How much disc harrow can I pull with a B7610 HST?
- Thread starter jcork
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25 acres is quite a bit to disk, especially with a tractor of that size. That doesn't mean it is impossible, but you will be working on it for awhile. My concern for you is that you're talking about disking infrequently. Depending on your time frame, and the conditions, you may struggle too much to do a thorough job with something light as you will need. Going smaller but denser seems wise to me. The 3 point disks for compact tractors are light compared to the drawbar pulled wheel disks of roughly the same cutting width.
For example, Monroe's nicely built 5 1/2 foot 3 point disk has 16 blades and weighs in at 606 pounds, markedly heavier than the cheaper angle iron framed versions. Their 6 foot offset wheel disk, by contrast, also has 16 blades, cuts only 6 inches more, but weighs in at 2935 lbs. In other words, what the 3 point disk would weigh with your tractor and loader on top of it, and then some, probably. For cutting rough pasture, hard soil, or other applications, it's no contest between the two. Once cut in, though, it could be maintained with a lighter disk.
A lot depends on the condition and circumstances, really. Others, with different experiences and perceptions, will have equally valid input that may differ significantly from mine, but I think compact tractors do ground engagement activities better with implements on the smaller side rather than larger. A smaller disk, say, can either cut deeper or go faster than a bigger disk, something I find more versatile than an implement of larger size.
I would suggest something in the 4 foot range that you can ballast as needed, rather than getting something bigger that you cannot pull if cutting deeply. Cutting through vegetation will take the heaviest disk you can manage, with most pounds per disk you can. If you're set on doing it all, you might strongly consider running over the area with box blade rippers first, then disking, even
though it means two passes. A better bet will be to hire it done first, then maintain it with your 7610.
If your ground is fairly soft and light, and not overgrown with sod, you can get away with smaller equipment from the get-go. If you are wanting to cut into old pasture land with a 6 foot disk behind that tractor, you're going to be hating life soon, in my opinion.
For example, Monroe's nicely built 5 1/2 foot 3 point disk has 16 blades and weighs in at 606 pounds, markedly heavier than the cheaper angle iron framed versions. Their 6 foot offset wheel disk, by contrast, also has 16 blades, cuts only 6 inches more, but weighs in at 2935 lbs. In other words, what the 3 point disk would weigh with your tractor and loader on top of it, and then some, probably. For cutting rough pasture, hard soil, or other applications, it's no contest between the two. Once cut in, though, it could be maintained with a lighter disk.
A lot depends on the condition and circumstances, really. Others, with different experiences and perceptions, will have equally valid input that may differ significantly from mine, but I think compact tractors do ground engagement activities better with implements on the smaller side rather than larger. A smaller disk, say, can either cut deeper or go faster than a bigger disk, something I find more versatile than an implement of larger size.
I would suggest something in the 4 foot range that you can ballast as needed, rather than getting something bigger that you cannot pull if cutting deeply. Cutting through vegetation will take the heaviest disk you can manage, with most pounds per disk you can. If you're set on doing it all, you might strongly consider running over the area with box blade rippers first, then disking, even
though it means two passes. A better bet will be to hire it done first, then maintain it with your 7610.
If your ground is fairly soft and light, and not overgrown with sod, you can get away with smaller equipment from the get-go. If you are wanting to cut into old pasture land with a 6 foot disk behind that tractor, you're going to be hating life soon, in my opinion.
This might besomething you want to take a look at
http://www.everythingattachments.com/Tractor-3-Point-Disc-Harrow-Model-96-p/lb-disc-harrow-lb96.htm
http://www.everythingattachments.com/Tractor-3-Point-Disc-Harrow-Model-96-p/lb-disc-harrow-lb96.htm
I agree 24Hps is pretty light to do a lot. I don't intend to try and run field crops and routinely work the ground end-to-end. I know there are sections I would like to disc and mow and such from time to time, but my 4' mower has taught me just how much I don't want to do blanket coverage.
My 7610 weighs about 2000# with the loader and ballast in the tires, but I would be interested in an opinion as to how much weight that could reasonable pull in a disc. It seems like the 'compact' gear is much more heavily built than the subcompact equipment.
I hadn't looked at a 4' model, but I'm not against it, and I agree that hiring out the heavy work to a neighbor with a heavy tractor makes good sense. I have a lot of old sod from CRP to break up, and I'd like to get in some clover.
My 7610 weighs about 2000# with the loader and ballast in the tires, but I would be interested in an opinion as to how much weight that could reasonable pull in a disc. It seems like the 'compact' gear is much more heavily built than the subcompact equipment.
I hadn't looked at a 4' model, but I'm not against it, and I agree that hiring out the heavy work to a neighbor with a heavy tractor makes good sense. I have a lot of old sod from CRP to break up, and I'd like to get in some clover.
I have a 15 PTO horsepower Yanmar that weighs about 2250 lbs ballasted for work. It has 9.5x16 and 6-12 ag tires. My roughly 5 1/2 foot tandem disk with 20 18 inch blades, of box steel construction, is too much implement. It will lift it, and kind of pull it, but very slowly, which reduces the effectiveness and productivity. I have about a 4 foot offset disk that is a nicer match. It can be ballasted some to cut harder or overgrown soil, but not enough to do new ground breaking work on packed, hard, or soil with, especially, sod. If the field has been turned with a plow or middle buster first, the bigger disk works to level and smooth, but it is hard on the tractor, and still slow. My bigger 20 PTO horsepower machine on 9.5x24 tires is still a little light for the bigger disk, but can really work the 4 footer under any conditions, and gives better results.
It's really a matter of what you're wanting to do. Getting a bigger disk will make smoothing the garden go a little more quickly once you have ripped it with another implement. A smaller disk may let you skip that other step. If you get it turned and loosened up, a bigger disk may let you maintain it. The bigger disk will leave a smoother looking field, probably, but you will likely not be done much, if any faster, since you won't be traveling as fast.
I expect a roughly 5 foot cut (say, a 16 blade, 16" tandem disk) would be manageable for what you're doing. If you're running turf tires, you may struggle to pull much without chains.
Not knowing your budget it is tough to share specific advice, but finding something used between 4 and 5 1/2 feet wide would let you try it out and still be able to sell t for about what you paid if you aren't satisfied with the performance.
Specifically about the weight, it depends on the width and other factors too. A 500 lb 7 foot disk with a shallow angle of cut will pull easier on hard soil than a 500 lb disk 3 1/2 feet wide angled more and actually disrupting the soil. You'll be ok with something roughly the size of your tire width and as heavily built as they come. The manufacturers of
implements build for the market, and Kubota is kind of the generic standard for compact tractors. If the implement is about the same width as your machine, you ought to bins, and the 3 point models of those widths won't be too heavy.
It's really a matter of what you're wanting to do. Getting a bigger disk will make smoothing the garden go a little more quickly once you have ripped it with another implement. A smaller disk may let you skip that other step. If you get it turned and loosened up, a bigger disk may let you maintain it. The bigger disk will leave a smoother looking field, probably, but you will likely not be done much, if any faster, since you won't be traveling as fast.
I expect a roughly 5 foot cut (say, a 16 blade, 16" tandem disk) would be manageable for what you're doing. If you're running turf tires, you may struggle to pull much without chains.
Not knowing your budget it is tough to share specific advice, but finding something used between 4 and 5 1/2 feet wide would let you try it out and still be able to sell t for about what you paid if you aren't satisfied with the performance.
Specifically about the weight, it depends on the width and other factors too. A 500 lb 7 foot disk with a shallow angle of cut will pull easier on hard soil than a 500 lb disk 3 1/2 feet wide angled more and actually disrupting the soil. You'll be ok with something roughly the size of your tire width and as heavily built as they come. The manufacturers of
implements build for the market, and Kubota is kind of the generic standard for compact tractors. If the implement is about the same width as your machine, you ought to bins, and the 3 point models of those widths won't be too heavy.