Size disk harrow needed?

[clemsonfor]

I have a ym2000 yanmar 2wd. For those who may not know its 24 engine hp and weighs around 1700lbs no weight added (i dont have suitcase weights, wheel weights or ballest tires). I am looking to buy a disk harrow. I have found a used set with i think 16 disks in 2 gangs(4 individual axles with 4 disks per axle). The rear of the disks is just over 5 ft and is an angle iron construckion type. I looked online at lineback and looks very similar to one they have listed around 540 lbs. Would this be too much disk or to heavy to pull in my heavy clay to clay/sandy loam soils for food plots? My other thought was what if i get it and take 4 disks off if i was bogging down pulling it or if needed 4 from the front gangs and two off the back to get even less resistance, would the weight of the frame just push harder on those remaining disks that i would bog the same unless i watched my draft?

The other scenario is to buy a new 12 disk harrow that is a 4 ft leinback model that is in the 350lb range.\

I was wondering what yall think, if i can go the used route it will save me around $200 (its price is $350).

My thinking is i can always take disks off but i cant add them, easily at least,.
And if i can get the larger one i dont have to worry about leaving tire tracks if i remove inner disks.

 

[beersngars]

I would think that disk set to be about perfect. Like you said, there is the option to remove a few disks. Go for the used one.

 

[deepNdirt]

I dont think you'll have any problems with the 16 disc setup, besides needing front weights, I own a Ym 1700 and it weighs a bit over 1800 lbs. I use single row 10 disc harrow and have to add 250lb. weight on the harrow to get a good bite into the soil, I also have weights on front of tractor to hold it down,.... I actually think my 1700 would pull double row harrow with no problem.

 

[clemsonfor]

your talking about one of those single gang 5 per side harrows that dont weigh much maybe in the 300lb range so i can see needing weight to get through the top, esp. if there is grass. Im talking about a 500+ pound double gang harrow that has 16 disks.

 

[clemsonfor]

guess i missed the part about weight. A 300lb harrow with 250 added to the top is going to put that one in the same range as the one im talking about. The only difference is that it has 1.5 times the amount of ground contacting surface to hang the tractor.

 

[deepNdirt]

The only difference is that it has 1.5 times the amount of ground contacting surface to hang the tractor.

The disc should roll, so it would be very doubtful that you would hang up as you might would with a tooth shank plow, the front row disc do the primary cutting and the 2nd row follow up with tilling under, If you have any doubt that your Tractor will not pull 16 disc perhaps go to a single row/Gang harrow, I have no doubt your Ym2000 will pull single row up hill in high gear, as I stated before I'm confident that my 1700 would pull a double gang harrow, I already have this single harrow with my previouse 18 hp Kubota and continue to use it with my Ym1700, otherwize if I were seeking to buy one I would go with a larger double row, These compact tractors have amazing power and capabilities

 

[kthompson]

colemsonfor, there is more than the weight and number of disk blades to consider. As you are right to mention the type of soil is also a big part. Odd but normally hard soils are easier to pull a disk through as the disk does not penetrate as well as in sandy soil which will really put a lot on one. The angle of the blades also affect the load, the more aggressive the angle the more the load. Also slower ground speed normally gives your disk more time to penetrate the dirt and again more load.

Also some small gang disk are built where you can flip the rear gangs up on top of the front two giving you move weight on those blades.

I would not be scared to buy that disk as you have already pointed out to easy to remove a blade per axle if need be.

 

[clemsonfor]

im confident that i could pull a double row as well, just not sure if i could pull the width of this one, they make 4 ft double row harrows with 12 disks go to leinbacks page and look and page 2 of the catalog.

Im not arguing with your experience im just not wanting to buy a peice of equiptment and with i would have not bought it then have to sell it and then buy something else.

But like i said with the ability to remove disks i could at worst case remove the back 2 gangs and it would then be a heavy single gang.