6 Best Tow Behind Chain Harrows For Cattle That Revitalize Pastures

Staring out at your pasture, you see the signs: concentrated manure piles, patches of weedy growth, and compacted soil where the grass is struggling. For cattle farmers, this isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a direct threat to herd health and your feed bill. A simple tow-behind chain harrow is one of the most effective, low-cost tools for transforming that tired ground into a lush, productive grazing system.

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Why Chain Harrows Boost Cattle Pasture Health

A chain harrow is a remarkably simple tool that does several critical jobs at once. As you drag it across the pasture, its steel tines act like a giant rake, breaking up and spreading manure piles. This simple action is a game-changer for pasture fertility and parasite control.

Spreading manure allows nutrients to be evenly distributed back into the soil instead of creating "hot spots" of nitrogen that kill the grass underneath. It also exposes parasite larvae within the manure to sunlight and air, drastically reducing their survival rate. This means healthier cattle that require less chemical deworming.

Beyond manure, the harrow scarifies the soil surface. The tines lightly scratch the ground, removing dead thatch and stimulating new grass growth from the root crown. This aeration improves water and nutrient penetration, encouraging a thicker, more resilient stand of forage that can better withstand grazing pressure.

Titan 8′ Heavy Duty Drag Harrow: For Tough Jobs

When you’re dealing with heavily compacted soil or a large acreage, you need weight and width. The Titan 8′ Heavy Duty Drag Harrow brings both. This isn’t a tool for a small ATV; it’s designed to be pulled by a compact tractor.

Its 8-foot width means you cover ground quickly, reducing your time in the seat. More importantly, its heavy construction gives it the bite needed to break up stubborn clay soils and level rough, hoof-pocked ground. You won’t need to add cinder blocks to this one to make it effective.

The tradeoff is maneuverability. An 8-foot implement can be clumsy in small, irregularly shaped paddocks with tight turns or numerous trees. But for open pastures of five acres or more, its efficiency is hard to beat. This is the right tool for someone serious about pasture renovation, not just light maintenance.

Yard Tuff 4.5′ x 5′ Drag Harrow: ATV Versatility

Not everyone has a tractor, and that’s where the Yard Tuff 4.5′ x 5′ harrow shines. Its size and weight are perfectly matched for the pulling power of a 4×4 ATV or a UTV. This makes pasture management accessible to nearly any hobby farmer.

This harrow is ideal for rotational grazing systems with smaller paddocks. You can easily navigate around water troughs, fence lines, and trees without the hassle of a larger implement. It’s also incredibly easy to store, taking up minimal space in a barn or shed.

The lighter weight is both a pro and a con. While it’s easy to handle, it may not be aggressive enough for heavily compacted ground on its own. However, its universal chain-style hitch makes it simple to add a little weight—like a couple of concrete blocks or a heavy log—to increase its bite when needed.

Field Tuff 6′ x 4′ Harrow: 3-Point Hitch Ready

For the farmer with a sub-compact or compact tractor, a 3-point hitch harrow offers a significant upgrade in control. The Field Tuff 6′ x 4′ model comes with a frame that attaches directly to your tractor’s 3-point lift arms. This is more than just a convenience.

Being able to lift the harrow completely off the ground makes transport a breeze. You can drive across driveways, through gates, or to a different field without dragging and damaging the implement or the surface. It also allows you to apply down pressure with your tractor’s hydraulics for more aggressive action when you need it.

This setup provides the best of both worlds. It has enough width for efficient work but retains the precision and control that a simple drag-behind model lacks. If you have a tractor with a 3-point hitch, this style of harrow is a smart investment for its superior functionality.

King Kutter Chain Harrow: A Farmer-Trusted Classic

King Kutter is a name that commands respect in the farm equipment world. Their chain harrows are known for being built to last, using high-carbon steel and a design that has been proven over decades of use. This is the "buy it once, cry it once" option.

A key feature of many King Kutter harrows is the multi-action mat. You can typically use it in three ways:

• Aggressive: Tines angled forward for maximum digging to break up hardpan or renovate a pasture.
• Less Aggressive: Tines angled backward for standard manure spreading and thatch removal.
• Smooth: Flip the mat over completely to use it as a drag mat for leveling seedbeds or smoothing arenas.

This versatility means you’re getting multiple tools in one. While they often come with a higher price tag, the durability and functional design make them a reliable choice for farmers who see their equipment as a long-term investment.

CountyLine 4′ x 4′ Harrow: Accessible & Effective

Found at Tractor Supply Co., the CountyLine 4′ x 4′ harrow is the entry point for many new farmers. Its primary advantages are accessibility and affordability. You can pick one up today and put it to work this afternoon without a major financial commitment.

Its smaller 4’x4′ size is perfect for someone with just a few acres and a riding mower, ATV, or small garden tractor. It’s light enough for one person to move and hook up, making it a low-hassle tool for quick jobs like dragging a small paddock after moving the cows.

Of course, there are tradeoffs. The steel is generally lighter than premium brands, and its small footprint means more passes are needed to cover a field. But for breaking up manure piles and lightly scratching the surface on a small scale, it absolutely gets the job done. It’s a fantastic way to prove the concept of harrowing before investing in a larger, heavier unit.

EA 6′ Chain Harrow: USA-Made for Durability

For those who prioritize build quality above all else, the 6′ Chain Harrow from Everything Attachments (EA) is a top contender. Made in the USA with heavy-duty, high-carbon steel, this harrow is designed for relentless use. It’s noticeably heavier than many competitors of the same size.

That extra weight is a critical feature. It allows the harrow to dig in and perform effectively without needing supplemental weights, even in tough conditions. The robust construction means it can handle being dragged over rocky ground and forgotten stumps without bending tines or breaking links.

This is the tool for the farmer who is hard on equipment and expects it to perform year after year. The upfront cost is higher, but the investment pays off in longevity and superior performance. It’s a professional-grade tool scaled for the serious hobby farmer.

Choosing Harrow Size & Aggressiveness For Your Herd

Picking the right harrow isn’t about finding the "best" one, but the right one for your operation. The two key factors are the size of your pasture and the power of your towing vehicle.

First, match the width to your machine. For an ATV or UTV, a harrow between 4 and 5 feet wide is the sweet spot. For a compact tractor, you can comfortably pull a 6- to 8-foot model. A good rule is to choose a harrow that is slightly wider than the wheelbase of your tow vehicle to cover your tracks in a single pass.

Second, consider aggressiveness. Most harrows are reversible, offering long tines on one side and shorter tines on the other. For simply spreading manure and light aeration, the shorter tines are perfect. For breaking up compacted soil after winter or preparing for overseeding, the longer, more aggressive tines are what you need. The heavier the harrow, the more aggressive the action will be.

Ultimately, a chain harrow is a powerful tool for closing the nutrient loop on your farm, turning cattle waste into a valuable resource. By breaking up manure, reducing parasites, and stimulating grass growth, it helps you build a healthier herd and a more resilient pasture from the ground up. It’s one of the simplest and most cost-effective investments you can make in the long-term sustainability of your farm.