Description

Pipe harrows or Dixie harrows remove thin low, brittle shrubs and scarify the soil surface for seeding. Triangular-shaped blades are welded to 10-ft long pipes attached with swivels to a heavy square beam that is pulled with a tractor. The modified pipes weigh about 300 lbs each, and a 15-ft wide unit weighs about 4,000 lbs. Required tractor horsepower is at least 130. Pulling a 25-ft-wide harrow requires a 210 horsepower tractor, while the 40-ft wide harrow requires a 400 horsepower tractor. The tractor can be equipped to simultaneously broadcast seed the harrowed site.

Application

Pipe harrows are used to remove top growth to release shrubs, scarify soil surfaces, prepare seedbeds, and cover seed. Pipes can be removed from the main beam to reduce brush removal and form special patterns. Users report 50 to 70 acres/day productivity. Pipe harrows are well suited to clearing sites in patterns that benefit wildlife. Users report 50 to 70 acres/day productivity. Seeding is conducted during single-pass harrowing and during the final pass of double-pass harrowing to establish desirable species. If sufficient desirable grasses are present, seeding may not be necessary.

Images

Dixie harrow results
Dixie harrow results. Photo courtesy of Utah Department of Wildlife Resources.
Dixie harrow
Dixie harrow in operation. Photo courtesy of USFS, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
Dixie harrow
Dixie harrow. Photo courtesy of Utah Department of Wildlife Resources.

References / Additional Information

Martin, M.H.; Ibarra, F.A.; Cox, J.R.; Morton, H.L. 1986. Establishment of range grasses on various seedbeds at four creosote bush sites in Chihuahua, Mexico and Arizona, USA. In: 40th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1986 February 9-10; Orlando, FL. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Equipment Development Center: 21-23.

Pellant, M. 1990. Rehabilitation equipment development in southern Idaho. In: 43rd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1989 February 19-20; Billings, MT. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Technology and Development Center: 14-15.

Pellant, M. 1991. Rehabilitation equipment development in southern Idaho. In: Rangeland Technology Equipment Council. 1990 Annual Report. 9122-2805-MTDC. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Technology and Development Center: 17-19.

Pellant, M. 1991. Rehabilitation equipment development in southern Idaho. In: Rangeland Technology Equipment Council. 1990 Annual Report. 9122-2805-MTDC. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Technology and Development Center: 81. (Report discusses disk chain, chain harrow).

Stevens, R.; Monsen, S.B. 2004. Chapter 9. Mechanical plant control. In: Monsen, S.B.; Stevens, R.; Shaw, N.L., comps. Restoring western ranges and wildlands, vol. 1. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-136-vol-1. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 65-88.

Summers, D.; Gunnell, K.; Larsen, R.; Newton, J. 2024. Novel equipment and restoration methods in the western US. In: Revegetation Technology and Equipment Council. 2024. Revegetation Technology and Equipment Council Symposium (SRM 2024); 2024 January 1; Sparks, NV: YouTube video (19:26-35:26).