A disc plough is a primary tillage implement equipped with several concave steel discs. The discs rotate as the tractor moves forward, cutting into the soil and moving the upper layer to one side.

Because the discs rotate rather than slide continuously through the soil, a disc plough can work effectively in fields containing roots, weeds, moderate crop residue and uneven ground.

Disc ploughs are commonly used for:

• Dryland primary tillage
• Hard or previously uncultivated soil
• Fields containing roots and weeds
• Maize, wheat, soybean and cotton farms
• Land preparation before disc harrowing
• Medium and large farm operations

Mounted disc ploughs normally connect to the tractor through a three-point linkage. The tractor hydraulic system raises the implement for turning and transportation.

A mouldboard plough uses a cutting share at the lower front of each plough body. After the share cuts below the soil, the curved mouldboard lifts and turns the soil strip to one side.

This process can provide more complete soil inversion, helping bury weeds, surface residue and selected organic material beneath the soil.

Mouldboard ploughs are commonly used for:

• Regular cultivated farmland
• Fields requiring complete soil inversion
• Burial of weeds and light surface residue
• Preparation of uniform furrows
• Clean fields with limited roots and stones
• Traditional primary tillage systems

A disc plough is often more practical for dry, hard or compact surface conditions. The rotating discs can cut into the ground and move through uneven resistance without requiring the same continuous sliding action as a mouldboard body.

However, a heavy disc plough still creates substantial draft resistance. Tractor horsepower, operating weight, tire condition and four-wheel-drive traction must be matched to the number and diameter of the discs.

A mouldboard plough may also work in firm soil, but the shares must be in good condition and the tractor must maintain sufficient traction. Extremely dry soil can increase wear and make it difficult to maintain a consistent depth.

The correct choice for clay soil depends strongly on moisture conditions.

A disc plough may be suitable when clay soil is firm, uneven or contains roots and residue. The rotating discs can reduce continuous surface friction and help the implement move through variable conditions.

A mouldboard plough can produce good soil inversion when the clay has suitable moisture. If the soil is excessively wet and sticky, soil may adhere to the mouldboard surface, increase resistance and affect the quality of the furrow.

Farmers should avoid deep ploughing when clay soil is excessively wet, regardless of the plough type, because this can damage soil structure and increase compaction beneath the working layer.

Both plough types can work in sandy or loose soil, but the required implement size may be smaller than in hard soil because resistance is usually lower.

A mouldboard plough can provide clear and regular soil inversion on clean sandy farmland. A disc plough may be selected when the field also contains roots, weeds or uneven residue.

Using an excessively heavy plough in loose soil may cause unnecessary working depth, increased fuel consumption and excessive disturbance of the soil profile.

A disc plough generally handles roots, weeds and moderate crop residue more easily because each rotating disc can cut through material and move around small obstructions.

A mouldboard plough can bury residue effectively, but long stalks and heavy surface material may accumulate around the plough bodies when residue clearance is insufficient.

For fields with heavy maize stalks or dense residue, farmers may need to cut or crush the residue first. A disc harrow or residue management implement can also be used before or after primary tillage, depending on the field condition.

A mouldboard plough normally provides more complete soil inversion. The soil strip is cut, lifted and turned over in a more continuous form.

This can be useful when the farmer wants to:

• Bury weeds beneath the soil
• Cover light crop residue
• Create regular furrows
• Expose lower soil to air and sunlight
• Prepare the field under a traditional tillage system

A disc plough normally produces less complete inversion but provides useful cutting, lifting and mixing. Its final surface may require additional work with a disc harrow or rotary tiller before planting.

Tractor horsepower is an important selection factor, but it should not be considered alone. Tractor weight, 2WD or 4WD configuration, tire size, hydraulic lifting capacity and local soil resistance also affect performance.

The ranges above are general references. Final matching depends on plough weight, disc or body quantity, working width, working depth, soil hardness and tractor operating weight.

Primary tillage creates significant resistance. A tractor may have enough engine horsepower but still experience excessive wheel slip if its operating weight and traction are insufficient.

A four-wheel-drive tractor transfers power to both the front and rear axles. This normally improves traction, directional control and stability in dry, loose or uneven fields.

For medium farm work, the BSM 70HP 4WD farm tractor can be matched with a suitable disc plough, rotary tiller, disc harrow, seeder and farm trailer according to the application.

Farmers comparing drive configurations can also read: 2WD vs 4WD Farm Tractor: Which One Should You Choose?

A wider or deeper-working plough creates more draft resistance. Buyers should not select the largest model only to increase theoretical field capacity.

An oversized plough may cause:

• Excessive wheel slip
• Low working speed
• Uneven operating depth
• High fuel consumption
• Engine and transmission overload
• Difficulty lifting a mounted implement
• Poor turning performance at field boundaries

An undersized plough may be easier to pull, but it can reduce daily field capacity. The correct choice should balance working width, depth, tractor load, soil result and operating cost.

Buyers should include commonly used wearing parts in the initial order when local replacement parts are difficult to obtain.

1. Inspect the field: check soil moisture, residue level, roots, stones and field slope.
2. Select the plough: choose a disc or mouldboard structure according to the working conditions.
3. Match the tractor: confirm horsepower, drive type, operating weight and hydraulic lifting capacity.
4. Adjust the implement: set working angle, depth and tractor linkage.
5. Test the first pass: check soil turning, furrow quality, wheel slip and working depth.
6. Complete primary tillage: maintain an appropriate and stable operating speed.
7. Perform secondary tillage: use a disc harrow or rotary tiller when smaller clods and a more level seedbed are required.

Buyers sometimes confuse a disc plough with a disc harrow. Although both use round discs, they perform different operations.

• Disc plough: primary tillage, soil cutting and turning.
• Mouldboard plough: primary tillage and more complete soil inversion.
• Disc harrow: secondary tillage, clod breaking, residue mixing and field leveling.

After primary ploughing, farmers may use a disc harrow to reduce soil clods and create a more suitable surface for planting.

Learn more in: Light Duty vs Medium Duty vs Heavy Duty Disc Harrow: How to Choose .

• Choosing only according to tractor horsepower
• Ignoring tractor weight and traction
• Selecting too many discs or plough bodies
• Ignoring rear hydraulic lifting capacity
• Using a mouldboard plough in heavy residue without preparation
• Using a worn share or damaged disc blade
• Working when clay soil is excessively wet
• Setting an unnecessarily deep working depth
• Failing to order replacement wearing parts
• Not considering field turning and transport conditions

To receive a suitable tractor and plough recommendation, buyers should provide:

• Existing or required tractor horsepower
• 2WD or 4WD configuration
• Tractor model and operating weight
• Three-point linkage category
• Rear hydraulic lifting capacity
• Farm size
• Main crops
• Soil type and moisture condition
• Amount of roots, weeds and crop residue
• Required working width and depth
• Preferred disc or mouldboard structure
• Destination country and port

Neither type is better for every farm. A disc plough is often more practical for hard, dry, uneven or residue-covered fields. A mouldboard plough is suitable when complete soil inversion and regular furrows are the main requirements.

A 70HP tractor can work with a suitable medium mounted disc plough or mouldboard plough. The final configuration depends on implement weight, working width, soil resistance and tractor lifting capacity.

A disc plough normally handles moderate maize residue more easily. Heavy or long maize stalks may still need to be crushed or cut before primary tillage.

A conventional mounted disc plough is normally pulled through the tractor three-point linkage and does not require PTO drive. The discs rotate because of contact with the soil during forward movement.

A disc harrow is often used after primary tillage to break large clods, mix residue and level the surface before planting.

Yes. HENAN BEST Machinery (BSM) can recommend a tractor and farm implement package according to farm size, soil, crops, required working width and destination country.

View the BSM 70HP 4WD farm tractor for medium farm work and implement matching.

Explore more four-wheel farm tractors for different horsepower and field requirements.

View farm tools and agricultural implements for ploughing, tillage, planting and transportation.

Compare implements for four-wheel tractors , including ploughs, disc harrows, rotary tillers, seeders and trailers.