Dirt Moving How big of a disc will a MF175 pull?

[EdinOR]

Just bought a 175 with over 9000 hours on it, but in great shape for a 50 year old tractor. I only need to work about 10 acres and was wondering how big of tandem disc I could get away with with this ol' girl? Thank you!

 

[jeff9366]

Massey Ferguson 175

1964 - 1975
Previous model: Massey Ferguson 165
Next model: Massey Ferguson 275
Series next: Massey Ferguson 180

Manufacturer: Massey Ferguson
Original price (USD)
$7,500 (1975 )

Massey Ferguson 175 Engines:
Perkins 3.9L 4-cyl diesel
Perkins 3.9L 4-cyl gasoline
Continental 3.4L 4-cyl gasoline
Massey Ferguson 175 Power:
Drawbar (claimed): 54 hp [40.3 kW]
PTO (claimed): 63 hp [47.0 kW]
Drawbar (tested): 53.51 hp [39.9 kW]
PTO (tested): 63.34 hp [47.2 kW]


Capacity:
Fuel: 18.5 gal [70.0 L]

3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: II
Rear lift: 3,370 lbs [1528 kg]

Power Take-off (PTO):
Rear PTO: live*
independent*
Rear RPM: 540
Engine RPM: 540@1700

Dimensions & Tires:
Gas Weight (operating): 5,925 lbs [2687 kg]
Diesel Weight (operating): 6,125 lbs [2778 kg]
Weight (ballasted): 9,555 lbs [4334 kg]
Wheelbase: 81.9 inches [208 cm]
Length: 138 inches [350 cm]
Width: 72.8 inches [184 cm]
Height (steering wheel): 65 inches [165 cm]
Ground clearance: 13.4 inches [34 cm]


175 Serial Numbers:
Location: Below instrument panel on steering column
1964: 644000001
1965: 644001494
1966: 644003041
1967: 9A1000
1968: 9A39836
1969: 9A63158
1970: 9A87325
1971: 9A107597
1972: 9A128141
1973: 9A152025
1974: 9A179544
1975: 9A207681

Mechanical:
Chassis: 4x2 2WD
Steering: power assist
Brakes: mechanical disc
Cab: Open operator station


Page information:
Last update: December 18, 2014
Copyright: Copyright 2016 TractorData LLC
Contact: Peter@TractorData.com

 

[jeff9366]

Do you intend for the Disc Harrow to perform Primary Tillage or Secondary Tillage?

How deep do you want to mix soil?




Are you in damp western Oregon or dry eastern Oregon?

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Looks to me like ED in ORG is in Oregon.

 

[EdinOR]

I put that in there. Hmm?

 

[EdinOR]

Well.....the western part, (Willamette valley), that has technically been in a drought since 2013. We have sandy loam, close to a river, that I have dug hundreds of two foot stumps out of and filled in the holes with a dozer, so I guess I'd consider it a secondary tillage as it's been pretty worked over somewhat??? My objective is to just level it off better before I drag it.

 

[jeff9366]

Weight is your friend in ground engagement work.

The weight in Tandem Disc Harrow is in the pans/discs. Larger diameter pans penetrate deeper if that is desired, and move larger volumes of earth per pass. Neophytes to Disc Harrows think width is a key metric. It is not. Disc diameter is the key metric for field leveling.

There are many combinations of weight/width you can choose.
I suggest a Disc Harrow with 22" diameter pans, similar to a Monroe Tufline Model TL43-972222.
(With a cutting width of 8', total width will be a tad less than 10'.)

This model has 22" diameter pans yielding 67 pounds bearing on each pan. The front pans are spaced 9" apart for cutting, the rear pans 7" apart for smoothing. Notched pans, front and rear, best for chopping residual roots.

When you want to sell, dual Cat 1/Cat2 arrangement will increase your potential buyers.

The first pass with a Tandem Disc Harrow is fairly easy. Successive passes, with the ground soft, will make your tractor grunt. My soil, like yours, is sandy loam.

Tufline makes heavier Disc Harrow with 22" diameter pans but TL43-972222 will serve for ten acres. Many other venders will have similar spec'ed discs. If you go too heavy, with a 2-WD tractor and the pan gangs adjusted aggressively, you will stall.



MONROE TUFLINE LINK: TL43 Series Tandem Lift Disc Harrows | Tufline



I have a lighter version of this Disc Harrow, appropriate for my lighter, 4-WD tractor.

REVIEW OF MY TUFLINE DISC: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/332493-tandem-lift-disc-harow-monroe.html?highlight=


ADJUSTING TANDEM DISC HARROWS: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ing-three-point-hitch-mounted.html?highlight=



I know the Willamette Valley. Once was peripherally involved with Tualatin Winery.

 

[jeff9366]

My objective is to level ten acres before I drag it.

Every implement has a learning curve.

After considerable experience adjusting two Tandem Disc Harrows I harrow fields sufficiently smooth that drag not required.

Neophytes to Disc Harrows think width is a key metric. It is not. Disc diameter is the key metric for field leveling.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Ed what one person deems sufficiently smooth may not suit the next, you will find that most people who farm for a living will use a drag to level and smooth behind their disc harrow rather than changing the angle of the gangs on their harrow from aggressive to virtually straight and going over the field again to try to smooth it out they let the drag do it for them with one less pass which makes a big difference when you are going over acres and not a garden plot, although they may have to make several passes to get the dirt into the condition that they want. Lastly a lot of these farmers that I'm speaking of may not finish up front in a spelling bee, but are definitely not Neophytes to disc harrows and other things that are tractor related.

 

[EdinOR]

Thanks guys. This is all good advise/info that I was looking for. I will probably look for a 6' to 7' with bigger discs and decide on a drag later. Thanks again.