Smooth or toothed cultivation discs? What kind to choose for certain field work?

Smooth cultivation discs are better because they leave an almost perfectly even surface on the field? Or is it exactly the opposite: it is the toothed discs that perform better, because they allow to loosen even heavy soil full of stones? There are no clear answers when it comes to choosing a cultivation plate. Whether it makes sense to use a smooth or toothed plate depends on, among other things. From the type of soil and the nature of the work to be performed. Find out what to choose to achieve the effect you want.

What to follow when choosing a cultivation plate?

Proper selection of a cultivation disc is not just a matter of the right diameter. Whether a smooth or toothed plate is better also depends on other factors:

• type of soil – compacted and heavy or light;
• the type of equipment – you can use the appropriate types of tillage discs not only in a disc harrow, but also in a cultivator or compact harrow;
• the effect you want to achieve – such as pre-levelling the field surface after plowing or harvesting, or loosening deeper soil layers.

In addition to the shape of the plate itself, pay attention to its degree of recess. The more curved the cultivation disc, the more soil it can scoop. The consequences of using a disc with a large cavity are slower work, faster wear and tear of the disc itself as well as other machine components, such as hubs, and greater fuel burn.

It is worth spending a little more time on choosing the right cultivation plate. This brings results – a properly selected disc for the type of soil and work being done means better preparation of the soil for sowing. And this translates into a number of benefits, including a more abundant crop and greater profit.

Under what conditions do smooth cultivation discs work best?

If you want to do field work in an area where the soil is light and easy to loosen, choose a smooth tillage disc. You can use it, among other things. When preparing the ground for sowing after plowing or for leveling it after harvesting. The smooth disc will leave a smooth, properly hardened surface. However, it should be remembered that a harrow equipped with such a disc will loosen the soil at a relatively shallow depth.

When is it better to choose toothed cultivation discs?

Toothed discs penetrate deeper and harder into the soil than smooth discs. For this reason, they are most often used on compact, heavy soils – including where it is necessary to cut plant roots or break up clods of earth. A well-diameter-selected tined disc in a harrow of sufficient weight is capable of loosening deeper layers of soil.

What discs for a disc harrow, and what discs for a compactor or disc unit?

Smooth and toothed tillage discs are primarily associated with disc harrows, but the possibilities for their use do not end with these machines at all. You will also use them in compact harrows and cultivating units. With these machines, does the choice between serrated and smooth discs also make a difference?

Definitely yes! The type of agricultural machine is an important criterion when it comes to buying a tillage disc. When it comes to disc harrows, it’s all about what kind of machine you’re dealing with: a harrow for harvesting, tilling or cultivating. If you intend to use a harrow, such as for ripping stubble at a shallow depth, you can choose smooth or small-toothed discs. If you use the machine for such purposes as destroying catch crops or preparing soil for sowing, it is better to bet on toothed discs.

Compact harrows, so-called. compact harrows, differ from disc harrows not only in size, but also in the arrangement of the discs. In this case, you don’t have to choose – the machine includes both toothed plates (in the first row) and smooth plates (at the back). As a result, the compact harrow can crush and loosen the soil and level the surface at the same time.

Discs are also used in cultivators or cultivating units. Their type depends on what work the machine will be doing. Toothed discs can be used, for example, after harvesting, to mix crop residues into the soil, and smooth discs – to smooth the soil surface before sowing.

Gear discs or smooth discs: is there a universal solution?

Wondering if you can opt for only one type of growing plates? If you are concerned about reducing costs, the best choice is to purchase toothed plates. They are more widely used than smooth plates. The toothed disc can easily handle heavy, difficult-to-till soil, but will also perform well in easier conditions – where its smooth counterpart is used as standard.

Do you already know which discs to choose for a disc harrow, compactor or cultivator ? When you want your field work to go quickly and smoothly, also pay attention to the degree of depression of the disc when buying. Among Exparto’s products, you will easily find the ones that will give you the result you want – efficient work, the right loosening depth or optimal performance. Explore our range of cultivation plates!