Using a Disc for the first time

[Catman8]

Hello, it is January 8th here in central California and the grass and weeds are starting to grow, this in my first time using a disc, I disced the field length wise and then a second pass vertical, I'm wondering why there is such deep grooves 12" deep and then shallow groves, is this normal for a disc or is there an adjustment to make the dirt more even. The dirt is damp from the winter.

 

[shovelmike]

It will pulverize better after it dries out more. I usually make a few passes at slow speed, then a few more at higher speed to really break it up nicely.

 

[Gary Fowler]

It looks fairly level but you could shorten up the top link a bit to take the back gangs out of the ground a bit. This will leave less of a furrow. When using a disc, make your first pass then straddle the furrows to make the next pass.

If the ground is humped a bit in the middle, the rear gangs are too deep-shorten the top link. If you have a bit of a depression in the center, lengthen the top link in order for the rear gangs to pull more dirt. You will always have a bit of a furrow. Sometimes disks will have a smaller blade on the outer gang on the back so it doesn't pull in as much dirt thus making a deep furrow.

I think you can minimize the furrow by just shortening the top link a bit.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Hello, it is January 8th here in central California and the grass and weeds are starting to grow, this in my first time using a disc, I disced the field length wise and then a second pass vertical, I'm wondering why there is such deep grooves 12" deep and then shallow groves, is this normal for a disc or is there an adjustment to make the dirt more even. The dirt is damp from the winter.

View attachment 636034View attachment 636035View attachment 636036View attachment 636037View attachment 636038

You can also pull the pin on the back gang and move it back one hole so the back gangs aren't as aggressive of a cut.

 

[jeff9366]

You can also pull the pin on the back gang and move it back one hole so the back gangs aren't as aggressive of a cut.

The front gangs are the cutting gangs and should be set to cut the depth you want, usually one or two pin settings more aggressively than the rear gangs. (In PHOTO #1 "flat" set front gangs are rolling over the ground, not cutting.)

The rear gangs smooth. The rear gangs should be set two pin settings "flatter" than front gangs for the first pass, then flatter yet as you make successive passes.

Make secondary passes at a forty-five degree angle, not at ninety degree angle. This because of gang angles.

(Basically, you have the Disc Harrow in PHOTO #1 adjusted backwards so there is no smoothing.)

(Notched, rather than smooth pans on the rear gang would chop the clods a little finer during the first pass.)


LOVELY DIRT.


MUCH MORE DETAIL: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ing-three-point-hitch-mounted.html?highlight=

 

[Industrial Toys]

What is your purpose for disking?

I would drag a chain harrow behind it.

 

[jeff9366]

If the ground is humped a bit in the middle, the rear gangs are too deep-shorten the top link. If you have a bit of a depression in the center, lengthen the top link in order for the rear gangs to pull more dirt. You will always have a bit of a furrow.

Sometimes disks will have a smaller blade on the outer gang on the back so it doesn't pull in as much dirt thus making a deep furrow.

YES.

The furrow is from outer pan on each side, where there is no adjacent pan to form a gate for dirt. A small pan on the outside moves less dirt, therefore furrow is reduced when a small outer pan is fitted. Small outer pans are mostly fitted to WIDE Disc Harrows. Your 60" wide Disc Harrow is correctly outfitted with all identical diameter pans.

Do not over till the dirt or you will have baked adobe clay in the summer.

Drag next. I use a framed Chain Harrow in Florida sandy-loam. This smooths the top 2" to 3" of soil. Another form of drag may be optimal for your California soil.

 

[Catman8]

What is your purpose for disking?

I would drag a chain harrow behind it.

Right now, just weed control.

 

[Catman8]

Thank you guys for the info and the links, all very helpful.

Yes your right it is beautiful dirt, can't wait to get some time to grow some kind of crop.

 

[jeff9366]

Planting a cover crop is preferable to leaving the ground bare, if you will not plant a market crop this Spring.

I suggest a soil test so you know soil pH and any soil nutrient needs before considering which cover crop to plant. California ag agents have the reputation of being very helpful.

While growing, cover crops outgrow weeds, smothering the weeds.

When turned under, cover crops add nutrients and improve soil tilth.

I use mixed Oats and Winter Wheat, which mature successively, for a fall/winter cover crop, Sunn Hemp in the Summer. May experiment with Buckwheat and Clover.

Legumes add nitrogen. (clover, beans, peas)

Cover crops are usually in the ground four to six months, then disced under.

What works well in Florida probably will not be optimum in California. California/western grown seed will probably be most successful for you.

A number of game food plot seed mixes make excellent cover crops and may be cheaper than individual seed types.

Many cover crops are $25 - $30 per 50 pound bag in Florida.

LINK: https://hancockseed.com/collections/cover-crop

 

[nybirdman]

Jealous:it was -1F this morning in Northern NY.A little stiff for disking!

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Planting a cover crop is preferable to leaving the ground bare, if you will not plant a market crop this Spring.

I suggest a soil test so you know soil pH and any soil nutrient needs before considering which cover crop to plant. California ag agents have the reputation of being very helpful.

While growing, cover crops outgrow weeds, smothering the weeds.

When turned under, cover crops add nutrients and improve soil tilth.

I use mixed Oats and Winter Wheat, which mature successively, for a fall/winter cover crop, Sunn Hemp in the Summer. May experiment with Buckwheat and Clover.

Legumes add nitrogen. (clover, beans, peas)

Cover crops are usually in the ground four to six months, then disced under.

What works well in Florida probably will not be optimum in California. California/western grown seed will probably be most successful for you.

A number of game food plot seed mixes make excellent cover crops and may be cheaper than individual seed types.

Many cover crops are $25 - $30 per 50 pound bag in Florida.

LINK: https://hancockseed.com/collections/cover-crop

This is very good advice.
Nothing good comes from bare soil.
"Fallow Field Syndrome" is somthing I have experienced once and never again in our hay field.
Read this carefully:
Reduce the risk of fallow syndrome with cover crops | UMN Extension

Plant a cover crop, at least.

 

[Catman8]

Jealous:it was -1F this morning in Northern NY.A little stiff for disking!

Burr that's cold, :frosty:

 

[Catman8]

After starting to read all this info I feel I need to get a degree in agriculture, it really starts to get in depth the more you read, and also the warnings about planting something that's invasive. I found this PDF and I'm in the green zone. Thanks again for the info guys.:drink:

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/capmctn13333.pdf

 

[Egon]

At one time “Summer Fallowing” was a popular method of weed control

 

[Catman8]

I read all your guys info and took the info out to the Tractor today to see what I could do, the first three passes are with the front disc touching the ground and the rear about 2" above the ground, I changed the back angle of the disc two holes difference from the front, and I'm letting the disc float through all the test passes, and I am straddling each furrow as instructed.

I also bought a front weight bracket that holds seven 42lb weights =294lbs. The Tractor seams to run smother without the FEL, it does not rock back and forth like it did with the FEL, and there is less chance of me taking out the fence,:ashamed: don't ask me how I know:ashamed:

 

[Catman8]

Second two passes I only moved the rear discs one hole opposite from the front instead of two, the trash can lid marks the new passes to the right of the lid.

 

[Catman8]

The third set of passes I adjusted the top link so the rear disc was 1" off the ground and you can see the adjustment to the gangs in the photo. It seems to be getting smoother.

 

[Catman8]

I then put the rear disc straight and that got worse

 

[Catman8]

So I went back to this gang set up and did a bunch of passes, the set up is still 1" rear disc off the ground. Is this as good as it gets or do you have other suggestions.