Dragging a Pasture

WAR · Feb 12, 2003

Can anyone give me some good ideas for making a pull-behind drag for pasture maintenance? I've heard of using everything from chain link fence to box springs. As all of my other tractor implements are new, I'd prefer that my drag not look too "tacky". Also, the ability to spray paint a little "GREEN" trim on it would be nice!

( A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words )

Justaplain · Feb 12, 2003

A harrow for just this purpose is made in England. I can't think of the name, but is a series of heavy tines on chains. I use to use an old "spike tooth harrow" or "smoothing harrow". bcs

normde2001 · Feb 12, 2003

I would think your boxblade would do as well as anything for that purpose. I have an old field that I am trying to get as near like a lawn as possible and I just keep dragging it with my boxblade, sitting about 1" above ground level.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 12, 2003

Here is what a New factory harrow looks like--Maybe this help and also give you some ideas?? Pricing usually runs $400-$700 depending on width of harrow. We actually do have customers that told us that they are using bed springs to scatter manure from a cattle or horse operation--However--This process does not get the penetration needed for stimulating pasture growth or incorperating seed--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

Youare · Feb 12, 2003

I have used a section of chain link fence about 8' high which became the width around 8' or 10' long. This works pretty good to smooth out fairly level loose soil, like after using a York type rake.

I have the iron bar which is used at the end of a run on one end to which I attach a piece of chain to pull it with. If the gound is a litte hard or rough I take a piece of landscape timber or a 6" diameter section of tree and attach it across the fence right up in the front. This gives a little more "down" pressure and greater smoothing effects.

I have used it for going over an area just seeded, if you do not have a seeder, to cover the broadcasted seed. My fence was to begin with. The best part is when you are done it rolls up quite nice and you can store it standing in a corner out of the way.

The looks of the tool are not as important as how wel it works. Most poeple say that's a neat idea, why didn't I think of that. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Randy

herbenus · Feb 12, 2003

I have a buddy in the overhead crane business who made a drag out of a piece of crane rail (10-15 feet long I think). Not sure how effective it was. I have another buddy with some cattle. He says the catttle won't graze next to cow patties. So he has a length of chain link fence attached to the back of his mower to break up patties while mowing.

This is the extent of my experience. Unless you count the scalping I sometimes do (not intentional) with my brushhog on high spots.

Justaplain · Feb 12, 2003

Thats the animal i meant. It is reverible??? Just turn it over, now what is the British name?? bcs

Egon · Feb 12, 2003

For what you want to accomplish Me Thinks the picture of the harrow or something similar would be a good investment. I do beleive there are also implements of the same nature made but are PTO driven for a rotary action.

Egon

cowboydoc · Feb 12, 2003

I wouldn't even waste your time unless you just want to knock down the manure unless you buy one of the harrows specifically just for pastures. There are several brands out there. I will get you a pic of mine. I have gone over mine with chainlink fence, a field harrow, etc. and nothing does the job of one like the pic Ken showed you. I can guarantee you to go out and use of those on a strip and use a homemade or chain, etc. on a strip and see which side grows faster and is greener. The good ones are a lifesaver to pastures for sure.