Disks Stage a Comeback
Nov 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Jodie Wehrspann
NEW AND IMPROVED MODELS
SUNFLOWER
Sunflower's disk harrows feature an increased disc angle of 20° for a more aggressive cut. The manufacturer also has increased the weight of the frame to provide a heavier weight per foot of cut. Included in the series are the 1434 tandem disk, which is 21 to 36 ft., and the 1544 disk harrow in working widths of 42 and 45 ft. designed for large-acreage disking. The disks are available with 22- or 24-in. disc blades with 8¾-in. spacing for enhanced residue coverage and better soil penetration.
Suggested list price: $31,000 to $79,000. Contact AGCO Sunflower, Dept. FIN, 4205 River Green Pkwy., Duluth, GA 30096, visit www.agcocorp.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 214.
JOHN DEERE
Deere has increased the concavity of all its disc blades to make them aggressive on stalks. “We have recognized these stalks are getting harder to manage,” says Yancy Wright, crop system specialist with John Deere. “So on most of our disks we are putting out a higher concavity blade that has more of a cup to make it more aggressive.”
All new John Deere disks will feature a 20° gang angle in front and 18° angle in back. Customers who already have a disk can buy replacement discs with the higher concavity.
Disks range in price from $12,022 for a 11.5-ft.-wide rigid disk to $50,846 for a 35-ft. 4-in.-wide folding disk. Contact your John Deere dealer for sizes and prices, visit www.JohnDeere.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 215.
KRAUSE CORPORATION
Krause introduced its new 8000 series tandem disks this fall, which includes two new models: the 8200, an all-purpose tandem with an average of 195 lbs./blade, and the 8300 primary tillage tandem with an average of 223 lbs./blade for extreme residue conditions.
Krause's Quad-Fold system on its 36- to 38-ft. models creates a transport height of 13 ft. 5 in. A new Hi-Clearance scraper system designed for Bt corn is standard equipment.
Suggested list price for a 34-ft. 8200 model is $47,723. Contact Krause Corp., Dept. FIN, Box 2707, Hutchinson, KS 67504, 800/957-2873, ext. 0, visit www.krauseco.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 216.
GREAT PLAINS
This company introduced two disk harrow lines this year to match farmers' available tractor horsepower. The 3000 narrow center frame and 4000 wide center frame include six models that range in cutting width from 23 to 36 ft. in 3-ft. increments. Both series will run about 180 to 200 lbs./blade, which is about 15 lbs. heavier than many other disks on the market, the company claims. Disc angle is 20° on the front gangs and 18° on the rear. “Your front gangs are working in untouched ground. So they need to be a little more aggressive to do a level job,” Evans says.
Suggested list price: $30,000 to $45,000 on 36-ft. size. Contact Great Plains, Dept. FIN, Box 5060, Salina, KS 67402, 800/255-0132, visit www.greatplainsmfg.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 217.
LANDOLL CORPORATION
Landoll says its new 6230 tandem disk is heavier than most on the market to cut through heavy Bt stalk, putting down about 210 lbs./blade. Disc blade spacing is 8¾ in., which Meir says does a nice job of sizing and leveling. “Some competitors use wider disc spacing for increased weight per blade but sacrifice leveling capabilities and allow more rootball crowns to go through untouched,” he says. Other features include a maintenance-free lift system and pivoting gauge wheels to help control the wings of the disk from gouging.
Suggested list price: $30,000 to $45,000 for 21- to 36-ft. disk. Contact Landoll Corp., Dept. FIN, 1900 N. St., Marysville, KS 66508, 800/428.5655, visit www.landoll.com or www.free productinfo.net/fin, or circle 218.
WIL-RICH LLC
Wil-Rich introduced the 7650 disk harrow this year with improved hydraulics and an optional front-to-rear leveling feature. The series features 24- or 26-in. blades with a weight of approximately 490 to 540 lbs./ft. with 9-in. spacing. Disc angles are set at 20° on the front gang and 18° on the rear. The 7650 series is available in sizes of 18 through 34 ft. in 3-ft. increments. Prices range from $23,500 to $43,000. Circle 219.
Wil-Rich also recently purchased a disk brand known as the Wishek. “These disk harrows are unsurpassed in cutting and mixing soil in either wet or dry conditions,” says Gordy Nyquist, sales manager. Prices for the Wishek are not yet available. Circle 220.
Contact Wil-Rich, Box 1030, Wahpeton, ND 58075, 800/688-3300, or visit www.wil-rich.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin.
CASE IH
Case IH claims its new RMX370 all-purpose tandem disk, with its 24-in.-dia. blades on 9-in. spacing, has the highest weight per blade in its class. It features a true-tandem design with indexed blades for stability of operation and straighter pulling in the field. “The RMX370 has shallow-concavity blades on the front for greater penetration in tough residue and soil conditions, and at higher operating speeds,” says Tim Nix, marketing manager of soil management products. “In addition, when equipped with a rear coil tine or spike harrow, it can handle lots of tough residue and still leave an excellent seedbed.”
Suggested list price: $25,000 to just more than $50,000, depending on sizes and options. Contact your Case IH dealer, visit www.caseih.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 221.
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