How to Identify a Set of Farm Disks From Years Ago

Years ago, no farmer would think of plowing a field without also disking it in order to properly aerate the soil for planting. Land use experts began to advocate for less wear and tear on the land, and disking fell out of favor. Most farm sales would still contain a set of disks from years ago. Look for classic American brand names such as Allis Chalmers, Case, International Harvester, John Deere and Massey Ferguson. Disking is enjoying a comeback in some states, especially in the midwest. Identify your ancestors' farm implements before they are auctioned off, and hold the set of disks out for an individual sale.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Study photographs of old farm implements so that you become well-versed in the difference between a plow and a disk. A plow digs or cuts into the soil to turn it over, while a disk removes the lumps and levels the ground for planting.

   • 2

     Look for a machine that would have to be drawn by horses or a tractor because it is far bigger than a plow. A set of disks could never be pushed by hand, as a plow could.

   • 3

     Search farms sales, used implement yards, and pictures of objects for sale on Craigslist and eBay until you find a horse-drawn or tractor-drawn apparatus with rows of round, sharp objects. What you have identified is a set of farm disks from long ago.