Diskers

Diskers are agricultural implements used for shallow tillage, designed to cut and mix the upper soil layer. They consist of a frame carrying a series of concave metal discs that rotate as the implement is pulled by a tractor. The discs work the soil, break down clods, and mix crop residues to prepare a seedbed and improve soil surface conditions.

Diskers are a form of disk harrow and are available in several configurations. Common designs include two or more gangs of discs mounted on axles, with disc diameters typically ranging from about 20 to 28 inches. Gangs can be rigid or spring-loaded, and some models use offset discs to enhance soil disturbance or residue flow. Depth and aggressiveness are adjusted through gang angle, frame height, and hitch settings, allowing operation at shallow depths for finishing tilage or somewhat deeper passes on tougher residues.

Operation and use involve towing the implement at moderate speeds behind a tractor, usually to a shallow depth of a few inches. Diskers are often used after harvest to incorporate crop residues, break up crusted soils, and disrupt weeds. They can be used as a finishing pass after primary tillage or as a stand-alone tool in conservation tillage systems.

Advantages of diskers include effective residue management, relatively low power requirements compared with moldboard plows, and rapid field coverage. Potential drawbacks include the risk of soil erosion on fragile slopes, possible disturbance of beneficial soil structure if overused, and limited depth control for deeper incorporation of lime or fertilizer.

In many regions, diskers are a common component of farming equipment, serving as a versatile option for surface tillage and residue management.