Disc Harrow

[biggamefish]

What is the general rule for a disc harrow on a tractor. I would like to purchase one. I have a 26 hp tractor and was thinking 4 or 5 ft.  Could I go 6 with rocky terrain?

[LET EM GROW]

Are you speaking of a 3pt/pull harrow tine cultivator, or a 3pt disk? If your at 26hp and especially if hydrostatic, stick to 4ft or just as wide as the tractor is. 

[Jsin]

4 foot disc is ideal for a 26hp. Spring tooth 3 tines. Single bottom plow. I ran this set up with my 1025r. It works, it just takes a few more passes to get the job done. 

[mowin]

I pulled a 6' disk with no issues with my 3320 29 HP at the shaft tractor.  Lots of small rocks, 6" and under.  

[biggamefish]

I was thinking 4ft was ideal for what I am running. Hard to find something that's not beat or super expensive for what you are getting.

[mowin]

Just now, biggamefish said:

I was thinking 4ft was ideal for what I am running. Hard to find something that's not beat or super expensive for what you are getting.

Anything decent is $900+. So called good condition is not much less. 

[grampy]

4' is perfect for what you're using Matt. Might even want to go a little shallow the first pass with all the rocks we have up on the hill.

[catskillkid]

I have rocky soils also, I had a 7' disc that I would pull behind my 4x4 45 horse power, John Deere. The disc would just bounce on the rocks, it took many passes just to turn over the soil. It was a waste of fuel and beat up the discs.

I changed to a chisel tooth cultivator, only takes one pass now and I can control the depth with my 3 point.

I bought it used, same cost as the discs, you might want to look into it. 

[Wolc123]

There is more to it than width alone.  Tractor weight is more important than hp, as is the type of disk.  This 6 ft Bissel pull -type is perfect behind my 10 hp Farmall Cub:

 

This 8 ft pull-type is just right for my 26 hp Ford 8n:

Personally, I can’t stand 3- point disks and I don’t believe they are worth their weight in scrap metal.  I only have one because my father in law gave it to me (a 6.5 footer).  I takes probably 25 % more hp to use one and many more passes to get the job done.  
 

The only think I like them for is smaller plots when transport over the road with the tractor is necessary. It’s been about 5 years since I’ve even hooked mine up to one of my tractors.  
 

I saw the 6 footer out by the road about 20 years ago and my dad paid the guy $ 125 for it.  I mostly use it behind his JD 750 (about 18 hp but probably lighter than my cub) on my plots over at his place.  
 

I paid a coworker $100 for a trailer load of farm implements, that included a couple 3 section drags (that needed a little work), and that 8 ft JD disk, about 10 years ago.  That one can be completely controlled from the tractor seat with a pull rope, and the big wheel adjuster is very easy to use on the 6 ft Bissel.  

Edited December 18, 2024 by Wolc123

[Jsin]

@Wolc123 

No disrespect with saying this sir. But if you ever put any of that vintage equipment to true use it would not serve you well. Welding and replacing broken parts would be your new part time job. 
 

 

[biggamefish]

On 12/17/2024 at 12:50 PM, grampy said:

4' is perfect for what you're using Matt. Might even want to go a little shallow the first pass with all the rocks we have up on the hill.

We do seem to grow rocks up here. I am surprised we don't have better stonewalls like Columbia county or Deleware county.

Edited December 19, 2024 by biggamefish

[biggamefish]

On 12/17/2024 at 2:29 PM, catskillkid said:

I have rocky soils also, I had a 7' disc that I would pull behind my 4x4 45 horse power, John Deere. The disc would just bounce on the rocks, it took many passes just to turn over the soil. It was a waste of fuel and beat up the discs.

I changed to a chisel tooth cultivator, only takes one pass now and I can control the depth with my 3 point.

I bought it used, same cost as the discs, you might want to look into it. 

Do these turn the soil like a disc? I have use of a rototiller for the tractor but it's a borrowed thing so I use it in the beginning of the year. If I want to replot something different I would like something that could turn the soil.

[G-man]

17 hours ago, Jsin said:

@Wolc123 

No disrespect with saying this sir. But if you ever put any of that vintage equipment to true use it would not serve you well. Welding and replacing broken parts would be your new part time job. 
 

 

I use all vintage hedge row finds. Be surprised how well they hold  up other than repairing worn bolts they are pretty much maintained by grease in fittings. 

[G-man]

8 hours ago, biggamefish said:

Do these turn the soil like a disc? I have use of a rototiller for the tractor but it's a borrowed thing so I use it in the beginning of the year. If I want to replot something different I would like something that could turn the soil.

Get a simple scarifer. will turn soil fairly well will need to drag to smooth

[Wolc123]

17 minutes ago, G-man said:

I use all vintage hedge row finds. Be surprised how well they hold  up other than repairing worn bolts they are pretty much maintained by grease in fittings. 

Each of my 7 ft cultipackers (made from hedgerow find 8 footers), work much better than any new one and I’ve only got $ 51 into them total.  
 

“A fool and his money are soon parted” is what I’m reminded of when I think about new farm equipment.