Paddy Field Plough Guide: How PTO-Driven Disc Ploughs Work in Rice Fields

A paddy field plough has to do what a normal trailed plough cannot: cut and turn wet, sticky rice soil without the tractor sinking or slipping. If you farm rice, or sell to rice growers, choosing the wrong plough means bogged tractors, shallow work and weeds coming back before transplanting. This guide explains how a PTO driven disc plough works in wet land, compares our seven models, and shows how to match one to your tractor.

How a Paddy Field Plough Works

On a standard disc or mouldboard plough, the tractor pulls the implement through the soil, so all the work depends on traction. In a flooded or freshly drained rice field, traction is exactly what you lack: the wheels slip, the tractor digs itself in and the plough rides up.

Our paddy field plough solves this by driving the discs. All the discs sit on one shaft that is turned by the tractor PTO through a gearbox. Because the rotating discs cut and throw the soil themselves, the tractor needs far less pulling force. The result is a clean, even cut in wet and heavy soil, with straw and weeds turned under.

Key points of the design, taken from our ploughs range:

• Standard three-point mounting.
• 3 to 9 discs of 560 mm diameter.
• Working depth 200–240 mm.
• PTO input 540 or 720 r/min, disc shaft speed 90–120 r/min.
• Models for tractors from 15 to 90 HP.

Paddy Field Plough Models Compared

Model	Discs	Disc diameter (mm)	Working width (m)	Working depth (mm)	Tractor power (HP)	Weight (kg)
1SH-320	3	560	0.66	200–240	15–18	210
1SH-420	4	560	0.88	200–240	18–22	240
1SH-522	5	560	1.10	200–240	25–40	276
1SH-622	6	560	1.32	200–240	40–50	321
1SH-722	7	560	1.54	200–240	50–60	357
1SH-822	8	560	1.76	200–240	60–80	393
1SH-922	9	560	1.98	200–240	80–90	430

All models run at 540/720 r/min PTO input with a disc shaft speed of 90–120 r/min.

How to Choose the Right Size for Your Tractor

Start with tractor power, then check your field size and soil:

• 15–22 HP tractors: the 3-disc 1SH-320 or 4-disc 1SH-420. Light enough for small four-wheel tractors on terraced or small plots.
• 25–50 HP tractors: the 1SH-522 or 1SH-622, the most popular sizes for family rice farms and contractors with mid-size tractors.
• 50–90 HP tractors: the 1SH-722, 1SH-822 or 1SH-922 for wider cuts and larger fields.

In very heavy clay or deep mud, choose the lower end of the power range for each model, or step down one size, so the tractor is not overloaded. Our 4WD tractors give extra grip in wet fields, and the selection assistant helps you pair tractor and implement.

Rice Field Plough vs Rotary Tiller vs Ordinary Disc Plough

Rice growers usually compare three machines:

• Rice field plough (driven disc): turns the soil and buries straw and weeds, with low draft in wet land. Best for primary tillage after harvest or before flooding.
• Rotary tiller: mixes and breaks the topsoil finely. It works well for seedbed preparation and puddling but does not invert the soil as deeply.
• Trailed disc plough: good in dry upland fields, but in wet paddy it depends on traction the tractor often cannot deliver. See our disc plough vs mouldboard plough comparison for dry-land choices.

Many rice farms use the driven disc plough first and then a rotary tiller to finish the seedbed.

Setup and Field Tips

• Check PTO speed. Set the tractor to the 540 or 720 r/min position that matches the gearbox, and fit a PTO shaft of the correct length.
• Level the plough. Adjust the top link and lift arms so the disc shaft runs level across the width.
• Start slowly. Engage the PTO with the discs just above the ground, then lower gradually to the working depth of 200–240 mm.
• Do not reverse with the discs in the soil. Lift the plough before backing up or turning sharply.
• Work at the right moisture. Soil that is drained but still soft usually turns best; standing deep water hides stumps and makes depth hard to control.

Maintenance and Spare Parts

Driven ploughs work in water and mud, so daily care matters. Check the gearbox oil level before work and after the first days of use. Grease the bearings and PTO shaft joints every day. Wash mud from the frame and disc shaft after work so it does not dry hard around bearings and seals. Check disc bolts regularly and replace worn discs as a set so the cut stays even. We supply 560 mm discs and other spares, and you can add a set to your order.

Why Buy Direct from the Factory

Every paddy field plough in this guide is built in our factory in China and sold direct, with SH labelling or OEM options for dealers. Machines are export packed and shipped by sea, rail or air – see export and shipping. Better tillage in rice systems is part of sustainable agricultural mechanization, saving labour and time between crops.

FAQ

What size paddy plow do I need for a 50 HP tractor?

For about 50 HP, the 6-disc 1SH-622 (40–50 HP) or the 7-disc 1SH-722 (50–60 HP) fits well. In heavy, sticky soil choose the 1SH-622.

How deep does a PTO driven disc plough work?

Our models work 200–240 mm deep with 560 mm discs, which is enough to bury rice straw and weeds before the next crop.

Can a rice field plough be used in dry land?

Yes. A driven disc plough also works in dry and hard soil, because the rotating discs cut into the ground instead of relying only on pulling force.

Is a paddy field plough the same as a puddler?

No. The plough turns and buries soil and residue; puddling, usually done with a rotary tiller or cage wheels, churns the wet topsoil to seal the field before transplanting.

Get a Quote

Send us the model (for example 1SH-622), quantity, your tractor HP and PTO speed, and your destination port. Message us on WhatsApp +86 133 8469 2372 or see all models on our ploughs page.