restoring a disk harrow

[GoodOlBoy]

Anybody have any experience restoring a notched disk disk harrow? I have my great grandfathers 1930s international harvester disk harrow. There is a 8-10" diameter pine tree grown up through the frame that I am going to have to cut down then burn out to move it. The disks themselves are apparently the originals, and as far as I know the thing hasn't had maintenence since I was born. Still when I parked it where it is 7 years ago we had just used it and it worked like a champ. I need a larger project for good weather around the house and I need to restore this thing anyway.

GoodOlBoy

[Okie Hog]

i've got two very old disks that are used for game plots at our places. All i do is keep the boxings greased. Some old disks have grease cups instead of grease fittings: Those whould be replaced with grease fittings.

[Rapier]

GOB,
If you cut that tree right, you should be able to 3 pt hook up to the disk and raise it up enough to drive off. First cut the tree off at the top of the frame, 3 pt hook up the disk, raise them up as high as you can, block disk up, then cut under the disk, the disk set should be free of the stump. If you have a front end loader on the tractor just chain up the disk and lift off the stump after the first cut. I would not burn the stump with the disk in place as you will do more damage than you can fix in a month of Sundays.

Oh, if the tree has grown up between the blades and is stuck, before you try to raise the disk, take the chain saw and plunge cut the stump down the center from the top. This will allow the sides of the stump to flex inward and set the blades free when you lift the disk.

I think once you get it free of the tree, you will find that it still works. A set of disks is a very tough piece of equipment and as long as the disks turn on their axles, even if you must run them to get them to turn, greese her up and go to town. Seven years is not a back breaker for a set of disks. Up near my farm I see old sets of disks used all around the place, all have a very old 100% "brown patina."

If you need pieces and parts try Tractor Supply or go to Tractorbynet.com their forum is full of guys with tractors, tractor problems and suppliers resources.
Best,
Ed

[Adam Helmer]

GOB,

Sounds like a fun project. What for tractor are you using?

Adam

[GoodOlBoy]

Hafta look up the model when I get back to the house, nothing too old, an early 90s model.

GoodOlBoy

[skeet]

That ol disk sure ain't onea them 3 point hitch types. Sounds to me like a pull type..Gonna hafta cut that ol tree right at the ground..LOL I have one of them out in the field. Older thatn me too. An no..I ain't tellin how old I is..My wife might not like it..she's older'n me!!! Dang cradle robber...

[GoodOlBoy]

yep it is a pull type, and I have used it alot of years to disk with. I just gotta get it broke free, looks like the plants I already have are probably gonna go in flowerbeds and thats it this year, its just too dang late to be trying to tear up a garden I should had done two months ago.

Oh well at least I have time to fix up the old disk before next year.

GoodOlBoy

[DON WALKUP]

if you have a 3pt on your current tractor, use it to lift the harrow with with a chain then block it up like was suggested earlier.

if you have a front loader, use that to lift it with...

[GoodOlBoy]

Unfortunantly my 3 point on my tractor won't lift it. My great grandfather (the original owner) was a welder, and a carpenter (among other things) so he welded a couple of large box frames to the top of it and then topped them off with scrap iron and iron ore rock. The whole thing probably weighs more than my wifes car. I don't have a front end loader, but I do have a cousin who does, thanks for the suggestion, might see if I can't talk him into pulling it off for me.

GoodOlBoy