How to farm with a tractor?

medic265 · Jun 3, 2011

Hello Everyone,

I know this is a very basic question but I can't really find an answer on the internet.

I hope that someone can explain to me the uses of different tractor implements. For some background I have planted my first garden this year. I didn't own a tractor then so I used a tiller and hoe and such.

So as an example I have seen disk cultivators(?) and harrow cultivators(?). What is the difference in their uses? Are either used for weeding between rows while the plants are small?

What about row spacing? How far should I place my rows? My tractor is a BX25 so it's about 48" from outside tire to outside tire.

Thanks for any help.
Greg

Chagrin · Jun 3, 2011

Disks are used to prep soil in the spring, break up clumps (like after ploughing), or to chop up dead plant matter in the fall and push it into the soil. It consists of a row or two of cupped disks set at an angle to the direction of travel of the tractor -- more or less depending on how aggressively you want them to dig in.

A harrow can also be used like a disk to break up soil in the spring, but more typically it is used to cultivate weeds between rows of growing plants in the spring. A harrow consists of sets of some kind of downward "tine" with various types of points available (sweeps, chisels, etc.), and usually the positioning of the tines can be adjusted to match your rows. Unlike a disk it's not very useful to use to break up plant matter in the fall because it'll just wind up raking everything up.

With respect to row spacing it appears you've already got the idea that you want to choose a spacing that's compatible with your tractor's wheelbase. You then need to adjust your spacing for plants within those rows to a compatible density for the type of plant you're growing.

Jim-Iowa · Jun 3, 2011

Chagrin pretty well explained the differences in harrows.
Both are used to break up the soil after it is plowed.
Back in the 60's when Tillers were not used much, there were many steps in seedbed preparation.
1)Plow 2) Disc Harrow to break the clods down 3) Disc Harrow to break the clods down even further and to level the soil. 4) Some even used a Culti-packer to break it down even further.
That's a lot of trips across the field using more fuel and compacting the soil.

If you have a tiller(you did not say if it was mounted on your BX25 or a walk behind), you may still want to use a disc Harrow and then till and your ready to plant.

On your wheel spacing, It depends on what your planting and how much ground you are working. Rember you can straddle the rows until the plants get too high to run under the tractor.
You just need to determine whether 30" or 36" or even 40" rows work out best for you. Just lay out the planting so your wheels run between the rows and not over them. As long as your not wiping out your crop, there are not any hard fast rules. Just think it through and you will do fine.

I've seen ads for the International Cub that showed them straddling as many as 6 rows of table vegatables in a pass.

My gardening is done with a walking tiller, but I'm looking for a Compact, and you have a fine tractor.

kentucky wildcat · Jun 3, 2011

Hey Medic265, you've asked a good question in that so many of us have been doing this since we could walk we assume everyone knows. Plus it's good to work that post count, eight in nearly two years-we want to hear more from you.

Chagrin has given you the basics you need to know. If you are in KY then you're not far from a farm, go see how it's done. The county extension agent can give you great info. Maybe Mother Earth News or Organic Gardening magazines can give you some ideas.

So where are you in KY? If you don't want a full disclosure to everyone then PM me. Look forward to hearing from you.

Jim-Iowa · Jun 3, 2011

The Magazines area good idea. One I have found very interesting and informative and should be available at the local grocery news stand is" Hobby Farms".

medic265 · Jun 3, 2011

Thanks for all the replies. As far as the post count I'm more of a lurker I guess. I'm more of a builder than a farmer (so far but thats changing) but it seems the questions get answered pretty much before I get a chance to chime in.

And thanks for the positive on the tractor. I've had it three weeks and I'm not sure how I got to be 41 years old before I bought one. It has truly change my life around here and I have used it for something everyday.

When I planted my garden I used a walkbehind tiller. I did get a 50" with my tractor and all I can say is "wow"

So now that I've got a little equipment I have actually planted two more plots of green beans to try and sell. But I want to do all I can with the tractor to save labor and sweat if possible and that was the cultivator and spacing question.

So you guys answered exactly what I was wondering and I really appreciate it.

Oh yea....I'm in SE Kentucky in Knox County.

RDR · Jun 5, 2011

What is the distance center to center on your tires? I would guess about 40" since it is 48 to the outside of the tires. You can have a 40" spacing or 20" spacing and straddle two rows. It all depends on how much area you have and what you are going to plant.

Jim-Iowa · Jun 6, 2011

With the 50" tractor mounted tiller, you may not need a Disc or Tooth Harrow at all. If I had that tractor and Tiller, I would start with that, a 3 point Cultivator and a Hiller/Bed Raiser( But I'm into Raised Bed's).
Especially if your growing potatoes, and a Middle Buster to dig the potatoes.
Or you could use the middle buster if your wanting to notill small plants like beans etc.

And add implements as I saw the need and could justify the cost.

Keep your eyes open as you travel the countryside. Watch the junk piles around old farms(though with the value of scrap, they are rapidly being depleted in this area). There are disc harrows considered too small by todays standards that would be compatible with your Compact tractor.

And the tooth harrows pulled by horses originnaly are proping up fences.
After I bought my place I found 3 5ft sections along the north fence and cut down the tongue to pull 1 section with my 318.

How to farm with a tractor?

medic265

Chagrin

Jim-Iowa

kentucky wildcat

Jim-Iowa

medic265

RDR

Jim-Iowa

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