How to Adjust a Disc Plough: 6 Steps for an Even Furrow

A disc plough that is badly set up pulls to one side, leaves uneven furrows, rides out of the ground or wears discs and bearings fast. A few simple disc plough adjustment steps – hitch height, levelling, scrapers and the rear furrow wheel – solve almost all of these problems. This guide walks through how to adjust a disc plough step by step, using a three-disc mounted plough as the example.

1. Hitch the Tractor Disc Plough Correctly

Attach the lower links to the headstock pins and the top link to the upper mast. Most disc ploughs offer several holes on the headstock so you can match the hitch to different tractors.

• Use the lower hitch holes for smaller tractors or when the plough tends to ride out of the ground.
• Use the upper holes when the plough digs in too hard or the front wheels of the tractor go light.
• Fit the check chains or stabilisers loosely so the plough can follow the ground but does not swing into the rear tyres.

2. Level the Plough (Disc Plough Setup)

Lower the plough into work on a short test strip, then stop and look from behind:

• Side to side: with the right tractor wheel running in the furrow, the tractor leans. Adjust the right lift-arm leveller until the plough beam is level, so the front and rear discs cut to the same depth.
• Front to back: adjust the top link. If the front disc cuts deeper than the rear one, lengthen the top link; if the rear disc cuts deeper, shorten it.

3. Set the Front Furrow Width

The first disc must cut the same width as the others. If it cuts too narrow, a ridge of unploughed soil is left between passes; too wide, and the tractor works harder and leaves an open gap. Move the cross shaft or adjust the lower links sideways until every disc takes an equal slice.

4. Adjust the Scrapers

In sticky or wet soil, soil builds up on the concave face of the disc and stops it turning the furrow. Each disc has a scraper that keeps the face clean. Set it so it sits close to the disc without rubbing hard, and check it again after a few hours of work as the disc wears.

5. Use the Rear Furrow Wheel

The rear furrow wheel runs in the open furrow and takes the side thrust of the discs. If the tractor pulls sideways, increase the angle or down-pressure of the furrow wheel. If the plough will not go deep enough, ease the spring pressure so more weight goes on the discs.

6. Check Disc Angle and Tilt

Many disc ploughs let you change the disc angle (horizontal) and tilt (vertical). A larger angle gives a wider cut and better penetration; a larger tilt helps turn the soil but reduces penetration in hard ground. Start with the factory disc plough setup and change one thing at a time.

Disc Plough Problems: Troubleshooting Table

Problem	Likely cause	What to adjust
Plough pulls tractor sideways	Furrow wheel not taking side load	Increase furrow-wheel angle or spring pressure
Will not go deep enough	Hard ground, worn discs, hitch too high	Lower hitch hole, shorten top link, check disc edges
Uneven depth front to rear	Plough not level fore-aft	Adjust top link length
Ridges between passes	Front disc cutting too narrow	Correct front furrow width
Soil sticks to discs	Scrapers too far away	Move scrapers closer to discs

Good disc plough adjustment means the equipment uses less fuel and does a better job – a key point in the FAO’s guidance on sustainable agricultural mechanization. For model choice, see our disc plough vs mouldboard plough comparison and the tube disc plough guide.

FAQ: How to Adjust a Disc Plough

Why does my disc plough pull to one side?

The rear furrow wheel is not taking enough side load, or the front furrow width is wrong. Adjust the furrow wheel first.

How do I make a disc plough go deeper?

Use a lower hitch hole, shorten the top link slightly, reduce furrow-wheel pressure and check that the disc edges are sharp.

How often should I adjust the scrapers?

Check them daily in sticky soil and whenever the discs are replaced.

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