Disk size for 100 Farmall

I have a 100 farmall with a 3 point hitch and have been trying to decide what would be the best size tandem disk for smoothing out garden. I use a 100hp with a 10ft taylor pull type disk to break it up and it leaves it too ruff to plant. Also what size blades do I need to look for? Would 18" be better than 16"? Thanks.

RDJ: My first disk for 130 and 140 was 16 blades 16" diameter, tractors played with that. My next disk was a 24 blade MF, 18" blades. I did get along with it but it was too much load especially hydraulics. It also caused me to spin out quite easily. I sold it mainly because of hydraulics, figured I'd do damage sooner or later.

I'm now looking for a 20 blade disk with 16" or 18" blades. If your looking for a machine to smooth behind your Taylor Disk, this is what I use, bought the S-tines and built it myself. Since the photo a crumbler has been added.

Hugh, thanks for the info. I have been using a 9 shank pasture renovator to run over it but I would like to get something that will work behind my little 100. I sure like the idea of your S-tine implement. Is that similar to a field cultivator? What is the width on it? (My wife just came by while I was printing a picture of it and she just shook her head and ask "How many gadgets does one man need?")

RDJ: The cultivator is a shade less than 6" wide. There are 17 shanks spaced on 4" centers. These are on three tool bars.

Since the photo I've added gauge wheels at the back. If you drop this cultivator as deep as it will go, it will stop a 100, 130 or 140 on the spot. Before I added the gauge wheels, I'd get into trouble if rear tractor wheel went through a hollow. I designed the crumbler so I just hitch it behind. I didn't want to add a lot of weight by having crumbler mounted directly on back of cultivator.

I bought the shanks new, complete with clamp and point for just under $10. per shank. You have to watch the clamps you get with S-tines, some are designed to clamp tight on 1/2"x2" steel bar and some require 5/8"x2" to keep them tight. If I remember correctly it's the original Danish S-tines that use 1/2"x2 and US replacement that use 5/8"x2" My clamps are for 5/8"x2".

When I built this close to 20 years ago, the smallest factory S-tine cultivator was 8'. There weren't a lot of used one's on the market back then. I didn't feel like taking the torch to an 8' cultivator to make it 6'. Put it this way I built the whole cultivator for less than $500. I couldn't see paying $900. for an 8' I had to cut down then add a fast hitch fork.

I see used 8', S-tine cultivators go in auctions today for $200. I wouldn't build one today, just go to a consignment auction, about the only guy your bidding against is scrap dealer, he has a percise cut off.