Disc vs. field cultivator

valleview · May 6, 2018

We have always used a disc to prepare ground for planting corn and soybeans. Would a field cultivator do a better job, especially on prior years corn ground? Does a field cultivator handle corn trash better than a disc? The "brain trust" has great responses - thanks.

Ray IN · May 6, 2018

A disk is better at least for the first pass in corn stalks, especially if your are talking about an older cultivator, which will drag pretty bad if stalks are not cut up first. But the cultivator with a harrow will usually leave the field more level, and the seedbed is somewhat looser because a disk causes more compaction. But if you are pulling a basket or roller to pack it back down to keep moisture in, then the results will be about the same with either tool.

hydro70guy · May 6, 2018

A disc will handle corn stalks better. The newer stacked hybrids just have to much stalk left for the older field cultivators. Newer cultivators have enough clearance to handle trash better and are a better option in spring because a disc is more of a compaction style implement.

tomNE · May 6, 2018

disc was invented by road builders to pack roadbeds! old FC's were first used as dump rakes! your choice!

2underage · May 6, 2018

In the past I have just used a disc but I recently purchase a field cultivator to work my crop land. I usually run a big rotary cutter over the corn stalks before I work land so I do not have any issues with them and on soybean stubble I disc once and plant my corn. My neighbors have been using a field cultivator for a few years and they have had good results.

teddy52food · May 6, 2018

If the ground is rocky, the cultivator will bring them up whereas the disk will push them down.

jon f mn · May 6, 2018

I agree with most here, older cultivator just can't handle corn stalks well. If it's real old even after a pass with a disc they will plug. Cultivator will level better, but will also pull up rocks if you have them. You can pull a narrow behind a disc to help level too.

Dick L · May 6, 2018

I haven't farmed my farm in 20 years and every thing has changed in that time. However I still plowed and disc the ground once over, worked the dead furrows, then used the Glenco field cultivator. Being of old school for looks I finished with a spring tooth corner ways.

the tractor vet · May 6, 2018

Unless you chop the stocks in the fall or you use a disc style chisel that cuts the stocks and that covers them somewhat so they decay over winter the older three bar field cultivators are nothing more then a DUMP rake and will help you learn new words . The newer four and five bar ones that have higher clearance and more open spaces that can flow the trash work far better , Then unless you have the bucks to buy new or the horse power to pull what one can find used on the newer four and five bar stiles . Then just how many PBA of rocks does your ground make per year .And how much time do you have to spare to clear the ground of ROCKS . I know that we have spent lots of hours picking stones and rocks . Then when you think you have a good handle on the rock issue and now want to address the compaction issue and you get a deep tillage tool and explore the nether world down deep you find all the aunt's, uncles and and all there cousins that were lerking down below and you now have found all them plow trippers and brought them up to see the light of day .

paul · May 6, 2018

Disk works well in laomy Sandy soils.

Field cultivator works well in clay soils, a disk compacts those.

Hardly never see a disk around here any more.

Takes a newer field cultivator to handle corn stalk trash, even after chisel plowing them in the fall.

Paul

J. Schwiebert · May 6, 2018

Plant no till!

showcrop · May 6, 2018

(quoted from post at 06:18:56 05/06/18) disc was invented by road builders to pack roadbeds! old FC's were first used as dump rakes! your choice!

Tom, you should consider correcting the rest of the world about this. Maybe you could start with wikipedia.

Disc vs. field cultivator

valleview

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Ray IN

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hydro70guy

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tomNE

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2underage

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teddy52food

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jon f mn

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Dick L

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the tractor vet

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paul

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J. Schwiebert

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showcrop

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