Introduction
Whether you are an experienced farmer or a complete beginner, you will need a lot of tools from preparing for planting to harvesting crops. As technology has improved, harrows have developed into various types that work with tractors, and disc harrows are one of the most common. In the following article, I will explain what you need to know about disc harrows, which will help you manage your farm.
What is Disc Harrow
The disc harrow is composed of multiple concave discs. The discs have two types: smooth-edge and notched-edge. The former is simple to manufacture and easy to sharpen; the latter has a strong ability to penetrate the soil, which is conducive to cutting soil clods and stubble weeds. We mostly use it on heavy harrows for heavy soil cultivation. We fix these discs on a horizontal axis. They are primarily employed to loosen the soil after plowing the field, fulfilling the agronomic requirements for land preparation prior to sowing. Additionally, we can utilize them for weeding or shallow tillage and stubble removal on the stubble after harvest. We can also employ heavy disc harrows for arable land operations. In contrast to wooden iron-toothed harrows that necessitate human operation, the disc harrows attached to tractors are powered by the tractor’s output shaft and are capable of achieving various motion modes, such as reciprocating, horizontal rotation, and vertical rotation, to cater to diverse operational needs. This harrow boasts high efficiency and robust adaptability, making it widely utilized in agricultural production.
How does Disc Harrow Work
Before you use the disc harrow, you must adjust the working depth and angle of the disc harrow within your actual needs. When harrowing, the disc will be inserted into the soil, with the friction between the disc and soil to turn the soil and loosen it. The discs, through friction with the ground, will turn and loosen the soil to achieve the desired tilling effect. The harrow’s rotation system usually includes an engine, a transmission system, and rotating parts. The engine provides power, the transmission system transfers this power to the rotating parts, and the discs on these parts do the work.
The working process of the disc harrow generally includes pressing down, engaging the soil, turning the soil, and lifting the soil. First, use a tractor to press the disc harrow down so that the discs touch the ground. Then, the rotation system drives the discs into the soil. As the system continues to turn, the discs loosen the soil. Finally, the disc harrow, with the loosened soil, is lifted, completing the entire process.
Types of Disc Harrow
Disc harrows can be classified in different ways based on their features. These classifications help you choose the type of disc harrow that best meets your needs, so you can achieve the best tilling results in various soil conditions and farming tasks.
Connection method of Disc Harrow
Three-point hitch disc harrow
When a disc harrow is connected to a tractor using a three-point hitch system, it is securely attached through two side mounting points and one central mounting point. This setup helps the disc harrow maintain a stable tilling depth and control its direction while working. This type of connection is suitable for various soil types and is common on smaller and medium-sized farms.
Trailed
A pull-type disc harrow is entirely dragged by the tractor’s hitch, without being mounted on the tractor. The hitch provides the main power and support for the disc harrow. Pull-type disc harrows can handle larger areas and deeper soil layers, making them suitable for large-scale farming.
Semi-Mounted
The semi-mounted connection combines features of both mounted and pull-type systems. In this connection, part of the disc harrow is mounted on the tractor, while the other part is supported by the ground. This type of connection offers good maneuverability and stability. If you have a medium or large farm, this might be a good choice for you.
Weight
Light-duty Disc Harrow
The structure of a light-duty disc harrow is very simple and easy to handle, if you’re working shallow soil and a small farm, a light-duty disc harrow will be sufficient and more flexible to use. It’s suitable for tasks like breaking up soil after tilling, preparing soil before planting, clearing weeds, and managing stubble in light or normal soil.
Medium-Duty Disc Harrow
A medium-duty disc harrow has a weight and structure that falls between light-duty and heavy-duty models. It works well with various soil types, including light and medium-hard soils. It effectively breaks up soil clumps, cleans the land surface, and prepares seedbeds well.
Heavy-Duty Disc Harrow
A heavy-duty disc harrow has a strong structure and can handle heavier workloads and tougher soils. It is suitable for deep tilling. If you have a large-scale farm or deal with sticky, clayey soil, you should choose a heavy-duty disc harrow. You can even use it on rough land and swampy areas.
Hydraulic System Equipped
Hydraulic Disc Harrow
A hydraulic disc harrow comes with a hydraulic system that lets you adjust the depth and angle of the discs. This makes it easier to control and adjust the harrow precisely. If you need to frequently change the disc depth and angle, a hydraulic model is a good choice, as it improves your operation both flexibility and efficiency.
Non-Hydraulic Disc Harrow
Non-hydraulic disc harrows do not have a hydraulic system, and adjusting the depth and angle of the disc usually requires manual operation. The structure is relatively simple, and maintenance and usage costs are low.
Structure
Opposed Disc Harrow
Opposed disc harrows are divided into single-row opposed and double-row opposed disc harrows. Single-row opposed harrows are suitable for flat land after irrigation, stubble removal, and shallow tillage after harvest. Double-row opposed harrows have two rows, front and back, each row is symmetrically arranged with left and right rows of harrows. In order to avoid leaving a missed tillage strip at the junction of the left and right harrows of the opposed harrow, some opposed harrows have the left and right harrows arranged alternately.
Offset Disc Harrow
The disc arrangement of the offset disc harrow is offset, usually with one row of discs behind another row. This design can cover a larger ground width and maintain high efficiency during the harrowing process. If you need to harrow a large area of land, it can improve your work efficiency.
Folding Disc Harrow
The structure of the folding disc harrow can be folded for easy transportation and storage. The folding design allows the harrow to be unfolded during operation and retracted during transportation, making it very convenient. If your farm is large and requires frequent movement and transportation of disc harrows, you can choose a folding disc harrow.
Double-Row Disc Harrow
A double-row disc harrow has two rows of discs, providing a wider working width and more even soil processing. The discs in each row are spaced apart to effectively cut and turn the soil. It is suitable for large-scale land cultivation, handling bigger areas, and improving work efficiency.
The Benefits of Disc Harrow
Save time and labor: Clearly, a disc harrow powered by a tractor is much more efficient than traditional harrows, saving a lot of time and manpower.
Preparing seedbeds: A disc harrow helps break up soil clumps and smooth the ground, keeping the depth even. This ensures seeds are sown evenly and that seedlings come up consistently.
Weeding and reducing pests: As the discs cut through the soil, they sever weed roots, helping control weed growth. At the same time, the disc harrow disrupts pests’ living environments, effectively reducing pests and diseases.
Improving soil structure: The discs turn the soil, mixing the surface soil with the deeper layers. This helps improve soil structure, break up compacted land, increase aeration, and allow water to penetrate the soil better.
Increasing crop yield: The discs on a disc harrow mix crop residues and fertilizers spread on the soil surface while harrowing. This improves the soil’s nutrients and helps increase crop yield.
Maintenance and Care
When using a disc harrow, it is very important to be careful to avoid accidents. To improve efficiency and ensure safety, here are some key points to keep in mind.
Before
Before using a disc harrow, carefully check all parts, especially the nuts and bolts, to make sure they are tightened. If they are loose, tighten them. To ensure smooth operation, lubricate the parts that need it, especially where the disc harrow frequently rubs. Only attach the disc harrow securely after the tractor is parked, and make sure the safety pin is in place.
During
When moving mounted farm equipment, you should raise the equipment to its highest position. At the same time, use the hydraulic system or the locking mechanism on the hitch to secure the disc harrow. During operation, first set the optimal speed to avoid poor tilling results from going too fast or excessive turning from going too slow. Depending on the soil type and crops you want to plant, you need to adjust the tilling depth. For hard soil, increase the depth; for loose soil, decrease it to avoid affecting crop growth.
After
If you need to check the equipment due to an accident during operation, first disconnect the power shaft to avoid injury. Regularly check for any faulty parts and replace them promptly. When repairing the disc harrow, use high-quality, suitable parts. Proper and careful maintenance will help you use the equipment for a longer time.
How to Choose the Right Dis Harrow
Tractor Horsepower
First and foremost, the choice of a disc harrow must have its power requirements adapted to the capabilities of the tractor, so be sure to verify your tractor’s horsepower before purchasing your disc harrow to ensure compatibility with the selected disc harrow model. If you want to cover a larger field at once with the machine, the disc harrow will require a more powerful tractor.
Soil Types
Different types of soil require different types of disc harrows. Thick clay soils require a sturdy disc harrow with large blades that can effectively penetrate and crush compacted soil, while for light soils, there is no need for high power.
Level of Seedbed Required
You need to assess the level of seedbed preparation you require. If you require a meticulously prepared seedbed, consider an implement with multiple discs as it will provide a more delicate finish, whereas if your seedbed preparation is less intensive, a harrow with fewer discs may suffice.
Spacing and size of discs
The spacing between the blades on a disc harrow controls how deep it digs into the soil and the extent of soil disruption. Larger spacing is suitable for light tillage and for stubble tillage with a lot of harvest residues. Larger gaps can effectively prevent the disc harrow from clogging. Smaller gaps are suitable for deep tillage and seeding operations. The diameter of the toothed disc has a direct impact on the quality of work. Discs with smaller diameters are suitable for shallow tillage and stubble removal, while larger discs are better for deep tillage.
Budget
Finally, you need to determine your budget. Prices may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. You can understand the market price to get a good idea of it and choose a qualified manufacturer to buy the machine you want with the most cost-effective solution.
Conclusion
I’ve shared a lot of information about disc harrows. If you want to buy or update your disc harrow, please contact us. ANON has been around for over ten years, and as a top-quality supplier, we offer expert knowledge and excellent service. We can provide you with the best options based on your needs!
FAQs
How to choose the right type of harrow?
When choosing a disc harrow, you need to consider several factors, such as the diameter, spacing, and size of the discs. In addition to the weight and arrangement of the discs that I mentioned, you also need to think about the number of discs. You can provide us with details about your land type and size, and we will match the best disc harrow to fit your needs.
