A disk harrow is a tillage tool that uses rows of concave steel blades to cut, lift and mix the soil. Farmers have used them for well over a century to chop up crop stubble, break clods and turn rough ground into a seedbed. You will also see the name spelled “disc harrow”. Both spellings mean the same tool.
A disk harrow looks simple, and that is where the trouble starts. Buy one that is too light and it skates across hard ground. Buy one that is too wide and your tractor cannot pull it. Set it up nose-down and it leaves ridges you will feel for years.
This guide explains how disk harrows work, the main types, what the blade choices mean, how to match one to your tractor or ATV, and how to set it up so it cuts level. You will also find four disk harrows you can buy online, a used-buying checklist and the mistakes that catch most new owners.
Disk harrows at a glance
Weight per blade does the cutting. Angle sets how hard.
Product weights come from the sellers’ listings. Power figures are owner rules of thumb, not maker specs.
Quick answer
A disk harrow cuts and mixes the top few inches of soil. A tandem disk has four gangs in an X shape and suits seedbed work behind compact and utility tractors. An offset disk has two heavy gangs and is built for breaking tough ground. Notched blades cut sod and stubble better, and smooth blades leave a finer finish. Choose by weight per blade and by your tractor’s lift capacity, then set the harrow level front to back before you work.
How we put this guide together
We have not tested these disk harrows. The product details come from Amazon listings, checked in October 2026. The horsepower-per-foot figures are rules of thumb shared by owners and dealers, because we could not find an official sizing chart. We label them clearly. Safety points follow NIOSH guidance on tractor rollovers.
In this guide
- What Is a Disk Harrow?
- Types of Disk Harrows
- Blades: Notched or Smooth, Big or Small
- How Much Tractor Do You Need?
- How to Set Up and Use a Disk Harrow
- Disk Harrow vs Tiller vs Plow
- Four Disk Harrows Worth a Look
- Buying a Used Disk Harrow
- Looking After a Disk Harrow
- Common Disk Harrow Mistakes (and the Fix)
- Pro Tips From Experienced Owners
- Real-Life Scenarios: Which Disk Harrow Fits?
- Disk Harrows: FAQ
- Your Disk Harrow Checklist
What Is a Disk Harrow?
A disk harrow is a frame that carries several gangs. A gang is a row of blades bolted onto one shaft, so they all turn together. Each blade is a shallow steel bowl, sharpened at the edge.
The gangs are set at an angle to the direction of travel. That angle is the whole trick. A blade rolling straight ahead would just slice a line. A blade rolling at an angle slices, then lifts the soil and throws it sideways. The next gang throws it back. The soil is cut, turned and mixed, and plant residue is chopped into it.
In the order of farm work, discing usually comes after plowing and before planting. Farmers call it secondary tillage. A heavy disk can also do the first pass on its own, which is called primary tillage.
The parts of a disk harrow
- Blades, or discs. Concave steel discs, usually 16 to 24 inches across on small and mid-size harrows.
- Gangs. Rows of blades on a shared shaft, called the gang bolt or arbor bolt.
- Spools. Spacers between the blades that set the gap from one blade to the next.
- Bearings. Each gang turns in two or more bearings. Some need grease. Some are sealed.
- Scrapers. Steel fingers that clean soil off the inside of each blade.
- The frame and hitch. Either a three-point mount or a tongue for towing.
Types of Disk Harrows
Tandem disk harrows
A tandem disk has four gangs set in an X shape. The two front gangs throw soil outward. The two rear gangs throw it back toward the middle. Because the soil goes out and comes back, a tandem disk leaves the field fairly level.
This is the type most small-farm and food plot owners want. It is the standard tool for making a seedbed.
Offset disk harrows
An offset disk has two gangs, one behind the other. The front gang throws soil one way and the rear gang throws it back. Offset disks are built much heavier, with bigger blades and wider spacing. They are made for breaking new ground, cutting brush stubble and working orchards and heavy residue.
The trade-off is power. An offset disk needs far more tractor for each foot of width.
Single-action disks
A single-action disk has two gangs that both throw soil outward. It leaves a furrow in the middle. You do not see many today, but old ones turn up at auctions.
Mounted or pull-type
A mounted disk hangs on the tractor’s three-point hitch. You lift it to turn and to travel. It is compact and easy to store, but your hitch has to carry its full weight.
A pull-type disk rides on its own wheels and hooks to the drawbar. Larger harrows are built this way, because the tractor does not have to lift them. Wheels also let you set the working depth.
ATV and UTV disks
These are small disks made for food plots. Some tow behind on their own frame. Others attach to an implement lift on the back of the ATV. They are light, so they work best on ground that has already been broken or is naturally loose.
| Type | Gangs | Best for | Power needed | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tandem | 4, in an X | Seedbeds, gardens, food plots | Moderate | Fairly level |
| Offset | 2, one behind the other | Breaking ground and heavy residue | High | Rougher |
| Single-action | 2, side by side | Light work, older equipment | Low | Leaves a center furrow |
| ATV or UTV disk | 2 to 4 small gangs | Small plots on loose soil | An ATV or UTV | Light, shallow cut |
Blades: Notched or Smooth, Big or Small
Notched blades
Notched blades have scallops cut into the edge. The points bite into hard ground and grab stubble, sod and weeds instead of riding over them. They are the better choice for rough ground and first passes.
Smooth blades
Smooth blades have a plain round edge. They cut less aggressively, but they leave a finer, more even surface. They are common on finishing disks.
Many tandem disks mix the two: notched blades on the front gangs and smooth blades on the rear. The front cuts and the rear finishes.
Blade diameter and spacing
A bigger blade can cut deeper and roll over more trash. Compact three-point disks usually carry 16 to 20 inch blades. Field disks carry 20 to 24 inch blades or larger.
Spacing matters as well. Blades set close together, around 7 to 8 inches apart, give a finer finish. Blades set about 9 inches apart or more cut more aggressively and clog less in heavy residue.
Key insight: a disk cuts because of the weight pressing on each blade. Two harrows of the same width can perform very differently. Divide the weight by the number of blades, or by the width, before you compare them.
How Much Tractor Do You Need?
This is the question every buyer asks, and makers rarely answer it with a simple chart. Soil type, moisture, blade size and working depth all change the answer.
What you will find are rules of thumb from owners and dealers. Treat these as a starting point only.
| Type of disk | Rough power guide | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Mounted tandem disk on a 4WD tractor | About 5 hp per foot of width | 5 ft disk: about 25 hp |
| Pull-type tandem disk | About 6 to 7 hp per foot | 8 ft disk: about 48 to 56 hp |
| Heavy offset disk | About 9 to 10 PTO hp per foot | 8 ft disk: about 72 to 80 hp |
Horsepower is only half of it. Two other limits matter just as much.
Lift capacity
A mounted disk hangs off the back of the tractor. Your three-point hitch has to lift all of it. Compare the weight of the harrow with the lift capacity in your tractor’s manual, and leave a margin. A 555-pound disk on a small sub-compact tractor can make the front wheels go light, which hurts steering.
Hitch category
Three-point hitches come in standard sizes. Most compact tractors use Category 1, which has 7/8-inch lower pins and a 3/4-inch top pin. Small garden tractors may use Category 0, with 5/8-inch pins. Larger utility tractors use Category 2. The implement and the tractor must match, or you need the right bushings.
Tip: traction beats horsepower
A disk is pulled, not driven by the PTO. That means the tires do the work. A heavier tractor with four-wheel drive and good tires will pull a disk that a lighter tractor of the same horsepower cannot. If your tractor spins its wheels, the disk is too big or too deep for it.
For help with tractor classes and hitch basics, see our guide to agricultural machinery.
How to Set Up and Use a Disk Harrow
A disk that is set up well cuts evenly and leaves the ground flat. A disk that is set up badly leaves ridges and furrows. Most problems come from one thing: the harrow is not level.
- Read the manual and check the bolts. Before the first use, check every gang bolt and frame bolt. Loose gang bolts destroy spools and bearings quickly.
- Hitch up on level ground. Fit the lower pins first, then the top link. Secure every pin with a proper lynch pin.
- Level it side to side. Lower the disk until the blades touch. Both sides should touch together. Adjust the tractor’s lift link if they do not.
- Level it front to back. Use the top link. Shorten it to put more weight on the front gangs. Lengthen it to put more on the rear gangs. The frame should run level when the disk is in the ground.
- Set the gang angle. More angle cuts more aggressively. Start with a moderate setting and adjust after a test pass.
- Make a test pass. Drive about 50 feet, stop and look. If there is a ridge in the middle, the rear gangs are cutting too deep. If there is a furrow in the middle, the front gangs are cutting too deep.
- Disc the field. Work at a steady speed. Lift the disk before you turn sharply, because turning with the blades in the ground bends gangs.
- Make a second pass at an angle. Crossing the first pass on a diagonal breaks clods better and evens out the surface.
How fast should you go?
A disk needs some speed to throw the soil. Too slow and it only slices. Too fast and it bounces and throws soil into ridges. A brisk, steady pace of roughly 4 to 6 mph is the range most owners and dealers suggest. Follow your own manual if it gives a speed.
How many passes?
Usually two. The first pass cuts and turns. The second, at an angle, finishes. Sod and hard clay can need three or four. If you need many more than that, the disk is too light for the job, or the ground is too dry and hard.
When not to disc
- When the soil is wet. Wet soil smears and packs into hard lumps. It also clogs the blades. If a handful of soil forms a sticky ball, wait.
- Straight up and down a slope. Loose soil in up-and-down lines washes away in the first heavy rain. Work across the slope where it is safe to do so.
- Over and over at the same depth. Repeated discing at one depth can form a packed layer just below the blades. Vary the depth, and do not disc more than the job needs.
- Before you know what is buried. Call 811 before you dig or till in a new area, so buried lines can be marked.
Disk harrow safety
Disk blades are sharp and heavy. Never work under a raised harrow unless it is solidly blocked. Never let anyone ride on the tractor or the implement. A heavy mounted disk takes weight off the front axle, so add front ballast if the steering feels light. NIOSH reports that tractor overturns are the leading cause of death on American farms, and that a rollover bar used with a seat belt is 99% effective in preventing injury in a rollover. Keep the bar up and buckle the belt.
Disk Harrow vs Tiller vs Plow
A disk is not the only way to work soil. Here is how it compares with the other common choices.
| Tool | How it works | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disk harrow | Angled blades cut and throw soil | Fast, handles residue and rough ground | Needs weight and traction, can leave ridges |
| Rotary tiller | PTO-driven tines chop the soil | Fine seedbed in one pass | Slow, struggles in rocks, needs PTO power |
| Moldboard plow | Turns the soil over completely | Buries sod and residue | Leaves a rough surface that needs discing |
| Chisel plow | Shanks rip the soil without turning it | Breaks compaction, leaves residue on top | Needs high power |
For a garden or a small plot with few rocks, a tiller often gives a nicer finish. For larger areas, rough ground and rocky soil, a disk is faster and tougher.
After discing, the soil is loose and fluffy. For small seed such as clover, most growers then firm the ground with a ridged roller, called a cultipacker, before and after they broadcast seed.
Four Disk Harrows Worth a Look
Each of these fits a different machine. We have not used them. The details are from the sellers’ listings, so check the listing and your tractor’s manual before you order.
Compact tractor pick
Titan Attachments 5 ft Three-Point Disc Harrow, Category 1
A 60-inch tandem disk with 16-inch notched blades for compact tractors. The listing gives its weight as 555 pounds, which works out to about 110 pounds for each foot of width.
- Width60 inches
- Blades16 in, notched, concave
- Weight555 lb
- HitchThree-point, Category 1
- Frame2.5 x 2.5 in steel tubing
- BearingsGreaseable, cast iron caps
- Why it works: it is heavy for its width, and notched blades bite into hard ground and sod.
- Who it is best for: owners of compact tractors who are making food plots, gardens and small fields.
- What it solves: light disks that skate over the surface. Weight is what makes a disk cut.
- Keep in mind: check your tractor’s three-point lift capacity before you order. At 555 pounds it is too heavy for many sub-compact tractors.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details come from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
More width
Titan Attachments 6 ft Three-Point Disc Harrow, Category 1
The 72-inch version of the same harrow. The listing gives its weight as 661 pounds, with the same 16-inch notched blades and the same frame.
- Width72 inches
- Blades16 in, notched, concave
- Weight661 lb
- HitchThree-point, Category 1
- Frame2.5 x 2.5 in steel tubing
- BearingsGreaseable, cast iron caps
- Why it works: an extra foot of width covers the tire tracks of a wider tractor and finishes a field in fewer passes.
- Who it is best for: tractors at the larger end of the compact class with a strong Category 1 hitch.
- What it solves: time. On several acres, a foot of extra width adds up quickly.
- Keep in mind: using the owner rule of thumb of about 5 hp per foot, plan on a tractor of around 30 hp or more with four-wheel drive, and confirm the lift capacity.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details come from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
Sub-compact pick
Impact Implements Three-Point Cat-0 / Cat-1 Disc Plow Harrow
A light 54-inch disk for small tractors. The listing describes eight hardened steel blades and a weight of 185 pounds, and it fits Category 0 or Category 1 hitches.
- Cutting width54 inches
- Blades8, hardened steel
- Weight185 lb
- HitchThree-point, Cat 0 or Cat 1
- Weight per bladeAbout 23 lb
- BrandImpact Implements
- Why it works: it is light enough for the hitch on a garden tractor or a sub-compact tractor.
- Who it is best for: owners of small tractors working garden soil or ground that has been tilled before.
- What it solves: the problem of finding a real three-point disk that a small tractor can lift safely.
- Keep in mind: at about 23 pounds per blade, it will not cut deep into hard, dry ground or thick sod. Plan on several passes, or break new ground another way first.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details come from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
ATV and UTV pick
Camco Black Boar ATV/UTV Disc Harrow Implement (66001)
An eight-blade disk that mounts on the Black Boar motorized implement lift. Each side adjusts on its own, so you can change how hard it cuts.
- Blades8 rotating discs
- Angle0, 15 or 30 degrees each side
- Weight120.8 lb
- FitsBlack Boar Implement Lift
- MaterialPowder-coated steel
- LinkageParallel
- Why it works: the lift raises and lowers the disk from the seat, and the parallel linkage keeps the blades at the right angle.
- Who it is best for: hunters who work small food plots from an ATV or UTV.
- What it solves: reaching plots that a tractor cannot get to.
- Keep in mind: it needs the Black Boar Motorized Implement Lift, Camco part 66000, which is sold separately. At about 15 pounds per blade it suits loose or already-broken soil.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details come from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
A quick comparison
| Model | Width | Weight | Weight per foot | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titan 5 ft | 60 in | 555 lb | About 111 lb | Category 1 tractors |
| Titan 6 ft | 72 in | 661 lb | About 110 lb | Category 1 tractors |
| Impact Implements | 54 in | 185 lb | About 41 lb | Category 0 and 1 tractors |
| Black Boar 66001 | Not stated | 120.8 lb | Not stated | ATV or UTV with Black Boar lift |
Buying a Used Disk Harrow
Old disks are everywhere, and a sound one is a bargain. A worn-out one is a project. Check these points before you pay.
- Measure the blades. Compare the diameter with a new blade of the same model. Badly worn blades are much smaller.
- Look for cracked, bent or missing blades.
- Grab each gang and try to rock it. Play means worn bearings.
- Check that the gang bolts are tight. Loose gangs wear the spools and the shaft.
- Look at the spools for wear and cracks.
- Sight along the frame for bends and old weld repairs.
- Check the scrapers are present and can be adjusted.
- On a pull-type disk, check the tires, the wheel bearings and the hydraulic cylinder.
- Ask whether blades and bearings are still sold for it.
Blades and bearings can be replaced, and for common models the parts are easy to find. A bent frame or a worn gang shaft costs more to fix than most old disks are worth. Our guide to farm tractor salvage yards explains how to track down parts for older implements.
Looking After a Disk Harrow
- Grease the bearings on the schedule in the manual. Some bearings are sealed and need no grease. Know which type you have.
- Check the gang bolts often. This is the most important job. A loose gang wears out fast.
- Adjust the scrapers so they sit close to the blades without rubbing hard.
- Clean the blades after use. Soil left on them holds moisture and causes rust.
- Coat the blades before storage. A thin film of oil or grease keeps them bright, and bright blades shed soil better.
- Store it on boards and under cover if you can. Lower it fully so nobody walks into a raised blade.
- Replace blades as a set on a gang, so they cut evenly.
Setup essential
Complete Tractor Category 1 Top Link (3013-1503)
An adjustable top link for Category 1 three-point hitches. The top link is what levels a mounted disk front to back, so a link that turns freely is worth having.
- Category1
- Body length24 inches
- Adjusts29 to 39 inches overall
- TypeAftermarket replacement
- Warranty1 year
- BrandComplete Tractor
- Why it works: a longer adjustment range lets you level implements of different lengths.
- Who it is best for: owners whose original top link is seized, bent or too short for a new implement.
- What it solves: a disk that runs nose-down or tail-down and leaves ridges.
- Keep in mind: measure your old link and check your pin sizes before you order. It is an aftermarket part, not an original one.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details come from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
Common Disk Harrow Mistakes (and the Fix)
Pro Tips From Experienced Owners
- Add weight the right way. Many frames have a tray or bars for extra weight. Use them as the maker allows, and keep within your hitch rating.
- Overlap each pass slightly. It hides the edge ridge that a tandem disk leaves.
- Cross your passes. A second pass on the diagonal levels better than a second pass in the same tracks.
- Mow first. Tall weeds and grass wrap around gangs. Mow, let it dry, then disc.
- Kill sod ahead of time. Dead sod breaks up far more easily than live sod.
- Watch the middle. A ridge or a furrow in the center of your pass tells you which way to turn the top link.
- Keep a few spare parts. A spare bearing and a couple of lynch pins can save a planting weekend.
Real-Life Scenarios: Which Disk Harrow Fits?
These are typical situations. They are examples to help you choose, not reports from real customers.
🚜 The compact tractor food plotter
You have a 30 horsepower four-wheel-drive tractor with a Category 1 hitch and four acres of plots to work.
A heavy 5 or 6 foot tandem disk with notched blades suits the tractor and cuts in two or three passes.
Pick: 5 ft or 6 ft three-point tandem
🌱 The sub-compact owner
Your small tractor has a limited hitch, and you mostly work a large garden.
A light Category 0 and 1 disk is within your lift capacity. Expect several passes on hard ground.
Pick: light 54-inch disk
🦌 The ATV hunter
Your plots are down a trail that no tractor can reach.
An ATV disk on an implement lift will work loose or sprayed-off ground. Plan more passes, and do not expect it to break hard sod.
Pick: ATV disk with lift
Disk Harrows: FAQ
What is a disk harrow used for?
A disk harrow cuts, lifts and mixes the top few inches of soil. It is used to chop crop residue, break up clods after plowing, control weeds and prepare a seedbed for planting. Heavy offset disks can also break new ground.
What is the difference between a tandem and an offset disk harrow?
A tandem disk has four gangs in an X shape. The front gangs throw soil out and the rear gangs throw it back, which leaves the ground fairly level. An offset disk has two heavy gangs, one behind the other, and is built for tougher primary tillage. It needs much more power.
How much horsepower do I need for a disk harrow?
There is no single official chart. Owners and dealers commonly suggest about 5 horsepower per foot for a mounted tandem disk on a four-wheel-drive tractor, 6 to 7 for a pull-type tandem and 9 to 10 PTO horsepower per foot for a heavy offset disk. Soil, depth and tractor weight all change the answer.
Are notched or smooth disc blades better?
Notched blades cut sod, stubble and hard ground better. Smooth blades leave a finer finish. Many tandem disks use notched blades on the front gangs and smooth blades on the rear to get both.
How deep does a disk harrow cut?
It depends on blade size, weight and soil. As a general guide, a disk works to a depth of about a quarter of its blade diameter in good conditions, so a 16-inch blade works around 4 inches deep. Hard, dry ground reduces that.
Can I use a disk harrow instead of a tiller?
Often, yes. A disk is faster and copes better with rocks and rough ground. A tiller gives a finer seedbed in one pass. For large areas a disk makes sense. For a small garden a tiller is usually easier.
Your Disk Harrow Checklist
- Decide what will pull it: ATV, sub-compact, compact or utility tractor.
- Check the hitch category and the three-point lift capacity in your manual.
- Choose tandem for seedbeds or offset for breaking ground.
- Pick notched blades for sod and stubble.
- Compare weight per blade and weight per foot.
- Check and tighten the gang bolts before first use.
- Level the disk side to side, then front to back.
- Make a test pass and adjust the top link.
- Disc when the soil is dry enough to crumble.
- Make the second pass at an angle to the first.
- Grease the bearings and oil the blades before storage.
The bottom line
The right disk harrow is the heaviest one your tractor can lift and pull with ease. Match it to your hitch, set it level, stay off wet ground, and two passes will give you a seedbed.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Sources: Amazon listings for the Titan Attachments 5 ft and 6 ft disc harrows, the Impact Implements disc plow harrow, the Camco Black Boar disc harrow and the Complete Tractor top link; owner and dealer rules of thumb for power per foot of width; NIOSH publications on tractor overturns and rollover protective structures; long-standing industry conventions for three-point hitch categories. All checked October 2026.
