Disc plow vs moldboard plow vs rototiller?

[bstarn]

I am clearing an old dried up 5 acre beaver pond. I have removed all the stumps, deadheads and rocks that I could find, but there may be some old roots and stones still buried in the sub-soil. I want to convert the beaver pond into a pasture and/or garden. What would you recommend for turning over the soil for the first time - disc plow, moldboard plow or rototiller? The soil varies from deep black loam to sand and clay.

I have a L3800

Bill in snowy Canada

 

[cerlawson]

I would go with a method that I know will not be much affected by roots and rocks. I think that rules out roto tiller, even though one or two passes with that is all you need for a garden. While the mold board plow may hang up of stuff, you can back up and continue. No damage either. However a rake or spring tooth harrow still is needed for final "dressing".

 

[Diydave]

Terminology...

This is a disc-plow: https://www.google.com/search?q=dis...cade.com%2F1%2Fdisc-plough-drawing%2F;450;316

This is a disc-harrow: https://www.google.com/search?q=dis...ducts%2F64%2Fdh10-series-disc-harrows;768;768

If you have lots of stumps and roots, the disc-plow is hands down the best. It cuts the thin roots, and rolls over the big ones...

 

[ShaunBlake]

... I have removed all the stumps, deadheads and rocks that I could find, but there may be some old roots and stones still buried in the sub-soil... What would you recommend for turning over the soil for the first time - disc plow, moldboard plow or rototiller? The soil varies from deep black loam to sand and clay.

I have a L3800

How did you remove the stumps, deadheads, and rocks? Your profile only lists the L3800; if you have another attachment for the heavy lifting, so to speak, I'd go with the recommendation for the disc harrow. If you 'encounter' obstructions, your heavy-lifting attachment can be brought into play.

The risk that I see is damaging one of the harrowing discs <grin> -- I expect that your first cut won't be real aggressive, reducing the risk. However, it's your wallet, and I'm more a hay farmer than a dirt farmer.