New guy here seeking knowledge!

[Amiddlebrooks]

Hey everyone! I’m new here to the forums! I have 6 acres that’s been a hayfield for the longest time. But for the past 10 years it hasn’t been cut or anything. I’ve been working on getting everything back under control and the next task is the field itself. It’s covered in weeds but there is some Bermuda left and the ground is ridiculously hard and compacted and very rough. Do y’all have any suggestions on the steps I need to take to get it smooth and reclaim it? Here’s a picture of the land as it sits other than of course everything is dead lol. The tractor I have is a 1978 2040 as well. Any help would be appreciated. I can follow instructions and stuff so if you guys could just help me layout a plan to follow. I’m also aware this is going to take implements so if y’all could tell me what I need to buy as well! Thanks in advance!

 

[jeff9366]

1) Mow vegetation as low a possible with a Rotary Cutter AKA Bush Hog. "Scalp"

2) Use a 12" or 14" width Moldboard Plow to break the hard soil and turn under the residual vegetation.
A 2-WD Deere 2040 can pull a two bottom plow in either 12" or 14" width.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compact+tractor+moldboard+plow


3) Use a box frame Tandem Disc Harrow to reduce plow furrows and mix the soil. By going over the land several times with the Disc Harrow adjusted less aggressively with each pass you may get the land satisfactorily flat and smooth with just the Moldboard Plow and box frame Tandem Disc Harrow, after scalping.

A 2-WD Deere 2040 can pull a box frame Tandem Disc Harrow with pans 20" or 22" in diameter, as wide as the rear wheels/tires.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compact+tractor+tandem+disc+harrow


4) To make the land really smooth and 'clean' you need to follow Tandem Disc Harrow with a "framed" or "lift" Chain Harrow.

A "lift" Chain Harrow reliably drops 'trash' accumulated in mat, when harrow is raised and tractor moved a short distance in reverse. Self cleaning is perhaps the major advantage of framed Chain Harrows over unframed, mat Chain Harrows pulled from the tractor drawbar.


VIDEOS: 3 Point Chain Harrows by ABI Attachments

Wingfield American Harrow Montage 4k - YouTube

Chain Harrow - YouTube



T-B-N ARCHIVE: smooth hay field site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[KCPO]

Jeff9366 has a plan that will work well; done it several times with the addition of running a subsoiler every two or three years. however if you don't have an ongoing need for this equipment, I would ask around and pay to have it done.

 

[Wagtail]

What tractor do you have? 1978 2040 means nothing to me.

Knowing your location will help answer your question satisfactorily.

I am shocked, SHOCKED, that you do not know that a 2040 is a John Deere, jeff! (alright, I'm not that shocked as I Googled "2040 tractor" to quickly find out)

As to the OP: G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site... from wherever in the world you are.

 

[dougtrr2]

A lot of people here with different interests. Just to clarify, what is you ultimate use for the field? That could very well impact what you need to do to "reclaim" it.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Amiddlebrooks]

What tractor do you have? 1978 2040 means nothing to most of your readers.

Informing us of your location will help answer your question satisfactorily.

Sorry about that, it’s a John Deere 2040. And I am from Madison, Georgia in the USA.

 

[Amiddlebrooks]

Jeff9366 has a plan that will work well; done it several times with the addition of running a subsoiler every two or three years. however if you don't have an ongoing need for this equipment, I would ask around and pay to have it done.

I’m hoping there will be an ongoing need for it. I hope we can acquire the land around us soon which is around 50 acres.

 

[Amiddlebrooks]

A lot of people here with different interests. Just to clarify, what is you ultimate use for the field? That could very well impact what you need to do to "reclaim" it.

Doug in SW IA

Eventually I’d like to put a cow or 2 on it for meat and plant some of it with corn. Right now I just want it to be smooth and get all of those weeds under control.

 

[Amiddlebrooks]

I am shocked, SHOCKED, that you do not know that a 2040 is a John Deere, jeff! (alright, I'm not that shocked as I Googled "2040 tractor" to quickly find out)

As to the OP: G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site... from wherever in the world you are.

Thanks for the welcome! I’m from the US.

 

[Amiddlebrooks]

1) Mow weeds as low a possible with a Rotary Cutter AKA Bush Hog. "Scalp"

2) Use a 12" or 14" width Moldboard Plow to break the hard soil and turn under the residual vegetation.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compact+tractor+moldboard+plow


3) Use a box frame Tandem Disc Harrow to reduce plow furrows and mix the soil. By going over the land several times with the Disc Harrow adjusted less aggressively with each pass you may get the land satisfactorily flat and smooth with just the Moldboard Plow and box frame Tandem Disc Harrow, after scalping.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compact+tractor+tandem+disc+harrow


4) To make the land really smooth and 'clean' you need to follow Tandem Disc Harrow with a "framed" or "lift" Chain Harrow.

A "lift" Chain Harrow reliably drops 'trash' accumulated in mat, when harrow is raised and tractor moved a short distance in reverse. Self cleaning is perhaps the major advantage of framed Chain Harrows over unframed, mat Chain Harrows pulled from the tractor drawbar.


VIDEOS: 3 Point Chain Harrows by ABI Attachments

Wingfield American Harrow Montage 4k - YouTube

Chain Harrow - YouTube



T-B-N ARCHIVE: smooth hay field site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

Awesome. Yea I just bought a bush hog yesterday. Now I’ll I need to re-seed after doing this and when is the best time of year to do it? Also, I’m assuming the ground needs to be fairly dry.