How to Set up a Disc Harrow?

When it comes to preparing the soil for planting, farmers have been relying on disc harrows for decades. This blog solely focuses on how to set up a disc harrow.

As the world of tillage equipment progresses from traditional to advanced harrows, thus for farmers, keeping pace with these latest advancements is necessary. It enables them to optimize their crop yields and ultimately make the most of their profits.

It’s crucial to acknowledge that the efficiency of this farm implement can differ significantly based on a range of factors. These factors include the type of soil, crop cultivation, temperature, and environmental conditions.

For instance, a particular diamond harrow could excel when used on heavy clay soils, yet show reduced effectiveness on sandy soils, and the reverse is also true.

How to Set up Kelly Disc Harrow? Do it Right in Simple Steps

Gather Tool & Equipment

Before you begin, make sure to gather all the required tools and equipment. This list should include items such as the disc harrow, a tractor with the right amount of horsepower, safety gear including gloves and safety glasses, hitch pins, locking pins, and any tools needed for the assembly process.

Tractor Preparation

Make sure that the tractor you intend to utilize possesses enough power to operate it. Examine the hydraulic system, engine, and tires of the tractor to ensure they are in optimal operational state.

Hitching the Disc Harrow

Attaching the harrow to the tractor correctly is essential to ensure safe and efficient operation. Here is a more detailed explanation of this process:

Alignment: Arrange the tractor and the diamond harrow in a way that they are in a straight line. The tractor should be directly positioned behind the harrow.

Lower Hitch Arms: Engage the hydraulic system of the tractor to gradually lower the three-point hitch arms. Lower the arms to a suitable height that facilitates the effortless attachment of the harrow’s hitch.

Attaching Hitch: Insert the hitch pins of the Kelly Diamond Harrow onto the hitch arms of the tractor. Ensure proper alignment between the holes on the hitch and the holes on the tractor’s arms.

Secure With Locking Pins: Place the locking pins through the holes in the hitch pins to effectively fasten them to the tractor. Confirm that the pins are completely inserted and firmly secured in place.

Adjusting Harrow Angle

Adjusting the angle of the disc gangs directly impacts how this farm tool engages with the soil. To achieve the desired cutting effect, follow these steps:

Reference Manual: Consult the manufacturer’s manual to determine the suggested disc angle that aligns with your particular soil type and prevailing conditions.

Adjustment Mechanism: Nearly all disc harrows feature an adjustable mechanism that enables the alteration of the angle of the disc gangs. This process could involve relocating pins to various holes in the frame of the harrow.

Leveling

Achieving proper leveling of this harrow is essential to ensure consistent cutting and prevent irregular tillage. Follow these steps to accurately level this farming tool:

Side-to-Side Leveling: Use the straight bar at the back of the harrow to make the harrow level from side to side. Make sure the harrow is flat and even with the ground.

Front to Back Leveling: Make sure that the harrow is equally level both from the front and the back. You can achieve this by modifying the height of the tractor’s three-point hitch.

Depth & Adjustment

Achieving the correct working depth of the discs is crucial to ensure efficient tillage. Follow the below-mentioned steps to accomplish this:

Depth Control Lever: Adjust the depth control lever on the tractor to modify the three-point hitch’s angle. Altering the angle to be steeper will result in the harrow being lowered into the soil, whereas opting for a shallower angle will raise it.

Transport Position

To avoid causing damage when relocating the disc harrow between fields or for storage, ensure it is placed in the transport position.

Lift the Harrow: Leverage the hydraulic controls of the tractor to lift the disc harrow above the ground level. This action effectively keeps the discs from making contact with the ground while being transported.

Safety Check

Before using this farm tool, conduct a comprehensive safety inspection:

Connections & Attachments: Thoroughly examine all connections and attachments to verify they are properly secured.

Lubrication: Ensure that all components in motion, including bearings and pivot points, have sufficient lubrication.

Visual Inspection: Inspect the discs, frame, and other components for any indications of wear, harm, or fractures.

Test Run

Perform a test run in a clear and open area before engaging in harrowing.

Test Operation: Start up the harrow and use the tractor to go in a straight line. Watch how well it works. Check that the discs are cutting and mixing the soil like they should be.

Fine-tuning: If needed, make minor changes to the angle, depth, or level of the disc to ensure the best possible performance.

Components of Disc Harrow

Let’s discuss more about this farm implement.

Frame

It holds every component together to provide support. It is designed to be strong and tough to withstand the stresses of the field.

Gang

These are the circular clusters of disc blades that are attached to the frame. Each gang consists of multiple discs that rotate as the harrow is pulled through the field. These blades are the primary working elements of the diamond harrow and are responsible for cutting, breaking, and turning the soil.

Disc Blades

These circular metal blades are attached to the disc gangs. They are available in a range of sizes and can feature either notches or a smooth surface, depending on the specific role of this farm tool.

Notched blades display greater aggression and excel at slicing through resilient debris, whereas smooth blades ensure a more even soil-cutting process.

Bearings & Hubs

These elements enable the disc blades to rotate smoothly along the disc gangs. To ensure effective performance, proper lubrication and maintenance is always required.

Scraper Blades

The blades are located at the rear of the disc blades and are responsible for removing soil and debris that could gather on the disc blades while in operation. Maintaining the cleanliness of these blades enhances their cutting effectiveness.

Hitch

The hitch acts as a special connector that attaches the harrow to a tractor or another pulling vehicle. This connection allows for smooth dragging of it through the field.

Transport Wheels

Adjustable transport wheels that can be lifted and lowered. These wheels allow for easy transport of the harrow between fields and help prevent unnecessary wear on the disc blades when moving over roads.

Spool

A spool or spacer maintains uniform spacing between disc blades, ensuring consistent soil engagement, efficient tillage, and proper incorporation of crop residues for effective soil preparation and weed control.

Summing Up

To sum up, the process of setting up a disc harrow demands keen attention to detail and strict adherence to the manufacturer’s provided guidelines. It is crucial to accurately adjust the disc angles, depth, and spacing to achieve optimal soil preparation.

Consistent maintenance is necessary to ensure the equipment performs reliably and has a long lifespan. It’s worth emphasizing that a properly set-up disc harrow is a fundamental component for efficient and successful cultivation practices, ultimately leading to productive and prosperous farming results.