What now? Disc won't penetrate

[beenthere]

Re: What now? Disc won\'t penetrate

A disk the size you are talking about won't do much to un-plowed ground, as you are finding out. Try more weight, but I suspect it will just scratch across the surface, and at most sever the weeds at the ground level.
In my opinion, most ground that hasn't been broken up, will not give into a disk. Some plowing disks that are really heavy and pulled behind higher hp tractors might penetrate.

For your weed problem, I would mow and spray and not disk, either a herbicide or maybe even a 'round-up' type product. A herbicide will not affect any grasses that you have coming, and I presume is what you eventually want. Grasses will keep some weeds down, at least better than scratching the ground open with a disk. The weed seeds really like that. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Taking a look at the size of disk used to make fire-lines and the size of the tractor (crawler usually) pulling the disks will give you an idea what working up the soil for bare ground will take mechanically.

 

[stevenf]

Re: What now? Disc won\'t penetrate

beenthere, You may be right my only experience discing is with my 90HP M9000 and an 8' disc which in farming terms is way undersized for my machine but I needed it for the width and portability (its a 3 point disc) consequently I just weight it down and point it in the direction I want to go and I'm off. If I remember correctly the poster has a 18hp machine and 4' disc so by the time he gets enough weight on it to put it in the ground it'll probably stop the machine if it hasn't rained in the last week or so especially if he's adjusted for an agressive cut. Although he might be able to adjust his depth and do multiple passes successfully don't know.
Steve

 

[have_blue]

Re: What now? Disc won\'t penetrate

Pilot,

Discing long grass and weeds quickly results in a balled up disc. It's really a bear to unwind bird's nests made of blackberries! You need to mow the weeds first, then disc and plant your grass or crop.

You mentioned that adding too much disc weight would require front weights. That's a bit unusual. Normally, 100% of the disc's weight is on the ground, and weight is not a factor until you pick it up. If your front is a little light, it's not a big deal unless you keep the disc on much of the time. A 4 footer plus 200# of weight shouldn't be too much, if you have A FEL.

If the ground is real hard, try going a little faster. Be patient, make multiple passes, and it will eventually break through. Or just wait for rain and catch the soil just right.

 

[Donman]

Re: What now? Disc won\'t penetrate

Just wondered if your disc blades are round or serrated? It seems like the serrated discs should cut thru with a little weight.

 

[jimmoore]

Re: What now? Disc won\'t penetrate

Try this, add the weights, set steep angleand shorten the top link untill the back gang no longer touches the ground. You will then have all the weight on just one gang. then lap back half a width each time. Thats the way the old Bush and Bog disc worked. try it and see if it works for you and let me know.

 

[jimmoore]

Re: What now? Disc won\'t penetrate

Picture.

 

[bdog]

Re: What now? Disc won\'t penetrate

Wait for a rain. As soon as the soil is dry enough to not stick to the discs try it. Our ground here gets so hard that it can not be plowed with a 235hp 4wd tractor with duals. After a rain it is no problem.

 

[Pilot]

Re: What now? Disc won\'t penetrate

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Ran up to the dealer this afternoon & picked up some suitcase weights for the tractor, so now I can load the disc more heavily (a month ago he said he didn't have them!).

So, plan B: First, I'll see if the extra weight helps.

Plan C: If that doesn't do it, I'll mow what I can between the stumps, then spray everything. After some fall rains, I'll try the disc again. I may even try my cultivator along there somewhere, mostly to rip & tear the blackberries to keep them from getting any worse than they already are.

Plan D: I better not need a plan D!

 

[Slamfire]

Re: What now? Disc won\'t penetrate

I'm puzzled that your cultivator tries to lift the front of your tractor, isn't is a 3 point hitch implement? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[MMM]

Re: What now? Disc won\'t penetrate

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( tried the disc on an area I had mowed beforehand, but there was no improvement. )</font>

Depending what type vegetation was mowed, you may have to clear ground of debris or the disc (especially light one) won't penetrate trash. A notched pan is best for primary tillage in trash. One easy source for weight is 55gal drumof H2O ratchet strapped to disc frame.
Front weights will help if you get enough weight on disc and your tractor is heavy enough for tires to "hook up" and cause front end float. Front weight isn't just for packing implements around.