Tube Disc Plough Guide: Why Farmers Choose a Round Tube Disc Plough for Tough Soil

A tube disc plough is a tractor-mounted disc plough built on a strong round steel tube frame. It is made for the hardest jobs in primary tillage: breaking virgin land, ploughing dry and heavy clay, and working fields full of roots, stones and crop residue.

In this guide, we explain how a tubular disc plough works, why the round tube frame matters, how it compares with a mouldboard plough, and how to choose the right number of discs for your tractor.

What Is a Tube Disc Plough?

A disc plough uses large, concave steel discs instead of fixed shares to cut and turn the soil. A round tube disc plough (also called a tubular disc plough or Baldan-type disc plough) uses a heavy round tube as its main beam instead of a flat or square steel frame.

Each disc is mounted on its own standard with a sealed bearing hub. As the tractor moves forward, the discs roll, cut into the ground and lift and turn the soil to one side. A rear furrow wheel balances the side force and keeps the plough running straight.

How Does a Disc Plough Work?

1. The plough attaches to the tractor’s three-point linkage.
2. The discs are set at an angle to the direction of travel (disc angle) and tilted back (tilt angle).
3. As the tractor pulls forward, the discs rotate and slice into the soil.
4. The concave shape lifts and inverts the soil, burying weeds and residue.
5. When a disc hits a stone or root, it rolls over it instead of breaking, which protects the plough.

Adjusting the disc angle and the top link changes working depth and width, so one plough can handle different soil conditions.

Why a Round Tube Frame?

• Higher strength-to-weight ratio: a round tube resists bending and twisting from all directions, ideal for heavy draft.
• Better penetration in hard ground: the rigid frame keeps the discs at full depth in dry, compacted soil.
• Longer service life: fewer welded joints mean fewer weak points and less cracking.
• Adjustable disc spacing: standards clamp onto the tube, so position and number of discs can be changed.
• Easy to repair: simple structure, standard parts, widely available 26-inch (660 mm) discs.

Key Advantages of a Tube Disc Plough

• Works in stony, rooty and newly cleared land where share ploughs break.
• Does not block in heavy weeds, straw or stubble; the discs cut through residue.
• Handles dry, hard and sticky clay soils well.
• Low maintenance: sealed bearings and hardened boron steel discs.
• Deep ploughing of about 25–30 cm for better water infiltration and root growth.

Disc Plough vs Mouldboard Plough

Feature	Tube Disc Plough	Mouldboard Plough
Stony or rooty land	Excellent: discs roll over obstacles	Poor: shares and shins break
Hard, dry soil	Good penetration	Harder to penetrate
Sticky clay	Good, less soil build-up	Soil sticks to mouldboard
Heavy residue / weeds	Cuts through, no blocking	May block
Soil inversion	Good	Very complete, cleaner finish
Wear parts	Discs, bearings	Shares, mouldboards, landsides
Best for	New land, tough and mixed soils	Clean, stone-free fields

Our advice: choose a tube disc plough for virgin land, stony fields, or hard and heavy soils. Choose a mouldboard plough for well-worked, stone-free fields where a very clean finish is the priority.

How to Choose the Right Tube Disc Plough

The number of discs should match your tractor’s power. Typical configurations with 660 mm (26″) discs:

Model	Discs	Working Width	Working Depth	Tractor Power
SH-1LYT-325	3	approx. 0.75 m	25–30 cm	60–80 HP
SH-1LYT-425	4	approx. 1.0 m	25–30 cm	80–100 HP
SH-1LYT-525	5	approx. 1.25 m	25–30 cm	100–120 HP
SH-1LYT-625	6	approx. 1.5 m	25–30 cm	120–140 HP

All models: rear three-point mounting, 660 mm boron steel discs, rear furrow wheel. Figures are typical; check the product spec sheet for exact values.

Questions to ask before you buy

• What is your tractor’s horsepower and linkage category (Cat. II or III)?
• Is the land new, stony or full of roots?
• How deep do you need to plough?
• Is your soil light and sandy, or heavy clay?
• Are spare discs and bearings easy to get in your area?

Maintenance Tips

1. Grease disc hubs and furrow wheel before each working day.
2. Check all bolts on standards and clamps after the first hours of use.
3. Inspect discs for cracks and wear; replace when the diameter is clearly reduced.
4. Adjust the furrow wheel so the plough pulls straight without side drift.
5. Clean and oil the discs after the season to prevent rust, and store under cover.

Related guide: our disc harrow size chart shows which harrow to use after ploughing for tractors from 12 to 80 hp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a tube disc plough and a normal disc plough?

The main difference is the frame. A tube disc plough uses a heavy round tube beam, which is stronger and more rigid for heavy draft and hard soils.

What horsepower do I need for a 3 disc plough?

A 3-disc tube plough with 660 mm discs usually needs about 60–80 HP. A 4-disc model needs about 80–100 HP.

Is a disc plow good for rocky soil?

Yes. The discs roll over stones and roots instead of catching on them, which makes a disc plow one of the best choices for rocky land.

How deep can a disc plough go?

Most tube disc ploughs with 660 mm discs plough about 25–30 cm deep, depending on soil and tractor power.

Do I need a harrow after a disc plough?

Usually yes. A disc harrow breaks the clods left after ploughing and prepares a fine seedbed.

Which tractor disc plough suits a 100 HP tractor?

With 100–120 HP, a 5-disc tractor disc plough such as the SH-1LYT-525 is the usual match; with 80–100 HP choose the 4-disc SH-1LYT-425. Heavy clay or very dry soil may need one disc fewer.

Is a round tube disc plough better than a steel plate disc plough?

For heavy draft and hard ground, a round tube disc plough is more rigid and resists twisting. Steel plate disc ploughs are lighter and also come in small 2–3 disc sizes for tractors from about 18 HP. For a full comparison with share ploughs, read our disc plough vs mouldboard plough guide.

See all models on our ploughs page. For background, the FAO explains how the right equipment supports sustainable agricultural mechanization.

Buy Tube Disc Ploughs Direct from the Factory

ShengHang manufactures round tube disc ploughs from 3 to 6 discs, along with disc harrows, harrow discs, tractors and other tillage equipment. We ship worldwide by sea, rail and air from Shandong, China.

Need a quote or help choosing a model? Contact Lucas Xu on WhatsApp +86-13384692372 or email xsh13384692372@gmail.com. Tell us your tractor power and soil type, and we will recommend the right disc plough for your farm.