Tillage equipment

Tillage equipment: plough, harrow, cultivator and how to choose

Updated 20 October 2026

What each implement does

Tillage equipment prepares the land for sowing. A plough turns the soil and buries crop residue, a disc harrow breaks up clods and cuts the stubble, a cultivator loosens to a shallower depth and kills weeds, and a roller levels and firms the field. Which implement to take depends on the soil, the crop and the tillage system: classic ploughing or minimum tillage.

What to consider when choosing

• Number of plough bottoms: 2–3 for a tractor of about 50 hp, 4–5 or more for more powerful ones.
• The working width must match the pull of the tractor. An implement that is too wide makes the engine work at its limit.
• Hitching: mounted is more compact, semi-mounted or trailed is better for large areas.
• Working depth: dense soils need a heavier frame.
• Metal: the thickness of the leg, disc or share decides its life, and replacing working parts can cost a lot.
• Overload protection: a spring or hydraulic release saves the implement from breaking on stones.

What to put in your request

• type of implement — plough, disc harrow, cultivator, roller;
• width or number of bottoms, for example 3 bottoms;
• which tractor — make and power;
• maker or model, if you have one in mind;
• condition and year;
• hitching — mounted or trailed;
• buy or rent;
• delivery district;
• budget, if you want to name one.

Example: “I need a used mounted 3-furrow plough for a 50 hp tractor, not older than 2015, in working order, with spare shares. Delivery to Pretoria, budget up to R 12,000. To buy; collection is also possible.”

How to compare offers and what to avoid

Compare implements of the same class: a three-bottom plough cannot be set beside a two-bottom one. Ask whether the working parts are new or worn, what is in the set (mouldboards, skimmers, the support wheel), and whether there are spare shares. For used ones, ask for photos of the frame at the welds, a video of it working and confirmation that there are no cracks.

A new implement wins on life and warranty, while a used one from a known maker often suits a small farm. Collecting it yourself can lower the total, but heavy equipment has to be carried by something, so ask about delivery too.

The most common mistake is to take an implement that is beyond the tractor’s ability, or to forget about the ploughing depth for your soil. Another is not allowing for the cost of replacing shares and discs: sandy or stony soil wears them out faster. Ask how many acres the implement has already worked, and whether you can buy spare parts.

Renting an implement makes sense if you need it for a few days a year, for example deep loosening. Then give the period in your request, and owners will write the terms, the deposit and the delivery.

How the search works here

You write one request, and sellers reply with the price, photos and terms. The system compares the offers and shows the best one first, and sellers compete for your request. Contacts are hidden.

Ploughing needs a tractor, and sowing needs seeding equipment. For crop care you will need sprayers and fertiliser spreaders.