Dragging a Pasture

WAR · Feb 12, 2003

Can anyone give me some good ideas for making a pull-behind drag for pasture maintenance? I've heard of using everything from chain link fence to box springs. As all of my other tractor implements are new, I'd prefer that my drag not look too "tacky". Also, the ability to spray paint a little "GREEN" trim on it would be nice!

( A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words )

Justaplain · Feb 12, 2003

A harrow for just this purpose is made in England. I can't think of the name, but is a series of heavy tines on chains. I use to use an old "spike tooth harrow" or "smoothing harrow". bcs

normde2001 · Feb 12, 2003

I would think your boxblade would do as well as anything for that purpose. I have an old field that I am trying to get as near like a lawn as possible and I just keep dragging it with my boxblade, sitting about 1" above ground level.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 12, 2003

Here is what a New factory harrow looks like--Maybe this help and also give you some ideas?? Pricing usually runs $400-$700 depending on width of harrow. We actually do have customers that told us that they are using bed springs to scatter manure from a cattle or horse operation--However--This process does not get the penetration needed for stimulating pasture growth or incorperating seed--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

Youare · Feb 12, 2003

I have used a section of chain link fence about 8' high which became the width around 8' or 10' long. This works pretty good to smooth out fairly level loose soil, like after using a York type rake.

I have the iron bar which is used at the end of a run on one end to which I attach a piece of chain to pull it with. If the gound is a litte hard or rough I take a piece of landscape timber or a 6" diameter section of tree and attach it across the fence right up in the front. This gives a little more "down" pressure and greater smoothing effects.

I have used it for going over an area just seeded, if you do not have a seeder, to cover the broadcasted seed. My fence was to begin with. The best part is when you are done it rolls up quite nice and you can store it standing in a corner out of the way.

The looks of the tool are not as important as how wel it works. Most poeple say that's a neat idea, why didn't I think of that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Randy

herbenus · Feb 12, 2003

I have a buddy in the overhead crane business who made a drag out of a piece of crane rail (10-15 feet long I think). Not sure how effective it was. I have another buddy with some cattle. He says the catttle won't graze next to cow patties. So he has a length of chain link fence attached to the back of his mower to break up patties while mowing.

This is the extent of my experience. Unless you count the scalping I sometimes do (not intentional) with my brushhog on high spots.

Justaplain · Feb 12, 2003

Thats the animal i meant. It is reverible??? Just turn it over, now what is the British name?? bcs

Egon · Feb 12, 2003

For what you want to accomplish Me Thinks the picture of the harrow or something similar would be a good investment. I do beleive there are also implements of the same nature made but are PTO driven for a rotary action.

Egon

cowboydoc · Feb 12, 2003

I wouldn't even waste your time unless you just want to knock down the manure unless you buy one of the harrows specifically just for pastures. There are several brands out there. I will get you a pic of mine. I have gone over mine with chainlink fence, a field harrow, etc. and nothing does the job of one like the pic Ken showed you. I can guarantee you to go out and use of those on a strip and use a homemade or chain, etc. on a strip and see which side grows faster and is greener. The good ones are a lifesaver to pastures for sure.

Soundguy · Feb 12, 2003

It is hard to beat that good old fashoined drag harrow like sweettractor has pictured.... a great investment.

Soundguy

Anonymous Poster · Feb 12, 2003

Thats the animal i meant. It is reverible??? Just turn it over, now what is the British name?? bcs 

Yes it is reversable and is built from 5/8 inch diameter high carbon/high chrome steel. Picture shows a Tarzan model--The Fuerst and Hackett are somewhat lighter built (7/16 diameter tines instead of 5/8)-I think the Hackett may be the british??--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

MikePA · Feb 12, 2003

We got a small Feurst drag harrow (3'w x 6'l?) from TSC that works fine behind our 16 hp garden tractor for dragging our outdoor riding ring. Works even better behind our TC25D /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Even this small one is not something you want to try and move far by hand. In other words, it's best if you can drag it where it will be stored.

The depth of 'cut' is controlled in one of three ways. With the 'teeth' pointed down, the harrow can be pulled from either end which gives 2 levels of cut depending upon which way the teeth are pointing. You can also flip the entire harrow over (teeth pointing up) which is the least aggressive.

My sister bought a frame for her drag harrow. The frame attaches to the 3ph. This allows her to lift the drag harrow and position it in a corner. Keep in mind too that you want to store it where no one, including the horses, can step on it and possibly get tangled in it.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 12, 2003

The frame attaches to the 3ph. This allows
her to lift the drag harrow 

Hi Mike--A inexpensive boom pole will work well for that also--Just hang a couple chains from the boom down to the harrow--Of course you could only use this setup on the TC25D--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

BrettW · Feb 13, 2003

OK, educate me if you will. Does this implement flatten out/ smooth a field and also bury seed thus stimulating germination? I'll be working about 2 acres soon and I'd like it to look like a yard, cause that's what it will be. But I think I'd just make a big mess with a box blade. thanks, bw

TresCrows · Feb 13, 2003

I have a flexible harrow from Furest. It is the 6 by 10 size I think. It is excellent for seeding and smoothing and working in fertilizer. Of course the penetration is limited but I love the thing anyway. It is also excelent for dragging arenas, driveways and gravel roadways and lot's of other stuff. Mine was around 350 dollars new I think. It is reversable and can also be flipped for different effects. J

Hoeman00 · Feb 13, 2003

I got 2 of the 8' wide models and put hooks on outside corners
of box blade so it covers 16' a pass.
Mine are 7/16" and got for $125 each at F & F closeout.
Seems NOBODY wanted them /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

cowboydoc · Feb 13, 2003

I would not recommend a boxblade at all. All you will get with a boxblade is leveling of the soil. You could get some aeration with the teeth but without a harrow to drag behind I don't think it would be a good idea.

You aren't looking so much to flatten and smooth out the field as you are to stimulate the soil. It does do this but if you're really looking at pasture maint. with animals you want your manure spread and you want to de-thatch the dead matter and break up the ground to allow water to better get to the plants and allow them to come up better. The tines on the good harrows will do all of this and more.

Soundguy · Feb 13, 2003

The way I store mine, is drag it to where i want it, then lay a canvas tarp over it, then roll it up on itself. The canvas prevents it getting tangled. Once rolled up, I rope both ends off, and can then pick it up with the boom pole and put it in a corner or something.

Deffinately can't leave it out for the horses...

Soundguy

Anonymous Poster · Feb 13, 2003

Does this implement flatten out/ smooth a field and also bury seed thus stimulating
germination?
Hello BW--It will help smooth out to prepare a seedbed, work in seed,de-thatch existing grass roots that needs stimulating and probably the best money maker for people that have horses or cattle is the spreading out of the manure, thus eleminating a place for the parisites to set up production (face flys, worms etc).--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

bubenberg · Feb 15, 2003

all these guys are spending your money, i was 32 years in the equine science business and when other people spent their hard earned money, i used all these devises but since i am in my minor now, (landscaping and turf maintenance, such as topdressing) i have learned a few things of how to safe money and get the job done easier, and possibly better.

the chainlink and sophisticated link drags are difficult to store and move around etc. here is a cheap way that does an excellent job get yourself a 4x8 expanded metal sheet (the calt walk size you see in factories, 1-2 inches openings). you can cut it in half and attach the two halfs with two chain repair rings, two more to attach to the chain so your tractor can pull it and you can "go to town" on your pastures, driveways lawns for less than a hundred dollars.

good luck

hans /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif