Heavy Disc Harrow vs Disc Plough: Which Is Better for Your Farm?

Heavy disc harrow vs disc plough is a question many farmers ask when opening new land or working hard, dry soil: can one heavy harrow replace the plough, or do you need both? The answer depends on your soil, residue, tractor power and how deep you need to go – this guide compares the two machines model by model.

How Each Machine Works

A disc plough has 2–6 large discs mounted individually on a frame, each at an angle to the furrow. Each disc cuts a deep slice and throws it to the side, turning it partly over. It is a primary tillage tool: it opens hard land and buries residue at depth.

A heavy disc harrow (offset disc harrow) has two gangs of many 660 mm discs on a heavy offset frame. The gangs cut, lift and mix the top layer rather than inverting it. Because the weight is spread over 20–48 discs instead of a few, it covers ground much faster, chops residue finely and leaves a more level surface. With its hydraulic angle adjustment it can work as primary tillage on many soils and as a heavy secondary pass after the plough on others.

Heavy Disc Harrow Models (1SH-H Series)

Our hydraulic heavy offset harrows use 660 mm discs, work at 180–200 mm and have a maximum working angle of 23°. Data from our disc harrows page:

Model	Working width (m)	No. of discs	Disc diameter (mm)	Ground clearance (mm)	Weight (kg)	Matching power (hp)
1SH-H2.2	2.2	20	660	>160	1250	80
1SH-H2.5	2.5	24	660	>160	1350	80
1SH-H3.0	3.0	28	660	>160	1430	100
1SH-H3.4	3.4	32	660	>160	1550	120
1SH-H4.0	4.0	36	660	>160	1650	120
1SH-H5.3	5.3	48	660	>160	1780	140

Disc Plough Models for the Same Tractors

For comparison, these steel plate disc ploughs from our ploughs page match the same 50–120 hp tractors:

Model	Working width (m)	Working depth (mm)	No. of discs	Disc diameter (mm)	Weight (kg)	Matching power (hp)
1SH-325	0.75	250–300	3	660×6	420	50–70
1SH-425	1.0	250–300	4	660×6	480	80
1SH-525	1.25	250–300	5	660×6	580	≥100
1SH-625	1.5	250–300	6	660×6	700	≥120
1SH-430	1.2	300	4	710×6	580	70–90

Specifications are for reference; customisation is available.

Heavy Disc Harrow vs Disc Plough: Key Differences

• Depth: the disc plough works deeper (250–300 mm in the models above) than the heavy harrow (180–200 mm).
• Width and output: on an 80 hp tractor, the plough cuts about 1.0 m; the heavy harrow covers 2.2–2.5 m, so it works much more area per day.
• Finish: the plough leaves rough, open furrows that usually need a harrow pass; the heavy harrow leaves a flatter surface, often ready for a final light pass and sowing.
• Residue: the plough buries residue deeper; the heavy harrow chops it and mixes it into the topsoil, which speeds decomposition.
• Compaction: repeated harrowing at the same depth can form a hard pan; a plough or subsoiler breaks deeper every few seasons.

Which One Should You Buy?

Choose a heavy offset harrow if you have 80–140 hp, large fields, heavy residue such as sugarcane trash, cotton or corn stalks, and soil that is hard on top but not deeply compacted. Many farms in tropical regions use it as the main tillage tool, with one heavy pass followed by a lighter pass before planting.

Choose a disc plough if you are opening new or grass land, need deeper tillage for root crops, or have a 50–80 hp tractor that cannot pull a heavy harrow at full width. Follow it with a medium or light harrow.

Many farms use both: plough every few years to go deep, and the heavy offset harrow in between seasons to save time and fuel. If compaction is the main problem, add a subsoiler instead of ploughing deeper.

Setup and Field Tips

• On an offset disc harrow, set the hitch so the harrow runs straight behind the tractor without side draft.
• Start with a small gang angle and increase it until clods and residue are broken as you want; more angle means more depth and more power.
• Keep the frame level front to rear so both gangs cut at the same depth.
• On a disc plough, adjust the rear furrow wheel and top link so the plough pulls straight at even depth.
• Avoid working very wet soil with either machine; it smears and compacts.

Maintenance and Spare Parts

Both machines live or die by their bearings and discs. Grease the gang or disc bearings according to the service schedule, check for play before each season, and tighten gang and disc bolts after the first hours of work. Replace discs when the diameter has worn down noticeably. We supply 660 mm and other plain and notched discs plus bearing assemblies – see harrow discs.

Why Buy Direct from the Factory

Shenghang builds heavy, folding, medium and light disc harrows and disc, mouldboard and reversible ploughs in our own factory, with SH labelling, OEM options, export packing and shipping by sea, rail or air – see export and shipping. Read more in our heavy duty disc harrow guide. Fewer, better passes are part of sustainable agricultural mechanization.

Heavy Disc Harrow FAQ

Can a heavy disc harrow replace a plough (plow)?

On many soils, yes for routine seasons. For new land, deep tillage or heavy compaction, plough or subsoil every few years.

What tractor do I need for an offset disc harrow?

Our 1SH-H models are listed for 80 hp (2.2–2.5 m) up to 140 hp (5.3 m).

Disc harrow or plough for sugarcane land?

Heavy offset harrows with 660 mm notched discs are widely used to break cane ratoons and trash; plough when you need to go deeper.

Which is cheaper to run, a disc plough or a heavy disc harrow?

Per hectare, the heavy harrow usually needs fewer hours because it is much wider; the plough may still be needed occasionally for depth.

Get a Quote

Send us the model (for example 1SH-H3.0 or 1SH-425), quantity, your tractor HP and destination port on WhatsApp +86 133 8469 2372. We will reply with a quotation and packing details. See all heavy and folding models on our heavy disc harrow page.