HOW HEAVY A DISC

[flINTLOCK]

I'd like to pick up a 2 row serrated offset disc for use in establishing food plots for deer. We'll be using tractor in the 35 hp range. I've been told in a foodplot forum to get biggest disc tractor will lift. Been looking at 6 ft unit for this application. Is weight likely to be a factor with that combination??

 

[rdln]

a 6 foot tandem offset disk would be fine for a 35hp 4wd, should be able weigh down with heavy objects if needed. Or a 5 ft rototiller!!

The economy models will be light and more available than a heavy 6 footer like landprides.

But a word of caution...if your land has not been turned in years you might need to plow first. these CUT disks do not bust sod like a real ag disk.

 

[Glowplug]

That is not so simple to answer. You would want the heaviest disc that tractor could handle because the weight of the disc is what makes it do its job. But you need to know the weight of the disc you are considering and the lifting capacity of your 3ph. That is the main thing to consider (3ph lifting capacity). You may even consider getting a drag disc. These are an older type of disc and larger and heavier but you don't lift them by the 3ph. Your tractor would be able to handle a larger disc harrow with this type. Problem is, you can't turn and maneuver tightly and you can't lift it at all. You must disc wherever you take it. Another good option would be a pull type wheel disc. These have hydraulics that put wheels down and raise the disc up off the ground. These are usually larger. You don't lift the whole implement but just lower the wheels with your rear mount hydraulics to raise the disc up. They're expensive. And you can't maneuver like you can with a lift disc.

I am personally planning to get a 9 foot 3ph lift disc when I get my tractor. I would like to go larger (ie heavier) but you run into a problem with transporting the disc when it gets too wide. Some of the very large wheel discs actually have folding arms like batwings. But they're usually for heavy duty ag tractors.

Give us some information about what soil type you are dealing with, the lifting capacity of your 3ph, and the weight of the lift disc you are considering.

 

[RobJ]

Give us some information about what soil type you are dealing with, the lifting capacity of your 3ph, and the weight of the lift disc you are considering.

The soil is something a lot of folks forget about. I've posted pictures of the garden I play with. Initially this area as a deer plot my 26hp L2500 and a 5' light duty (I can toss on a 200#+ flywheel for more weight) would get me in the ground a few inches. But I turned it with a plow and it's real sandy loam. With no weight on the disk it'll bury my L in 5 feet. It'll also bury a 50hp Ford (4630 I think) with it's 3pt 10' disk. So I have to constantly feather the depth in certain spots.

Most food plots are small so a bigger disk isn't needed, and as mentioned it may cost more and be harder to move. Smaller sometimes gives you more flexibility.

Good Luck,
Rob

 

[CDsdad]

I have a 6' 9" disc I use with my 33 hp tractor. It weighs +/- 750 lbs. No issues lifting it and it broke up my pasture well. I haven't had any problem in my garden with it either. It will bury up in wet soil, as any size probably would, but I don't need powder dry to operate it.

I'd recommend a turining plow initially and then disc over if you can, that's how I started my garden and it worked better than just discing as I did on my food plots. As said above, smaller discs don't break sod near as well as big ag discs.

 

[GEB]

I'm also looking to buy a disc, I have a 47hp 4X4.
I'll be bustin up a few acres of sod that is ruff to reseed.
I'm lookin at a few different of the cheaper disc 6.5 ft 3pt.
These things run new around $650 so picking one up used in good shape
for around $300 should be fair...? I found 5 or 6 of them at the auction up the road..next week.
I was thinking rather than the plow that I dont have maybe run my
box scraper with the teeth all the way down to bust it up 1st then disc it.
The area that I'll be working has a lot of hi & low spots and I've got it
rutted up pertty well from my 1ton dump truck from removing dirt from the pond.
Anyway just thought I'd chime in and share my plan and get some feedback
about using the B-scraper to help bust up the sod 1st?
I also plan to add weight to the disc as needed.
I would think if I cross cut it with the BS then disc it several times I might get
it so I can level it out, I also have a nice drag harrow to finish it up.
Any sugestions?
Gene

 

[Egon]

Go with a narrow disc and add weight as needed.