Harrows

A harrow is a heavy frame set with teeth or tines which is dragged over plowed land to break up clods, remove weeds, and cover seed.

Harrows are as ancient as plows, dating back to biblical times. They work best on dry soil. In days of old, the harrow required an operator to walk either behind or alongside the harrow. But that proved to be extremely dusty and laborious for the person operating the harrow.

In fact, the 1939 International Harvester catalog notes: “No man who has tramped all day back and forth across a plowed field behind a peg-tooth harrow can fail to appreciate the value of a harrow cart.” The harrow cart with wheels was developed to simplify the process. The operator would sit on an apparatus with a seat affixed to two wheels, all of which was connected to the harrow.

When tractors came along, the harrow was then affixed to the drawbar of the tractor, mechanizing the work. Video of Harrow:

https://archive.org/details/0914_Soybeans_for_Farm_and_Industry_00_21_44_29