Drag Harrow -Tricks to adding weight?

[powerscol]

Well made the first pass with the drag harrow yesterday and I got to thinking there hast to be a better way to add weight. I current used some concrete blocks and a couple of short fence posts wired to the top, but one never fails to undue itself. Its just one of those 3'x4' spike kind that you can attach either end to the drag bar to get different effects.

My process on my 3 acres is to drag to pull up any hay matting left over form last year, then mow at 2" to much and blow apart the horse poo. I then fertilize with a broadcast spreader and run the harrow once more. this is done over about 3 days using my Sears Garden tractor.

Any other tricks out there?

 

[dbotos]

Wooden box with rocks or dirt. Concrete-filled tires.

 

[bcp]

Go to your farm supply or lumber yard and buy 2 or 3 of the thickest round wood fence posts they have. RR ties work, too, if they are easier to find.

Cut them in half and fasten them to the harrow with heavy wire and some staples, if permanently mounted. Use ratchet straps if you want to change weight for different conditions.

Bruce

 

[Farmer495]

hitch it as low as possible and don't drive too fast.

If your line of draft is too high and you drive too fast it will lift the harrow up....

 

[davepg1]

Wire on a piece of plywood and add some bags of sand. Works well for our use.

 

[flusher]

Well made the first pass with the drag harrow yesterday and I got to thinking there hast to be a better way to add weight. I current used some concrete blocks and a couple of short fence posts wired to the top, but one never fails to undue itself. Its just one of those 3'x4' spike kind that you can attach either end to the drag bar to get different effects.

My process on my 3 acres is to drag to pull up any hay matting left over form last year, then mow at 2" to much and blow apart the horse poo. I then fertilize with a broadcast spreader and run the harrow once more. this is done over about 3 days using my Sears Garden tractor.

Any other tricks out there?

I use 5 gallon plastic buckets filled with concrete. I embed a length of galvanized pipe in the concrete to make the weight easier to move around. You can add some rebar or wire mesh to the concrete to hold it together when the plastic bucket deteriorates from the sunlight.



Good luck

 

[C4Ranch]

So if u can't get a piece of rail track, I would use those cement pieces that look like parking spots. Dense and heavy.

 

[C4Ranch]

My rail track weighs 45#/ft

 

[SPYDERLK]

So maybe we should define drag harrow. :confused2:

 

[dbotos]

So maybe we should define drag harrow. :confused2:

I think the OP has the kind that looks like a section of chain link fence with little spikes on one face of the mat.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I think the OP has the kind that looks like a section of chain link fence with little spikes on one face of the mat.

Yes, chain drag type is my concept as well. In my experience weight added on top, by its bulk, gets in the way of the self cleaning function of these drags. Best that the weight is inherent in the size of metal used in the drag.

 

[powerscol]

This is what I have NorTrac Harrow Rake for Cleaning, Leveling Soil and Stimulating Growth — 48 1/2in.W x 64in.L | Category 0 Disc Harrows Rakes| Northern Tool + Equipment or Amazon.com : Field Tuff HDHA-59 Heavy Duty Drag Harrow : Lawn And Garden Towable Tools : Patio, Lawn & Garden

I have a different brand but similar construction.

Thanks for the ideas, especially the ratchet straps - save my fingers on the bailing wire. I have a few RR ties so will try that, even if they hang over a bit.

Ill try and post a picture when I get it figured out.

 

[kthompson]

Can you change the angle of the blades? Is so and they are not already set to the most aggressive angle possible do so. Yes run slow so blades have time to cut and not just ride.

 

[hslogger]

Not all of these types of pull behind harrows are the same construction, some you can reverse the direction of pull, or flip upside down for smooth. I have one of the originals, a Fuerst Harrow that I have had thirty years. I use it either in the most aggressive way and have iron weights hanging off the hind end. I use it breaking up manure clods in pastures.

Sometimes I use it in a paddock for "grooming it" and picking up debris that seems to migrate in there at times,including hay string. The weights I use are old bulldozer parts and old time window weights. If you go slow, have a chain longer that five feet from the tractor draw bar it works well for what I do with it.

 

[powerscol]

Not all of these types of pull behind harrows are the same construction, some you can reverse the direction of pull, or flip upside down for smooth. I have one of the originals, a Fuerst Harrow that I have had thirty years. I use it either in the most aggressive way and have iron weights hanging off the hind end. I use it breaking up manure clods in pastures.

Sometimes I use it in a paddock for "grooming it" and picking up debris that seems to migrate in there at times,including hay string. The weights I use are old bulldozer parts and old time window weights. If you go slow, have a chain longer that five feet from the tractor draw bar it works well for what I do with it.

First kthompson = no blades, just the rake teeth.

hslogger - you are correct. Depending on which way I hook it up I can go from very aggressive, to medium to smooth by flipping over. Hopefully today I will get the weight on. First I need to run to the COOP for bulk fertilizer will save me 40% over the bags 1000 lbs will run me about $225. Never gotten bulk befor so getting from the big bag to my small fertilizer cart will be interesting.

 

[cat fever]

I use my Spring tooth harrow and then some old railing with weight added to it.

You can see the before and after in the second picture. Works very well.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I use my Spring tooth harrow and then some old railing with weight added to it.
View attachment 460443View attachment 460444
You can see the before and after in the second picture. Works very well.

Must really suck to have to look at that view every day?

 

[SSdoxie]

I think this style of drag would work much better with the dethatching and no plug as easily with grass and hay debris. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200414725_200414725
Easily add weight bars or RR ties across the tubes. If it leave a smooth enough finish with teeth adjusted flat you finish up with the drag you have now.

 

[cat fever]

Must really suck to have to look at that view every day?

With practice and sunglasses you get used to it.

 

[powerscol]

I had good luck yesterday with adding old fence posts up top. Worked well. My style of drag harrow rarely plugs unless I get in to a patch of old thick hay then it balls up and can easy be removed. I then set the mower low and mow over everything to pulverize the thatch.

Cat Fever - do you replant every year? Just curious as it looks like a perfect seed bed?