How Do I Choose the Best Disc Harrow?

In gardening applications, a disc harrow is used to break up soil in preparation for planting. Various types of harrows exist, each with its own specific purpose, and a disc harrow is only one of the tools that will be used in the process of smoothing out the soil and ridding it of weeds and stones that can hinder effective planting. When choosing the best harrow with discs, it is important to consider how large of a plot of land you will be harrowing, how often you will need to harrow, and how you will be pulling the harrows.

On farms or for large plots of land, a tractor or ATV may be necessary to pull the disc harrow. If you will be using a tractor, be sure to choose a disc harrow that can work in conjunction with your tractor's power take off (PTO) system. Many harrows are powered, meaning the discs can rotate independently and at a different speed than the speed at which the unit is being towed, but a power source will be necessary. For smaller models designed to work in conjunction with ATVs, this power source may be mounted on the harrow itself, but with tractor models, the PTO will usually be necessary.

Think about the width of the disc harrow, as well as the size of the discs themselves. You can determine the best size by thinking about the amount of land you need to harrow, as well as the depth to which you will need the discs to cut. The manufacturer will generally specify the harrow's capabilities so you can make the most appropriate determination. It is best to choose a harrow from a well known and respected manufacturer; this will ensure you will be able to get replacement parts when necessary, and you may be able to take advantage of the manufacturer's warranty should something go wrong after purchase.

If you are considering purchasing a used harrow, it is especially important to do a visual inspection of the machine before purchasing. Look for obvious signs of neglect, such as excess rust, dents, bends in the frame, broken discs, and any other damage that may indicate the unit has not been properly cared for or has been used to the point that it is no longer functional or useful. Be sure to hook up the harrow to a tractor to test out the PTO system before purchasing as well.