Medium Disc Harrow Guide: Sizes for 25–80 HP Tractors

A medium disc harrow sits between a light harrow for seedbed finishing and a heavy offset harrow for breaking new ground. For farms running 25–80 hp tractors it is often the most useful harrow to own: heavy enough to cut stubble and break ploughed clods, yet light enough to lift on a standard three-point linkage. This guide explains what a medium-duty disc harrow does, how to choose the right width from the SH 1SH-M series, and how to set it up for an even, level finish.

What Is a Medium Disc Harrow?

A medium disc harrow has two or more gangs of concave steel discs mounted on a strong frame. The front gangs throw soil outward and the rear gangs throw it back in, so the field is left level. Each disc cuts and turns a thin slice of soil, chopping residue and breaking clods as the tractor moves forward.

The SH medium disc harrows are three-point mounted on a Category II hitch, with 10 to 26 discs of 560 mm diameter, working widths from 1.1 to 2.8 m and a working depth of 140 mm, for tractors from 25 to 80 hp.

Light, Medium or Heavy: Which Do You Need?

• Light disc harrow: for secondary tillage on soil that is already ploughed – breaking small clods and levelling before sowing. See our light disc harrow guide.
• Medium disc harrow: for cutting stubble after harvest, breaking ploughed land and preparing a seedbed in one or two passes on medium soils.
• Heavy disc harrow: for primary tillage on hard, dry or bushy ground, often replacing the plough. See the heavy-duty disc harrow guide.

If one harrow must do most of the work on a mixed farm with a 40–70 hp tractor, the medium class is usually the best compromise.

SH Medium Disc Harrow Sizes

Model	Working width	No. of discs	Weight	Tractor power
1SH-M1.1	1100 mm	10	320 kg	25–30 hp
1SH-M1.3	1300 mm	12	340 kg	30–40 hp
1SH-M1.5	1500 mm	14	360 kg	40 hp
1SH-M1.7	1700 mm	16	420 kg	45 hp
1SH-M2.0	2000 mm	18	465 kg	50–60 hp
1SH-M2.2	2200 mm	20	500 kg	55–60 hp
1SH-M2.4	2400 mm	22	604 kg	65–70 hp
1SH-M2.5	2500 mm	24	660 kg	75 hp
1SH-M2.8	2800 mm	26	700 kg	80 hp

All models use 560 mm discs and work to 140 mm deep.

How to Choose the Right Width

1. Start from tractor power: find your tractor in the table and choose the model in its range. On heavy clay or very dry soil, step down one size.
2. Check lift capacity: a mounted harrow hangs behind the tractor. Make sure the linkage can lift the harrow weight comfortably and add front ballast if the steering goes light.
3. Match the track width: the harrow should be at least as wide as the tractor’s rear wheels so the wheel marks are covered.
4. Think about transport: wider models cover more ground but need more room on farm roads and gates.

Not sure of your tractor class? Our tractor horsepower guide explains how to match implements to power.

Setting Up for a Level Finish

• Level the frame side to side with the lift-arm adjuster, and front to back with the top link, so both gangs cut to the same depth.
• Adjust gang angle: a wider angle cuts more aggressively; a narrower angle gives a smoother, lighter finish.
• Watch for ridges: if a ridge forms in the middle, the front gangs are working deeper than the rear; if a furrow forms, the opposite.
• Keep speed steady at a comfortable working pace; too fast makes the harrow bounce and leaves an uneven surface.
• Grease bearings and check gang bolts daily during the season.

Matching implement size to the tractor is a core idea in the FAO’s guidance on sustainable agricultural mechanization – the right size saves fuel and gets crops planted on time.

FAQ

What size medium disc harrow for a 50 hp tractor?

The 1SH-M2.0 (2000 mm, 18 discs) is matched to 50–60 hp. On heavy soil, the 1SH-M1.7 is a safer choice.

How deep does a medium disc harrow work?

The SH medium disc harrows work to about 140 mm.

Can it replace a plough?

On light and medium soil with little residue, two passes can prepare a seedbed without ploughing. On hard or weedy ground, plough first or use a heavy harrow.

What hitch does it use?

A standard three-point linkage, Category II.

Get a Quote

Send us your tractor HP, soil type and destination port, and we will recommend a size. Compare every harrow on our disc harrows page, or browse replacement harrow discs.