Question about drag harrows

[Stromeyer]

Hi all,

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I am looking at chain harrows and the like for pasture maintenance and breaking up manure in the field. Seems likes there is a huge range of prices and types to choose from. Possibly thinking of building my own with some old heavy timbers and chain link fence. Any recommendation on brands or types.

By the way this will be pulled by a Deere 4600, so I am thinking about 8' width.


Also has this forum come up with a name for the disease that causes otherwise sane individuals to spend too much time on TBN reading about tractor attachments that their significant others won't let through the door?

Thanks,
Willie

 

[Thomas]

Part 2.
Nine years later still no name,for addiction effects many in different forms.

Once TBN in your blood there ain't no cure...just therapy.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hi all,

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I am looking at chain harrows and the like for pasture maintenance and breaking up manure in the field. Seems likes there is a huge range of prices and types to choose from. Possibly thinking of building my own with some old heavy timbers and chain link fence. Any recommendation on brands or types.

By the way this will be pulled by a Deere 4600, so I am thinking about 8' width.


Also has this forum come up with a name for the disease that causes otherwise sane individuals to spend too much time on TBN reading about tractor attachments that their significant others won't let through the door?

Thanks,
Willie

I've devoted my life to the study of this disease. As of this time, no known cure.

But may I suggest a new therapy we've developed....Buy that chain harrow!

It is better to ask for forgiveness than to seek permission sometimes.

 

[crazymike]

your best bet is to go with a two way chain harrow.

I wouldn't try to make your own, I paid around $400 for my 8' x 8'. You can turn them around to do less damage for grass paddocks, etc... or have them go deep for doing the driveway, horse paths, etc...

I made a set once with chain link and it worked for about 20 minutes.

Also, don't go with the lift from the harrow manufacturer. It's bulky and very expensive. Instead you can buy a boom pole instead and hang the harrows from that.

You can also go with diamond, sold harrows. The idea is that they chatter and break up the clumps. I've never liked them myself, escpially when the ground is inconsistent.

 

[swines]

I got one of the "small pasture harrows" from Wingfield
Wingfield Flexible Chain Harrows - These high quality chain harrows are perfect for a mid-size operation. The drag harrow (Maxi Drawbar) or 3pt frame model (MaxiLift) utilize our fullest depth of section (7.5') to get the job done in a single pass!

They're pricey but really well made. The more weight - the better the harrow works as it doesn't bounce over dirt clods or hard ground.

I built my own frame for it with a 3-point hitch attachment. That cost me about $80 in materials + 1 weekend.

 

[HCJtractor]

I made a drag harrow out of heavy 4" x 6" angle iron. Used 3 pieces about 7' long. Drilled and placed 3 heavy eye bolts, 1 in the center and 1 towards each end. Connected all three in parallel about 3' apart with chain and also ran chain diagonally and criss-crossed in a web pattern between each angle. Where one chain crossed another, I linked together with a lap links or quick links. Of course attached a loop of chain at the front to connect to the vehicle. I found that if I connect this with a heavy 3 or 4" towing strap about 6' long to the hitch of a tractor, jeep, or truck, this provides some shock absorption if you snag something. Only problem is the turn radius. Sometimes in a narrow food plot, I have to unhitch and drive over it, turn and reconnect. The cost was very minimal, chain, links, and eye bolts, and usually buy cheap angle at a scrap yard. It has no teeth so it doesn't dig, but it will level the dirt big time! It also varies in action depending on if the edges are down or up. I have drug this probably 30 miles for years, and it shows no sign of wear. I have thought of welding short hardened spikes to one piece to allow creating a seed bed. After disc harrowing, when the soil is very uneven, a pass with this will leave it as level as a ball field. We also use it to cover seed, by driving pretty fast so it doesn't dig in too deep. It does a great job of leveling tires ruts in dirt roads. We drag is around as we travel across our property just to keep the roads looking fresh. It's heavy, takes two to lift it, but we rarely need to. Just unhitch the chain and let it lay.

 

[PhilVA]

I had the same issue, what to use to bust up the horse manure in the pastures. Ended up getting the very same drag you see used on baseball fields. Was less money than a regular drag harrow. It does not damage the grasses at all and does a nice job!

I also tried using a section of a gate for a chain link fence. Did a so-so job and lasted about a month.

Good luck!

Phil
VA

 

[MarkLeininger]

Hi all,
Also has this forum come up with a name for the disease that causes otherwise sane individuals to spend too much time on TBN reading about tractor attachments that their significant others won't let through the door?

No name but there is help:
1. Admit you are powerless over attachments, that your life has become unmanageable.
2. Believe that a power greater than yourself can restore you to sanity.

....

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Hi all,

Also has this forum come up with a name for the disease that causes otherwise sane individuals to spend too much time on TBN reading about tractor attachments that their significant others won't let through the door?

Thanks,
Willie

Here is a thread that might help you out, it is from awhile back though.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...tractor-addiction-wife-abandonment-guilt.html

 

[Stromeyer]

Thanks for the info everyone.

After reading the links about tractor addiction, I must step up to make a confession.

Last year when my wife was on vacation for a week with a friend, I did a little implement shopping.

She didn't find the rotary cutter for a few days. I spend those days building a dog house for myself to move into.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Delta tooth harrow.

Incredibly overbuilt, works unbelievably well at breaking up manure
doesn't tangle (which is by far the most frustrating thing about chain harrows)

Hi-Valley Manufacturing

Even I haven't been able to break it (and that says a lot)

 

[mojoinco]

I've seen them at the Denver Stock Show over the years. Always looked neat. Why I bought one of those reversible ones, I don't know. I'll sell you one cheap though.

 

[LBrown59]

I'd like to rig this one up so I can lift transport and turn it with the 3 point on my bx1500.

 

[flusher]

Hi all,

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I am looking at chain harrows and the like for pasture maintenance and breaking up manure in the field. Seems likes there is a huge range of prices and types to choose from. Possibly thinking of building my own with some old heavy timbers and chain link fence. Any recommendation on brands or types.

By the way this will be pulled by a Deere 4600, so I am thinking about 8' width.


Also has this forum come up with a name for the disease that causes otherwise sane individuals to spend too much time on TBN reading about tractor attachments that their significant others won't let through the door?

Thanks,
Willie

Here's a cheap way to handle your job.

In my case the tires were free and I my neighbor supplied a length of old telephone pole. Only expense was about $30 for chain.

 

[AKfish]

Here's a cheap way to handle your job.

In my case the tires were free and I my neighbor supplied a length of old telephone pole. Only expense was about $30 for chain.

What'd you use to link the tires together?

AKfish

 

[Missouri]

I have used a 16 foot cattle panel, weighted with some old tires ( if you want only 8 foot width cut in half with bolt cutters and fasten together making your drag 8'x8'). Works great, and costs only $20. Attach to tractor with chain and clevis. As with any type of drag, you get better results by dragging you pasture after a light rain ( softens up manure)
Hope this is some help.

 

[flusher]

What'd you use to link the tires together?

AKfish

1/4" stranded steel cable and cable clamps.
Chains would work also.

 

[Missouri]

I have used a 16 foot cattle panel, weighted with some old tires ( if you want only 8 foot width cut in half with bolt cutters and fasten together making your drag 8'x8'). Works great, and costs only $20. Attach to tractor with chain and clevis. As with any type of drag, you get better results by dragging you pasture after a light rain ( softens up manure)
Hope this is some help.

 

[thavil]

If you have a Tractor Supply near you, they sell drag harrows also Search Results. I pull mine at least twice a month, so it gets a lot of use with no issues to date. I drag it in both of my pastures to break up manure and also around the barn area. The harrow can be pulled in three different positions 1.tines agressive 2. tines less agressive 3. tines up (best for pasture to break up manure without harming the grass).