Harrows have been used in Europe since the Middle Ages, and there is evidence of their use in the fertile crescent of the Middle East going back thousands of years.
Read More (Harrows)The purpose of the harrow is simply to break up the surface of the soil and prepare the seed bed. This is, of course, a different operation from that of the deeper tillage of the plough. Harrowing therefore often takes place after ploughing in order to create a finer tilth and smooth out the rough surface. This can break up clods and can also remove weeds. Harrowing is also used to cover seeds after they have been sown. Harrows come in a number of different configurations, including tine harrows, chain harrows, disc harrows and chain disc harrows. The implements were initially pulled by animals such as mules, horses and oxen. In some cases, they were pulled by farm labourers. Today they are almost exclusively mounted on tractors, either by three-point hitch or trailed on a drawbar. In Northern Europe, the most common harrows are disc harrows, tine harrows and spring tines harrows. Chain harrows can be used for light duties such as tilth levelling or seed covering. Disc harrows, on the other hand, are more often used for heavier jobs such as breaking up the sod after ploughing.
In addition to these mounted implements, some manufacturers offer power harrows, where the harrow receives power from the tractor rather than simply using the force of its motion.
Tine harrows are often used to condition the seed bed before any planting takes place. In this operation, small weeds can be removed and soil in the inter-row area is loosened to improve drainage. A chain disc harrow, meanwhile, features chains attached to discs which are then trailed at an angle over the field. Both discs and chains rotate, staying clean while the top surface of the soil is broken up and a smooth seed bed is made ready for planting in a single pass.
Chain harrowing is often used with arable farming or deployed on pastures to spread dung and also to break down any dead material present in the sward. They can also be used on arable land to bring larger clumps of soil to the surface, where they will then be weathered and broken down. The various harrow types can be used on their own, but they are also commonly used in combination to achieve specific soil conditions.
Harrows are available in a number of weights and sizes to suit different needs, but the structure is consistent in being a rigid frame holding the active elements of chains, discs and tines.
There are many manufacturers offering harrows for sale in Ireland. These include Simba, Pettit, Vaderstad, Sumo, Rabewerk, Quivogne, Opico, McConnel, Kverneland, Kongskilde, Knight, Gregoire, Dowdeswell, Parmitter, Quad and Wilder. Care should be taken to ensure that the type of harrow is suitable for the soil type and desired finish on the farm. Harrows can also take a great deal of punishment and the condition of the frame and discs should be examined carefully to ensure that they are in good working order.
We always list an excellent choice of Used Disc Harrows for Sale at Farm & Plant Ireland. From a complex powered harrow to a simple three metre disc harrow – such as the Parmiter Denva, we also list the larger, used folding harrows that make transport across roads and through narrow gateways easier. We list used disc harrows that can cover areas of 6 metre widths in one pass, making light work of the largest of fields. Just make sure that your tractor has sufficient power to operate the larger types of used harrows we have advertised for sale here.