HARROWS

The purpose of the harrow is simply to break up the surface of the soil and prepare the seed bed. This is, of course, a different operation from that of the deeper tillage of the plough. Harrowing therefore often takes place after ploughing in order to create a finer tilth and smooth out the rough surface. This can break up clods and can also remove weeds. Harrowing is also used to cover seeds after they have been sown.

Harrows come in a number of different configurations, including tine harrows, chain harrows, disc harrows and chain disc harrows. The implements were initially pulled by animals such as mules, horses and oxen. In some cases, they were pulled by farm labourers. Today they are almost exclusively mounted on tractors, either by three-point hitch or trailed on a drawbar.The most commonly used harrows are disc harrows, tine harrows and spring tines harrows. Chain harrows can be used for light duties such as tilth levelling or seed covering. Disc harrows, on the other hand, are more often used for heavier jobs such as breaking up the sod after ploughing.

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