one way disk vs tandem disk

[RonaldrS]

I have 8n tractor and I'm going to be buying disk for it soon. However I was wondering; What the advantages and disadvantages are of a one way disk and tandem disk? Which is better?

Thanks

 

[keh]

The one way disk,AKA a bush and bog harrow, usually has wider spacing between the disks, 10 or 11 inches, than the double section disks and will cut into the ground deeper. Since the harrow only cuts one way the dirt is thrown in one direction, so on the next pass the tractor moves over and recuts half of the cutting width, turning half of the first pass over again. This is repeated for successive passes. A double section 3ph smoothing harrow of the type that an 8n can pull will only scratch the kind of ground we have here in Western SC. When 8ns were new the idea was to plow with a 2 disk plow or a 7 or 9 shank scarifier plow and then use the smoothing harrow. A full size pull behind Taylor-way or Athens 8 disk bush and bog harrow with 11 1/2 inch spacing and heavy 23 inch disks was a good load for a Farmall M, at least that was what the neighbor used.

KEH

 

[Kelly MT]

I have a JD PK 14 foot offset disc harrow. It's a one way type and I use it to work newly plowed ground. I cut full width every pass. The inner disk cuts a furrow and on the next pass the outer disc fills it. It's a great tool for working down plowed ground. A tandem disc is nice for secondary work or stubble. I've never had good luck in sod with one.
Having one of each would be nice. An 8N would fit a 6' tool wider might be a bit much. PK

 

[Bret4207]

If you're talking about an offset disc, good uck finding one an 8n can pull in any soil. If you mean a single gang vs a tandem disc, a single gang/one way disc is a waste of time. For an 8n you won't want to go over 6 foot wide with a tandem disc.

 

[chuck bolton]

the response here really depends on if Ron is infact talking about a "one-way" disk or a single gang disk-- a one way to me is used in wheat ground and throws all the dirt oneway-- the entire gang is at an angle to the tractor-- (like a hay rake) i single gang disk operates like a previous poster-- i have no personal experience with a one way disk- but cant see much advantage-- you dont work the ground but once and then have to go over the ground again--id do it in a different direction to the first pass.

 

[Tx Jim]

Chuck,
A one way disk aka disk tiller will actually till the soil as well or better that a tandem disk(not including a plowing tandem) in a single pass. If set properly a disk tiller will penetrate deeper because original blade size is larger(24-26 inches in dia.). Bad thing about disk tiller is one can only plow in a CCW direction and field will have water furrow in center. Also years of continued disk tiller plowing makes one's fences get shorter from soil thrown towards outside of field. Back in the 50's-70's many JD Surflex tillers were sold and used in Texas. Now no farmer uses a disk tiller here.

 

[greenbeanman in Kansas]

Terminology is key to the correct answer for this question as many have indicated.

3 point one-ways were made and would work well on the old Ford.