Choosing a Tractor Disc Plow and Harrow?
We created this guide, so you can find the best Tractor Disc Plows and Harrows on the market.
We’ve analyzed all the Tractor Disc Plows and Harrows on the market, looking at reviews, cost, ease of purchase, and many other factors.
Thus, we have compiled a ranking of the best Tractor Disc Plow and Harrow.
Types of Harrow
Harrows are used to loosen the soil or create a flatter surface in preparation for sowing or after plowing. There are several basic types: disc models, models with tines, and models with chain chains are the most common types of harrows. Each is suitable for different types of work.
Disc harrow
For heavy work, the disc harrow is best suited because it digs deeper into the soil than other tools. This is most suitable for loosening the soil surface after plowing or in preparation for making beds. As the name implies, a disc harrow will have many thin discs mounted on an axle inside the frame. It is usually dragged behind a tractor or ATV, and some of these units may even have power. This means that the discs will rotate at a speed independent of the tractor’s pulling speed. They are usually powered by the tractor’s power take-off system (PTO).
Tine harrow
For lighter work, a tine harrow is best. This type of harrow has spikes, known as tines, which will be mounted on a metal frame. Like disc harrows, tine harrows can be towed by a tractor or ATV, although hand-operated units are also available. Tine harrows loosen the soil just enough to help break up surface weeds and stones and soften the soil in preparation for planting. This tool is best used after heavier tools have been used to break up any hard ground surfaces. The tine harrow can be used after disc harrows have been used on the soil.
Chain harrow
The chain harrow is probably the lightest version of this tool. It can resemble a section of fence made of mesh links mounted inside a metal frame that is usually either dragged by hand or towed on a tractor/quad bike. These harrows are usually used to break up clods of soil left behind by plowing or other tillage machines. A chain harrow is used for sporting purposes: in particular, baseball fields must be dragged with chain harrows to level the dirt in the field and remove any loose pebbles, clumps of dirt, or debris that may have been carried into the field by the wind.
Best Tractor Disc Plow and Harrow
Heavy Hitch Multi-Purpose Disc Cultivator
Features:
- Multipurpose attachment utilizes a 2″ receiver mount that comes standard with this toolbar.
- Fully adjustable 14″ disc hiller clamps so your sub-compact tractor can easily tackle wider, flatter hills or narrower taller hills.
- As a field cultivator by adding sweep attachments.
- Finishing fields and preparing seedbeds after primary tillage.
Garden bedder/disc hiller/cultivator attachment is a versatile tool for shaping, ridging, bedding, and cultivating rows for gardens or farms. Based on a 2″ toolbar, the disc clamp and S-tine spacing can be adjusted to meet a variety of row spacing and crop needs. The 48″ wide toolbar can also be shifted to one side using the unique sleeve and set screw system to allow “offset” hilling and cultivating.
Brinly DD-551-A Disc Harrow
Features:
- 8 heavy-duty steel discs measuring 11″ in diameter break up clods and effortlessly turn rough, plowed ground into uniform soil ready for planting.
- Adjustable working width from 29″ to 39″ accommodates gardens both large and small.
- Three Angle Adjustments: Steel discs can be adjusted to deliver the proper force based on size of clods and soil conditions.
MotoAlliance Disc Plow/Harrow
Features:
- Eight (8), 14″ notched, hardened steel cutter disc blades provide 54″ of cutting width.
- 48″- 52″ cutting width.
- Agricultural grade axle bearings and 8 gauge steel frame.
- Integrated 3 Point CAT-0 quick mount; Assembly Required.
- Requires CAT-0 system (not included) installed on the machine.
MotoAlliance Impact Implements Pro Disc Plow/Harrow for ATV/UTV
Features:
- Eight (8), 12″ notched, hardened steel cutter disc blades provide 54″ of cutting width.
- Features a stable axle with two (2) heavy duty roller bearings per axle.
- Easy, one (1) pin mounting with the included pin.
- Requires Pro 1-Point Lift System, Sleeve Hitch Adapter or CAT-0 hitch (sold separately) for attaching to ATV/UTV and Lawn Tractors.
Field Tuff FTF-811DHSH Sleeve Hitch Disc
Features:
- Adjustable working width of up to 39″.
- Made up of eight, heavy-duty 11″ diameter disc blades, allowing you to easily turn rough soil into uniform, ready-to-plant soil.
- Adjust the harrow angles up to 10 Degree, 15 Degree, or 20 Degree to fit your soil’s needs – gives you a versatile tool.
- The heavy-duty steel frame is designed to support the extra weight, allowing you to break through tougher ground.
- Attaches easily to your tractor’s sleeve hitch.
- Constructed of durable, heavy-duty steel for a product that you can count on.
Streamline Industrial DISC CULTIVATOR Harrow ATV UTV & Garden Tractor
Features:
- 33″ Cut Width Tow Behind Cultivator: Tow Behind ATV/UTV/Garden Tractor.
- Power Source: Tow Vehicle.
Disc harrow Buying Criteria
Before you can plant your seeds, an important step is to prepare the soil. To make sure your crops will grow to their full potential, your soil must be perfect. Disc harrows are the best tools for the job: they loosen the soil, kill weeds and cut the soil into manageable rows. If you’re not sure which type of disc harrow is best for your job, we’ve put together a guide that describes the features and options of most available disc harrows.
Before you invest in a disc harrow, it’s important to consider several factors to make sure you’re getting a product that meets your needs. These factors are:
Attachment Options
When deciding on a disc harrow, you first have to decide which model is best for your operation. When it comes to attaching your harrow to your tractor, there are two options – 3-point Hitch Mounted or Pull Behind. Three-point hitch harrows allow you to hitch the implement directly to the three-point hitch of your tractor. This makes it incredibly easy to transport and store. Because the harrow and disc blocks can be easily raised and lowered using your tractor’s three-point hitch, you save a lot of time in assembling and changing the ground. These harrow types are very adaptable, making it easy to work in small areas.
Diameter
The performance of a disc harrow depends largely on the diameter of the discs used. As already mentioned, disc harrows are usually used to loosen the soil after plowing. Larger-diameter disc harrows take less time to work and get the job done faster. If you’re looking for something reasonably priced but don’t want to compromise on efficiency, choose disc harrows with a diameter of 12″ or larger.
Cutting width
The second most important factor in disc harrow efficiency after disc diameter is disc cutting width. The width of the disc’s cutting edge, like the diameter, also determines the speed and performance at which it turns and loosens the ground. A disc cutting edge of 50 inches or more in diameter is ideal for most gardeners. However, if you want higher efficiency, you can pick something taller, but it will cost you more.
Cutting options
- Disc harrows are generally available with three different types of cutting tools: single-acting, double-acting, and offset models.
- Single-acting disc harrows: Single-acting harrows cut the soil in one direction.
- Double-acting disc harrows: Double-acting (or tandem) harrows cut the soil in two different directions. The front row of blades cuts the soil in one direction, while the rear row of blades cuts it in the opposite direction.
Offset disc harrows: In offset harrows, the hitch can be adjusted to the left or right so that the harrow is offset behind the tractor. This is a popular type of harrow because it creates a very even cut in the soil.
Blade type
Another important factor in picking a harrow is the type of blade. Harrows are usually equipped with serrated or smooth blades. Depending on the intended use of the harrow, each type of blade has its own advantages and disadvantages. Toothed blades are the more aggressive type of blade. They penetrate the soil much better, but typically cost more. When it comes to mowing soils with high vegetation, such as pastures, hay fields, cornfields, and cover crops, serrated blades work better than smooth blades. However, serrated blades are known to be more susceptible to damage when cutting stony soil.
Smooth blades do a much better job of maneuvering over rocky soil without any damage. However, when it comes to hard soil, they simply don’t have the same penetrating ability as toothed blades. Smooth blades tend to slide over vegetation rather than cut through it. To achieve better penetration of smooth blades, it is usually advisable to install a weighting plate on the disc block.
As for disc harrow blades, a combination of serrated and smooth blades is usually used. Toothed blades can be mounted on the front tines for a powerful aggressive cut, and smooth blades can be mounted on the rear tines for a smoother cut.
Corrosion and rust protection
Since your tractor disc harrow often works in harsh conditions, you should also prioritize treatment to protect against corrosion and rust. Make sure your harrow is made of galvanized metal and powder-coated to prevent rust and corrosion damage. And even if your harrow has this treatment, do not use it immediately after it rains.
Use of a tractor disc harrow
Step 1: Prepare your tractor
Choose a tractor or ATV with enough power to tow the disc harrow. An X-type harrow can quickly remove all clods or cut through fields of vegetation that have not been tilled in a long time. However, tractors with more power are required to pull this type of harrow.
Step 2: Set the cutting depth
Make some adjustments to get the proper cutting depth for your harrow as follows. First, raise or lower the disc harrow from the front to the back by adjusting the center link between the tractor and the harrow. Second, adjust the lifting pins from side to side until the harrow is well balanced.
Step 3: Start driving the tractor
Start the disc harrow by lowering it to the ground at the tractor speed recommended by the manufacturer. If you go too fast, the harrow will leave a groove in the center of the cutting path. If you go too slow, there will be a valley. Raise the harrow at the end of the cutting path to make it easier to turn.
Step 4: Re-cut remaining clods
Continue the remaining cutting paths until you have finished trimming the entire field. If there are still clumps in the field, repeat mowing in the other direction.
Step 5: Finish and clean the disc harrow
When you’re finished, don’t forget to grease the disc harrow to prevent it from rusting and corroding. First, clean all debris on the harrow, then use a syringe to inject the grease into the grease nipples.
Tractor Disc Plow and Harrow Price
Disc Plow and Harrow under $600:
- Heavy Hitch Multi-Purpose Disc Cultivator Garden;
- MotoAlliance Impact Implements CAT-0 Disc Plow/Harrow.
Tractor Disc Plow and Harrow under $500:
- MotoAlliance Impact Implements Pro Disc Plow/Harrow for ATV/UTV
Tractor Disc Plow and Harrow under $300:
- Brinly DD-551-A Disc Harrow;
- Field Tuff FTF-811DHSH Sleeve Hitch Disc.
FAQ about Disc Harrow
What is a tractor disc harrow used for?
A disc harrow is a harrow whose cutting edges are a row of concave metal discs, which may be scalloped, set at an oblique angle. It is an agricultural implement that is used to till the soil where crops are to be planted. It is also used to chop up unwanted weeds or crop residue.
How deep does a disc harrow go?
A general rule of thumb for tillage depth of an implement such as a disc harrow is 25 percent of the blade diameter. Thus, a disc harrow with 24-inch blades should be set to till no more than 6 inches deep.
Is a disc harrow better than a tiller?
While a disc harrow is used to get to the deeper layers of the soil thanks to its heavier design, a rotary tiller is meant to overturn the upper layers of the soil.
