What size disk?

[123rday]

I was wondering what size disk I could use behind a Ford 861 with 48hp diesel engine. I need to disk my parents property every so often due to the CRP program my mother signed up for. I have to do 23 acres this year and another 24 acres next year, then not again until 2014/2015. Meanwhile I am looking at puttting in a garden next year at my place, and every year after as long as I am able. Garden probably won't be much bigger then 15'x30', hard to say for sure until I figure out what all we will plant. Haven't worked in a garden for 25 years. Also my intensions are to purchase a 3038e JD, or 1520 NH in the near future so I can have a compact with loader. So was kinda hoping for a disk big enough to due the acreage with the 861, but if the 861 went down, could tackle with either of the 35-37 hp tractors. Thanks for any and all inputs.

 

[Reg]

I would guess a 6ft wide 20 disk, 18 inch set up would work behind any of those.
Obviously disk'ing isn't plowing, but there can be a similar benefit to getting up a bit of speed, especially if the soil is damp/wet.
The other factor is disk thickness, as in WEIGHT. I think 3 mm is about as thin as they go and maybe 6mm (about 1/4 inch) the heaviest - for Cat 1 tractors.
The thick disks will penetrate better and last longer, but of course you have to be able to raise them (& PAY for them).

I was CONSIDERING changing out a set of 18s for 20s and going up a thickness step, but they ain't cheap and for now I'll stick with (removable) ballast.

 

[123rday]

I would guess a 6ft wide 20 disk, 18 inch set up would work behind any of those.
Obviously disk'ing isn't plowing, but there can be a similar benefit to getting up a bit of speed, especially if the soil is damp/wet.
The other factor is disk thickness, as in WEIGHT. I think 3 mm is about as thin as they go and maybe 6mm (about 1/4 inch) the heaviest - for Cat 1 tractors.
The thick disks will penetrate better and last longer, but of course you have to be able to raise them (& PAY for them).

I was CONSIDERING changing out a set of 18s for 20s and going up a thickness step, but they ain't cheap and for now I'll stick with (removable) ballast.

Thanks for your input. I wasn't sure if I could go with a 6' or if I'd have to use a 5'. the other issue I will have will be is I will only be able to raise and lower using my 3 point because my 861 doesn't have any rear hydralics nor does the 3038e come with them either.

 

[Reg]

Thanks for your input. I wasn't sure if I could go with a 6' or if I'd have to use a 5'. the other issue I will have will be is I will only be able to raise and lower using my 3 point because my 861 doesn't have any rear hydralics nor does the 3038e come with them either.

I don't (yet) understand why rear hydraulics would be relevant.
WEIGHT is your friend, just be sure you have the lift capacity to be able to carry it safely.
A free floating top link would allow even weight distribution front/rear.

 

[123rday]

I don't (yet) understand why rear hydraulics would be relevant.
WEIGHT is your friend, just be sure you have the lift capacity to be able to carry it safely.
A free floating top link would allow even weight distribution front/rear.

Because as a kid growing up, and being around on my grandfathers farm the disk used there hooked to the drawbar and used hydralics to raise and lower the wheels that allowed transporting of the disk back and forth to the fields, and by adjusting the wheels I believe it also set the cutting depth, if I'm not mistaken.

I'll have to do some researching online to determine the lift capacity of the 861. It's easy to find for the 3038e on deere's web site.

A search as well for the free floating top link. Although I'm sure TSC would have one.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

That tractor would toy with a 6' disc. It would handle an 8'er with relative ease. Seen 'em totin' a 10'er in IDEAL conditions. I'd go 7' or 8' myself.

 

[Midsouth]

I agree with FWJ i would go with at least a 7 foot. I pull a 6 foot with a 35 horse Mahindra with no problem.

 

[123rday]

That tractor would toy with a 6' disc. It would handle an 8'er with relative ease. Seen 'em totin' a 10'er in IDEAL conditions. I'd go 7' or 8' myself.

Seems like it will be a choice between the 6' or 7' just because I don't want it to big for the garden when we start that up next year.

I had to chuckle alittle bit at your #3. Made me remember as a kid going around with grandpa checking the fence with a blade of grass to see if it was still hot and working. Of course it also reminded me ofa time I crawled under on wet grass. That left a small welt on my lower back for a couple of days.

 

[123rday]

I agree with FWJ i would go with at least a 7 foot. I pull a 6 foot with a 35 horse Mahindra with no problem.

Since the deere I'm looking at is 37hp, do you think your 35 hp Mahindra could pull a 7'er? Otherwise I will probably be setting my sites on a 6'er. It's a toss up.

 

[123rday]

Checking Craigslist, found a TSC 6' disk, 2 yrs old, the guy claims to have used once. Borrowed my uncle's trailer and went and picked it up earlier this evening. Only 2 spots where paint is peeling, so will need to sand off and touch up.

 

[07 LMM LTZ]

I pull a 6 foot disk easy with my L3940 40HP Kubota. It a great size if you are going to use it for garding

 

[deere755]

We pull a 6 footer with a 20 hp and a 10 foot behind a 48 hp. I think you will find 6 foot is no problem for all the tractors you mentioned.