A disc plough is the backbone of primary tillage in challenging field conditions. Unlike mouldboard ploughs that can snag on roots and stones, disc ploughs use rotating concave discs that roll through tough soil, slice through crop residue, and turn over the top layer ready for seedbed preparation.
Farmers across Africa, South America, and Asia rely on disc ploughs for their durability in hard, dry, and stony ground. But with choices ranging from 2-disc light-duty models to 6-disc heavy-duty ploughs pulling through 30 cm of compacted clay, finding the right match for your tractor and soil type requires understanding a few key specifications.
This guide breaks down disc plough types, sizing, working depth, power requirements, and price so you can make a confident purchase decision.
1. Single-Disc vs Double-Disc Plough: Key Differences
The first decision you will face is between a single-disc and a double-disc (tandem) plough. Each serves a different purpose and suits different soil conditions:
| Feature | Single-Disc Plough | Double-Disc (Tandem) Plough |
|---|---|---|
| Disc arrangement | One row of discs on a single axle | Two rows of discs on separate axles, offset angle |
| Working depth | 15-25 cm | 20-30 cm |
| Soil type best suited | Light to medium, stony, root-filled | Medium to heavy clay, compacted |
| Tractor power needed | 35-80 HP | 60-120 HP |
| Turning quality | Good furrow turning, 70-80% inversion | Excellent furrow turning, 85-95% inversion |
| Residue handling | Moderate — some clogging with heavy trash | Excellent — two rows chop and bury residue |
| Price (4-disc model) | $1,500-$2,500 | $2,500-$4,500 |
| Weight | 250-400 kg | 450-700 kg |
Single-disc ploughs are the more popular choice for small to medium farms. They are lighter, cheaper, and easier to maintain. Double-disc ploughs are for farmers who need deeper penetration, better residue management, and higher throughput on larger acreages.
2. Matching Disc Count and Working Width to Your Tractor
Choosing the right number of discs is critical — too few and you waste tractor capacity, too many and you struggle to reach working depth. Here is the practical sizing guide:
| Tractor Power (HP) | Disc Count | Working Width (cm) | Working Depth (cm) | Recommended Disc Diameter | Estimated Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35-50 HP | 2 | 60-70 | 15-20 | 560-610 mm | 200-280 |
| 50-70 HP | 3 | 90-105 | 18-22 | 610-660 mm | 280-380 |
| 70-90 HP | 4 | 120-140 | 20-25 | 660-710 mm | 380-500 |
| 90-110 HP | 5 | 150-175 | 22-28 | 660-710 mm | 500-650 |
| 110-120 HP | 6 | 180-200 | 25-30 | 710 mm | 650-800 |
A general rule: allow 15-18 HP per disc for single-disc ploughs working at 20-25 cm depth. For double-disc (tandem) ploughs, expect 18-22 HP per disc because the second row adds drag. If you plan to work deeper than 25 cm, add 2-3 HP per disc to compensate for increased soil resistance.
3. Disc Diameter and Concavity — Why Size Matters
The disc is the heart of the plough. Two parameters define how well it performs: diameter and concavity.
Disc diameter determines penetration ability. A 560 mm disc reaches about 15-18 cm working depth. A 710 mm disc can reach 25-30 cm. Larger discs also roll over obstacles more easily and last longer before wearing down. The tradeoff is weight and cost — a 710 mm disc costs roughly 40% more than a 560 mm disc.
Disc concavity (the depth of the bowl shape) controls how aggressively the disc turns soil. Standard concavity (4-5 cm deep) gives good furrow turning for most conditions. Deep concavity (6-8 cm) increases soil inversion for heavy residue or sod ground but requires more draft power. Shallow concavity (3-4 cm) is ideal for light sandy soils where deep turning would bring up infertile subsoil.
Most disc ploughs on the market use 660 mm (26-inch) discs with standard concavity as the default option. This size offers the best balance of penetration, soil turning, and tractor power efficiency across a range of soil types.
4. Price Breakdown by Disc Count and Type
Disc plough prices vary significantly by disc count, frame construction, disc material thickness, and whether the plough is a single or tandem design. Here is a realistic market overview:
- 2-disc single plough (35-50 HP) — $800-$1,300. Entry-level for small farms and light soils. Usually comes with 560 mm discs and a basic A-frame hitch.
- 3-disc single plough (50-70 HP) — $1,200-$2,000. The most popular size for mixed farms. Typically with 610-660 mm discs and adjustable furrow width.
- 4-disc single plough (70-90 HP) — $1,800-$3,000. Heavy-duty frame, 660 mm discs standard. Suitable for primary tillage on medium to large farms.
- 5-6 disc single plough (90-120 HP) — $3,000-$5,000. Wide working width for broadacre farming. Often includes hydraulic lift and depth control.
- 4-disc tandem plough (70-100 HP) — $2,800-$4,500. More expensive but offers better residue management and deeper working depth.
FOYA Machinery offers a full range of disc ploughs from 2-disc to 6-disc models at factory-direct prices. Our standard 3-disc single plough is priced at $1,450, and the 4-disc heavy-duty model at $2,380 — both with 660 mm heat-treated discs for extended wear life.
5. Five Common Disc Plough Mistakes
- Wrong disc angle adjustment: Disc angle (the horizontal angle between the disc face and the direction of travel) controls how aggressively the disc turns soil. Standard is 42-45 degrees. Setting it too steep (>50 degrees) increases draft by 25% and causes excessive wear on disc bearings. Too shallow (<35 degrees) and the disc fails to turn soil properly.
- Ignoring disc sharpness: A dull disc edge requires 15-20% more tractor power to penetrate and produces ragged furrows. Discs should be sharpened or replaced when the edge becomes rounded beyond 2-3 mm. Some farmers grind the edge every 100-150 working hours.
- Overloading the tractor: Adding extra discs beyond what your tractor can handle is the most common upgrade mistake. A 50 HP tractor pulling a 3-disc plough at 20 cm depth uses about 90% of available power. Adding a 4th disc without upgrading the tractor means you can only work at 12-15 cm depth — shallow and ineffective.
- Poor transport safety: Disc ploughs wider than 2 meters need proper transport locks and safety chains. A 4-disc plough swinging on a public road has caused many accidents. Always engage the transport lock and use a safety chain on the drawbar.
- Neglecting bearing maintenance: Disc plough discs run on sealed or greasable bearings. Greasable bearings need greasing every 8-10 working hours. A seized bearing mid-ploughing means down time, a damaged disc axle, and potentially a snapped shear bolt. Check bearings at the start of each ploughing season.
6. Disc Plough vs Mouldboard Plough — Which Should You Choose?
The age-old debate: disc or mouldboard for primary tillage? Here is the short version:
- Choose a disc plough if: Your soil is hard, dry, stony, or root-filled. You farm in semi-arid regions where soil moisture is low at ploughing time. You need to handle heavy crop residue without clogging. Your tractor has moderate power (35-90 HP is ideal for most disc models).
- Choose a mouldboard plough if: Your soil is clean, stone-free, and has good moisture. You need the cleanest possible furrow inversion for buried weed seeds. You operate in temperate climates with consistent soil conditions. You have higher tractor power available (80+ HP for multi-bottom mouldboards).
For most small to medium farms in developing regions, the disc plough is the more practical choice — it handles more variable conditions, requires less maintenance, and costs less to operate over the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a disc plough and a mouldboard plough?
A disc plough uses rotating concave discs that roll over obstacles, making it ideal for hard, dry, or stony ground. Mouldboard ploughs cut cleaner furrows but require more power and cannot handle root-filled soil as well. Discs also handle crop residue better without clogging.
How many discs do I need on my disc plough?
For 35-50 HP: 2 discs. For 50-70 HP: 3 discs (90-105 cm width). For 70-90 HP: 4 discs (120-140 cm). For 90-120 HP: 5-6 discs (150-200 cm). General rule: 15-18 HP per disc for standard work at 20-25 cm depth.
How much does a disc plough cost?
Small 2-disc ploughs: $800-$1,300. Medium 3-4 disc models: $1,200-$3,000. Large 5-6 disc ploughs: $3,000-$6,000. Double-disc (tandem) models cost 40-60% more than single-disc equivalents.
What disc diameter should I choose?
560 mm for light soils and shallow work (15-20 cm), 610-660 mm for general use (18-25 cm), 710 mm for heavy soils and deep ploughing (25-30 cm). Larger discs penetrate better but require 2-3 more HP per disc.
Can a disc plough work in wet soil?
Disc ploughs handle wetter conditions better than mouldboard ploughs, but working in very wet soil still causes compaction. Ideal moisture is 40-60% field capacity. If soil smears or sticks to discs, wait 2-3 days for it to dry.
Where to buy a quality disc plough?
Buy from local dealers, online platforms like Alibaba, or direct from manufacturers. FOYA Machinery supplies durable disc ploughs for small to medium farms. Contact us via WhatsApp or email for pricing and worldwide shipping.
Ready to Choose Your Disc Plough?
A disc plough is a long-term investment in your soil preparation capability. The right match — disc count, disc diameter, working width, and tractor power — determines whether your primary tillage is efficient and cost-effective or a constant struggle.
FOYA Machinery manufactures disc ploughs from 2-disc to 6-disc models, built with heat-treated 660 mm discs, reinforced frames, and adjustable disc angle for varying soil conditions. Browse our disc plough product page for full specifications, or contact our team for a recommendation based on your tractor and soil type.
Contact FOYA Machinery for pricing, specifications, and shipping on disc ploughs and tillage equipment.