Chain harrow in thick grass

[rockyridgefarm]

I have always been able to harrow with grass that is pretty low. How about when it gets tall and thick? Will it work at all, or does it need to be mowed first?

 

[greg_g]

Mow first, and crop it short. On pasture, I only use mine in spring - after the livestock has taken it down all winter, but before the forage starts to grow. You get the deepest and most consistent penetration that way, and don't have to stop as often (if at all) to clean any accumulations out of the harrow.

//greg//

 

[Investorguy]

What does the harrow do to the grass? Aerate mainly?

 

[Cottonhawk]

Areate, dethatch, and most importantly breaking up the horse manures. Chain harrow does wonders to my pastures.

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What does the harrow do to the grass? Aerate mainly? )</font>

I don't think it penetrates far enough to be considered a competent aerator - in my sandrock and clay Kentucky hillsides anyway. I use mine for pasture and road maintenance. It's great for "tuning up" wet gravel roads. I've always hated that "hump" in the middle of so many farm roads. Running the chain harrow over mine a couple of times a year - after a good soaking spring/fall rain - keeps "the hump" from ever getting started. It's also useful for spreading the rotting hay that's collected over winter around the feeders. One fall I had a bumper crop of that useless brome sage. After cutting all the seed heads with my rotary cutter, I raked it into a burn pile with the harrow. The otherwise natural tendency of the teeth to clog works to your advantage in situations like that.

Of course, you can't do jobs this unless without the ability to lift the harrow with your TPH. Most importantly, I use it to "scratch in" fresh seed/fertilizer/lime. For this job, I put the PTO spreader on the TPH, and just drag the harrow with the drawbar. As the material hits the ground, the harrow scratches shallow grooves in the soil. When done parallel to hillsides, this also keeps a lot of what you spread from washing downhill during the next rain.

After the big increase in steel prices a while back, chain harrows look rather expensive on the surface. But considering all the things I use it for, I think they're well worth the money. Having said that, I wouldn't have (a big) one that you couldn't lift with a TPH though. Mine's 8'x8' without the frame - weighs probably 400# with the frame - and is lifted with a modified light duty boom pole.

//greg//

 

[rockyridgefarm]

thanks for the pic, and great description. I haven't had any luck picking mine up with the boom pole, so your pic is a huge help!

 

[greg_g]

If you're interested - and are willing to continue this via email - I have more photos, materials, measurements, et cetera.

//greg//

 

[rambler]

I can only guess this is to break up cowpies in the pasture. If the grass is tall (now????? we have 3-6 inches of snow yet...) I think you will harm the grass a bit, smear the pies on fresh tall grass, & so on. The harrow may not flow through but bunch up the tall grass. I'd let it get grazed until it's short again, & harrow it then. But, just my opinion for my conditions, things are diff in other regions.

--->Paul

 

[canoetrpr]

Interesting thread.

I've been thinking of adding either a drag type chain harrow or a landscape rake for my pastures.

I don't have animals right now but manure from the previous owner that ought to be broken up and I figure I ought to go over the pastures with a chain harrow or landscape rake once or twice year.

Any opinions on whether a chain harrow or landscape rake would be better for my application? The landscape rake is something I could put to other uses as well I imagine - clearing fall debris around the front yard and such - looseing up gravel on the driveway if ncessary.

Also I have a Kubota L3400. What size chain harrow would you recommend? I've seen 4ft x 4ft advertised and 8ft x 4ft.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

definately the harrow. They are the perfect tool to condition a pasture. I think 8' x 8' is a real good size. Mine is 6' but I am going to get some more sections and go to 12.

I couldn't find them locally, so got mine from Ken Sweet. He is great.

BTW, my friend is asking about the grass, mine is all short.