More weight for my disc harrow

[def38]

I have found that disc harrows are usually a bit light when attempting to bite deeper in the red clay soil we have here in Alabama. So, I'm going to add some weight to my disc.

My idea is to weld some pipes vertically at the corners of the frame then, make some weights from plastic coffee cans with a center hollow tube (PVC pipe) poured full of concrete. Question is, how many of these concrete weights will I need to add a total of 200 lbs to the disc?

Also, does anybody have a better idea for adding weight to my disc? I had thought of using cast bar bell weights but they're too expensive.

Comments and ideas welcome.

 

[fried1765]

I have found that disc harrows are usually a bit light when attempting to bite deeper in the red clay soil we have here in Alabama. So, I'm going to add some weight to my disc.

My idea is to weld some pipes vertically at the corners of the frame then, make some weights from plastic coffee cans with a center hollow tube (PVC pipe) poured full of concrete. Question is, how many of these concrete weights will I need to add a total of 200 lbs to the disc?

Also, does anybody have a better idea for adding weight to my disc? I had thought of using cast bar bell weights but they're too expensive.

Comments and ideas welcome.

Scrap lead, if you can find it ...free.... or cheap.
Iv'e got lots, but you would have to drive 1500 miles to get it.

 

[FTG-05]

Some steel and about 5-7 bags of 80 lb concrete, maybe $35-$50 or so. ~500 lbs:

 

[FTG-05]

ETA: Where are you located in AL? I'm about 10 miles north of the border around I-65. I still have the form if you want it.

200 lbs /145 = 1.4 cu ft. Or about 2.3 80 lb bags of concrete.

Given how the disc reacted with this 500 lbs, I'd up your weight by about double, if not more. But a lot of that depends on a) the size and HP of your tractor and b) the size and ruggedness of your disc.

 

[def38]

My disc will likely not accommodate your weight design. Thanks for the offer. As you can see, I have some limitations as to placement of weights. I agree, I'll likely need more than 200 lbs. additional weight.

BRAND NEW 3 point Tractor 66" D Series Disc harrow 16- 16 inch Discs OR 16-18" 5 | eBay



Tractor is M-F 231S, 49 HP with adequate power and capacity for an additional 500 lbs.

 

[Big Barn]

My suggestion would be to search Craigslist (or?) for used cast iron tractor wheel weights.

That way you can add or deduct whatever weight is necessary to achieve implement penetration.

Most modern implements aren’t designed for extra weight. No point in fatiguing your disc unnecessarily as well as consuming more fuel.

I have a pile of them. There’s most likely some in your area.

 

[HEC]

I just went to lumber yard and bought some solid cement blocks , and made a contraption to hold them on . I used them in the back of pick up in winter for traction and on harrow in summer .

 

[def38]

My suggestion would be to search Craigslist (or?) for used cast iron tractor wheel weights.

That way you can add or deduct whatever weight is necessary to achieve implement penetration.

Most modern implements aren’t designed for extra weight. No point in fatiguing your disc unnecessarily as well as consuming more fuel.

I have a pile of them. There’s most likely some in your area.

View attachment 571729

I agree that adding too much weight in the wrong places will likely cause stress failures at welded joints. Therefore, I'm likely going to have to add some gussets and other structure to strengthen the frame as I add weight. I'm thinking that I'll merely create an additional rectangular frame on top of the existing frame using square tube and attach the necessary boxes, brackets and other appurtenances to hold the weights (likely concrete blocks similar to FTG-05's suggestion) about 50 lbs each (I have no means for lifting heavy stuff and I'm 80 years old...I don't lift like I used to).

 

[def38]

ETA: Where are you located in AL? I'm about 10 miles north of the border around I-65. I still have the form if you want it.

Thanks for the offer. I'm at about the 282 mile marker on I-65, then 8 miles east.

 

[FredH]

Are there any scrap / recycle metal yards in your area ? A few months ago , I bought some nearly new 1/2" plate for $ . 60 a pound . The 5 100 pound weights I have on my 6' + king kutter disk were homemade tractor weights . Thing now weighs around 1,100 pounds , which , if our clay is wet , is all that my TC 30 wants to pull . I only use mine for fire breaks around property in spring , which , with the notched blades , it works great for .

Price of scrap steel varies weekly , thus one can monitor it weekly and buy when price is down .


Fred H.

 

[def38]

Fred, Scrap steel is a great idea. My problem is I have no means for cutting and fabricating so, I'll likely use the angle iron framework that several of my implements came in and my angle grinder for some of the framing for my project. The square tube I'll have to source locally. Welding will have to be contracted out...I'm not a welder or, should I say, I have no welding experience or equipment.

I imagine there is plenty of steel scrap nearby inasmuch as Birmingham, AL was once the steel capitol of the South. The old furnaces are now museums however, the is still some specialized steel making and several large coke ovens operational. Nowadays, the main crop of Alabama is Mercedes Benz cars, fat people, crooked politicians and football players (Roll Tide).

My disc harrow work will be in full swing next spring as I till my cover crop under and prepare for seeding either Bermuda or Bahia. After than, the disk will likely lay idle until I sell it.

 

[WranglerX]

Concrete weighs 150 pounds per cubic foot, 2 80 pound bags is about 1 cubic foot....... Build a form, pore a bunch of "sacrete" into form and add some lifting eyes...

Dale

 

[flusher]

I strap four 5 gallon plastic buckets filled with concrete to my offset disk. About 110 lb per bucket.




Good luck

 

[Big Barn]

I strap four 5 gallon plastic buckets filled with concrete to my offset disk. About 110 lb per bucket.

View attachment 571827


Good luck

Nice pic, Ray!

 

[BAP]

Old railroad ties work good too. They are heavy and can be added or removed as needed plus cheaper than steel. Just use a couple ratchet straps to hold them on.

 

[kthompson]

Set of disk and speed of tractor can have heavy impact on this also. Also if you have thick grass you need to take care of that first.T

Set disk angle as sharp as you can, and disk slow to help prevent the blades riding up out the dirt. If it is thick grass on it spray to kill and if possible burn it off. If you have any kind of plow that will disturb the soil run it first. If you have box blade lower the rippers and keep box blade clear of the dirt and run the rippers through the dirt. A heavy disk being pulled at high speed over thick grass will still not cut well. Often when I am cutting I over lap my disk by 50% to help running on the slower speed side. As has been pointed out to some degree a light weight disk bearings will often not hold up to much added weight. Just not large enough.

 

[Damifino]

I Put a 80 gal. galvanized water tank with hose bib at bottom, depending what kind of ground I'm working depends how much water to add or remove. Works very well

 

[Ford850]

The 5 gallon buckets full of concrete look like a great idea. I made a wood box that straddled the frame of my disk and I add rail tie plates as needed. I could see a similar wood frame working well to hold the concrete buckets.

 

[oosik]

View attachment 573370 This blob is 3.2 cu ft ~ 480 pounds. Sits very nicely on my disk harrow.

View attachment 573371

 

[Gregster613]

oosik, I've a disk very similar to yours. I looked at the pictures numerous times and I just can't visualize how you get that blob to sit on the disk?
It seems that the center angle iron that attaches rear of disk to the top link would interfere? If I could figure out how you set that blob on the disk, I'd copy your idea in a heartbeat!
The next time you have the blob planted on the disk, would you "please" take a picture? Thanks much if you can do so. Greg