I need a bigger harrow. End of story. I need it. I first harrow then spread, so the faster I can harrow, the less stressed I am about being done spreading in time. I will still consider welding myself a Harrow caddy, (I'm a good welder and I enjoy it). Thanks for your contribution!

 

[broadsword6]

ALauer,
200 acres with a 15ft harrow on an open station tractor...Are you kidding me? That is a recipe for dehydration and skin cancer all in one! Yes, that is a new definition for pain. You have both my sympathy and respect. I think the May Bridge Harrow is wildly over priced, even in Canadian Dollars. I have to admit I am considering a similar welding project, except it will be my local fabricator doing the welding. He is bloody amazing. I would be a fool to pick up a welder within a 50 mile radius of this guy. I'll send some pics along when and if I get one built. Maybe you could do the same. Can't imagine we are the only guys wrestling chain harrows (and losing). Cheers

 

[ALauer]

broadsword6,

I agree. I have a canopy on my Massey Ferguson 4253 and I drag with it. The canopy is really helpful but I can't get too close to my woods or trees. It's a good tractor all in all. I am going to look at a drag at a place tomorrow.

 

[broadsword6]

Have a good one!

 

[Wagtail]

There was a thread (a few years back) where a member had rigged up a 3PH boom pole with 4 lengths of chain. He could then pick up his drag harrow and set it down where he wanted.

 

[broadsword6]

Thanks Wagtail,
I've looked at 3PH Chain Harrow suspension frames. While they do keep the harrow organized you generally need a ground frame of some sort to put them down on so they stay at the right angle for hookup. Not a deal breaker by any means. But the deal breaker for me is that I use the chain harrow behind a deep tyne Aerator (Aerway), so a 3PH harrow frame is out of the question. Too bad really because it is a great solution otherwise. Not to worry though, I would never be seen dead on our farm without my steel toed Blunnies on. Go Tazzy!