Disc harrow?

[Bareback]

You’re opening a can of worms you may regret. Aside from all the implements you will need, it’s going to be a lot of work for a 26hp tractor. I just finished a 5 acre project that took three years using a 30 hp tractor. The smaller tractors have a hard time cutting the ground do to size. It’s also tough to move dirt in volume with the small tractors, it needs to be pretty dry.

I’d start by rolling the sod over (this fall). Next summer it should be decomposed enough so as it’s not to clumpy. When the soil is dry enough you can start moving dirt. I used a 6 ft box scraper. On the back of it I welded a receiver so I could put a ball on it for towing.  I ended up making a lawn roller out of a 300 gallon propane tank (2700 lbs when filled with water). When I would scrape I would roll at the same time. It did two things, compact soil and push rocks in the ground. After moving dirt I would drag it to smooth it out. I ended up making a six foot wide drag out of some large I beam.  I rolled it after that too.

Don’t have to much fun.

[Angry Perch]

You’re opening a can of worms you may regret. Aside from all the implements you will need, it’s going to be a lot of work for a 26hp tractor. I just finished a 5 acre project that took three years using a 30 hp tractor. The smaller tractors have a hard time cutting the ground do to size. It’s also tough to move dirt in volume with the small tractors, it needs to be pretty dry.

I’d start by rolling the sod over (this fall). Next summer it should be decomposed enough so as it’s not to clumpy. When the soil is dry enough you can start moving dirt. I used a 6 ft box scraper. On the back of it I welded a receiver so I could put a ball on it for towing.  I ended up making a lawn roller out of a 300 gallon propane tank (2700 lbs when filled with water). When I would scrape I would roll at the same time. It did two things, compact soil and push rocks in the ground. After moving dirt I would drag it to smooth it out. I ended up making a six foot wide drag out of some large I beam.  I rolled it after that too.

Don’t have to much fun.

So you're saying I need lots of tools and a new tractor?
God I love this forum!!! 

Also, to clarify, I don't intend to cultivate the entire field. For now I want to focus on the edges where the field meets the wind break on the west side, and a wild rose and service berry thicket on the north end.

[NRA4LIFE]

A couple racks of High Life and you're good to go.

[Angry Perch]

A couple racks of High Life and you're good to go.

We clearly speak the same language.

[KFhunter]

I like to turn sod in the fall  (plow) then disk in the spring. 


let winter work for you

[jrebel]

I like to turn sod in the fall  (plow) then disk in the spring. 


let winter work for you

 

Also….don’t over think it!!  It really isn’t that hard and it becomes a labor of love. 

[Ridgeratt]

I like to turn sod in the fall  (plow) then disk in the spring. 


let winter work for you

 

Also….don’t over think it!!  It really isn’t that hard and it becomes a labor of love.

Ah a little diesel therapy as my wife calls it.

[Angry Perch]

I like to turn sod in the fall  (plow) then disk in the spring. 


let winter work for you

I plan to grow winter cover crops like vetch, rye, etc.

[Hillbilly Zen]

After breaking acres of new ground in Central Texas with 40-50hp equipment I can say without reservation that if I had to break new ground again I would hire it out and save the beating on my tractor and my body for the day to day work and maintenance.  At the very least I would rent a beast of a machine and save days of bouncing around and running over the same rows repeatedly because the tractor was undersized for the soil and scope of work!  But I am many years over the idea of “seat time” as somehow recreational.  My recommendation from one internet stranger to another is find a farmer with a 100hp machine just depreciating in a field and hire that farmer to cut your ground! 

[Angry Perch]

After breaking acres of new ground in Central Texas with 40-50hp equipment I can say without reservation that if I had to break new ground again I would hire it out and save the beating on my tractor and my body for the day to day work and maintenance.  At the very least I would rent a beast of a machine and save days of bouncing around and running over the same rows repeatedly because the tractor was undersized for the soil and scope of work!  But I am many years over the idea of “seat time” as somehow recreational.  My recommendation from one internet stranger to another is find a farmer with a 100hp machine just depreciating in a field and hire that farmer to cut your ground!

That's a different angle. I like it.

[KFhunter]

You’re opening a can of worms you may regret. Aside from all the implements you will need, it’s going to be a lot of work for a 26hp tractor. I just finished a 5 acre project that took three years using a 30 hp tractor. The smaller tractors have a hard time cutting the ground do to size. It’s also tough to move dirt in volume with the small tractors, it needs to be pretty dry.

I’d start by rolling the sod over (this fall). Next summer it should be decomposed enough so as it’s not to clumpy. When the soil is dry enough you can start moving dirt. I used a 6 ft box scraper. On the back of it I welded a receiver so I could put a ball on it for towing.  I ended up making a lawn roller out of a 300 gallon propane tank (2700 lbs when filled with water). When I would scrape I would roll at the same time. It did two things, compact soil and push rocks in the ground. After moving dirt I would drag it to smooth it out. I ended up making a six foot wide drag out of some large I beam.  I rolled it after that too.

Don’t have to much fun.

I did 80+ ac with a Kubota L305DT

lotta hours on that little tractor, 30 engine hp about 28 pto

[KFhunter]

I like to turn sod in the fall  (plow) then disk in the spring. 


let winter work for you

I plan to grow winter cover crops like vetch, rye, etc.

If you want to grow this winter ouch!

I was talking about the 1st year, not every year

[Boss .300 winmag]

I like to turn sod in the fall  (plow) then disk in the spring. 


let winter work for you

I plan to grow winter cover crops like vetch, rye, etc.

If you want to grow this winter ouch!

I was talking about the 1st year, not every year

I threw rye grass seed on no tilled dirt last November covering it with straw, it grew quite well.

I just got threw seeding a different area with the same seed a couple weeks ago and have grass that’s 2-3 “ high already not tilled.

West side is different for germination. As long as it doesn’t get really cold here and the grass gets some roots with growth you’ll be fine.

[KFhunter]

If its not a real big plot you can cover it with tarps too

[Angry Perch]

I like to turn sod in the fall  (plow) then disk in the spring. 


let winter work for you

I plan to grow winter cover crops like vetch, rye, etc.

If you want to grow this winter ouch!

I was talking about the 1st year, not every year

I know it's a long game. But that won't keep me from throwing some seeds in the ground.