Disc Harrow King Kutter 4.5' Disc Harrow

[Mulemamma]

I have a 28 hp Mahindra and due to a very tight budget can only afford a small King Kutter disc harrow to cut through about 3 acres of tough fescue pasture. I realize it'll take several passes and should probably work on moist soil and before the fescue starts growing profusely. Guess my question is....am I wasting my money? Is this a 'mission impossible?'

Mulemamma
Muddymule Hollow

 

[jeff9366]

King Kutter web site: https://www.kingkutter.com/store-product.aspx?id=3370


An angle iron frame Disc Harrows is hopeless for sod-busting It will not cut through sod due to lack of weight. It will only roll on the surface. You need a Moldboard Plow or a Disc Plow (which is not a Disc Harrow) to cut, invert and kill sod.

LINK to T-B-N archive: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/308251-disc-harrow-selection-18-45-a.html?highlight=


You should be able to find a used Three Point Hitch mounted, single bottom, 12" moldboard plow in Missouri for $200 or less, if you search.

(Do not buy a Sleeve Hitch plow, which is for Lawn & Garden tractors. You need a plow with draw pins, to mount on your Three Point Hitch.)


LINK to everytfhingattachments.com: Everything Attachments Single Bottom Plow

VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=single+bottom+plow

 

[Foodplot]

Like Jeff said, a light disc isn't going to make you happy busting sod. Could you hire the job out locally if it's a one-off? If you do want a disc, I'd hit a regional farm equipment consignment auction. You'll find a heavier product for a lower price. We use a bog disc for sod, but one of those would anchor your tractor.

 

[Mulemamma]

Like Jeff said, a light disc isn't going to make you happy busting sod. Could you hire the job out locally if it's a one-off? If you do want a disc, I'd hit a regional farm equipment consignment auction. You'll find a heavier product for a lower price. We use a bog disc for sod, but one of those would anchor your tractor.

I really appreciate both replies to my question. So far I've found an old/used single bottom plow in very good condition; surface rust but no welded spots for $250 down in Arkansas. Will continue my search locally, but waiting with patience is not one of my virtues. After utubing the single & double plows, I believe this is exactly what I'm looking for. Many thanks!

 

[jeff9366]

You could possibly pull a 10" two bottom, but 10" plows are rare.

A single 12" is what you need.

The old Ford 9N-8N tractors with filled tires could pull two bottom 12" plows, but they are heavier than your Mahindra. Tractor weight makes a great difference when pulling a plow.

I presume you do NOT have TURF TIRES on your Mahindra, which are too wide to use with a 12" plow. Turf tires will not fit into a 12" wide furrow.

After you plow you should be able to sell your plow for $250 and put the money toward a Disc Harrow with 18" diameter pans and a Box Frame, the lightest Disc Harrow which is effective. Box Frame Disc Harrows have either four or five adjustment holes so they can be set to cut more aggressively than angle-iron Disc Harrows.

Good luck.

 

[Mulemamma]

By googling I apparently have R4 tires....too big?

 

[jeff9366]

By googling I apparently have R4 tires....too big?

R4s are usually right at 12" wide on 25 horsepower to 35 horsepower tractors. I have R4s on my Kubota L3560 pulling 12" a two bottom Ford 101 plow and the R4s fit in the furrow fine as the tractor weight bears.

To be sure, put a tape measure across the tread of your rear tires. Google is not enough.

 

[kthompson]

If you are wanting to get rid of the grass that is there now you have other options to consider: spray with roundup to kill the grass and give it I would say at least three weeks. Depending on how thick and your area you might then could burn it off which would be a good help.
Another is to mow it very closed before you begin work on it. You have the grass top and the roots to fight, both are tough. Depending on your plans you could as has been mentioned hire local farmer to disk with heavy disk, but up with chisel plows or maybe subsoiler. Not kicking the recommendation of the moldboard plow. Was very much a staple on farms here. The mowing and roundup will help regardless the implement you end on it as there is less trash to handle.
One point, with this being established grass there may be a reason, such as stones or stumps in the ground so be prepared. kt
A lot depends on what you plan to use the land for after this.

 

[Mulemamma]

I must stay organic...glyphosate is too dangerous for me, my animals & our food. But...thank you for your reply. Hiring someone around here to disk the pasture is way too expensive. I enjoy doing my own work around the farm; such a sense of accomplishment. Great point about mowing the top grass down before plowing...with the rain that we're getting it is set to bolt when the sun decides to show up. And I did forget about stones & stumps.

 

[Foodplot]

I miss the Ozarks. Take all those rocks and make Arkansas fenceposts. Not sure where in the MO Ozarks you are, but there should be an equipment consigment auction coming up early spring around Bolivar. Might give that a try. If nothing else, auctions give you a perspective on various brands and levels of quality. Good luck with your project.