Shear bolts for 2 bottom plow.

[N80]

My brother-in-law is letting me use this plow:

I do not know what size the bottoms are, maybe 16", but I don't know what you actually measure to determine the size. In any case, it has shear bolts in it but they are old and rusty and I've already bent the rear one. It is about ready to go.

Does anyone know what size/strength of shear bolt I need to buy for this plow? I don't even know if a shear bolt is a special type or just a certain strength rating of a regular bolt. I'm assuming TSC will have them. The ones that are in it are smaller in diameter than the holes they are in. Is this right? Whatever the current bolts are, they seem about right. I've been plowing unplowed ground with it including big stumps and big rocks that have stopped me cold a few times (going very, very slow) and they are about to break. So I don't think I would want anything much stronger.

 

[dixiedrifter]

Get some grade 3 cheapies and a few spares.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

To measure a plow, throw a tape across the width of the truss frame, parallel with the drawbar. Measure from edge of the beam on one bottom to that exact same point on the beam of the second bottom. It's early (just after 6AM) and my eyes aren't quite calibrated () but that LOOKS like a 2X14" plow.

You want those shear bolts to "fit" the holes they're in, and NOT have any significant clearance. Get as soft of a bolt as you can find. Grade III is USUALLY the most common. Some GOOD farm supply stores/equipment dealers will have packaged "shear bolts" for plows, ect.

There isn't anything quite like the sensation of slamming your chest into the steering wheel when a plow snags a stump and the plow doesn't trip! Sort of a low speed rendition of a jet fighter hitting the arrest cable on an aircraft carrier. Stops 'em on a dime and gives you $.09 change

 

[N80]

It's early (just after 6AM) and my eyes aren't quite calibrated () but that LOOKS like a 2X14" plow.

I think you are right. It is very similar to all of the KK and TSC type plows you see out there and they are all 14".

I've also come to the conclusion that it is cheap like those common brands AND that it has been abused. I was having trouble getting the rear plow to engage at the same time and depth as the front one. With a lot of futzing around with the top link and adjusting lower lift arm height I got it to work pretty well but then I noticed that the drop down bar that the moldboard is bolted to is bent on the front plow. That is a big thick chunck-o-steel and it has quite a curve in it now. So I think this fits into the catagory of cheap and abused.

I was thinking about taking it apart and putting new bolts and hitch pins in it and maybe painting it. But in its current condition I've about decided it isn't worth it. Although it is working just fine. I plowed up a new food plot this weekend through very hard, dry, never-been-plowed dirt this weekend with no problems.

You want those shear bolts to "fit" the holes they're in, and NOT have any significant clearance.

That's kind of what I thought. The one's in it now just flop around. Plus, when I set the plow down, or back up a little, the mold board assemblies fold forward a little. Then, when the engage it clunks back hard against those loose shear bolts and I think that is how the rear one got bent.

There isn't anything quite like the sensation of slamming your chest into the steering wheel when a plow snags a stump and the plow doesn't trip!

So far I've been able to avoid that extreme a stop. Its almost like several things happen before I come to a stop. The plow jinks a little to one side with some slight play in the lift arm stabilizers and then the tires start to slip a little and by then I've been able to hit the clutch. I've also been going very slowly due to the unknown nature of the soil I'm plowing.

I've also noticed that it is hard to plow a straight line when you are looking behind you at the plow because you're worried about stumps and rocks!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I've also noticed that it is hard to plow a straight line when you are looking behind you at the plow because you're worried about stumps and rocks!

Sounds like you've already discovered one of the basics of good straight plowing!

There's a certain fascination with watching dirt roll off a plow. It's tough NOT to ride with both eyes fixed to the rear. But, the best way to keep furrows straight is to keep your eyes focused on the far end of the field, only occasionally looking at the plow. Pick out a target and drive to it. Even watching the front wheels for any extended time will make you tend to wander back and forth. In recent years, I've developed an interest in competitive "Match Ploughing". Those guys plow straight as an arrow. Art applied to a science. Simon Witty, multi-time British National and World Champ says "NEVER look back while you're under way". Easier said than done.

 

[N80]

There's a certain fascination with watching dirt roll off a plow.

You are right about that. I can't explain it. It might just be new toy phenomenon, but I don't think so. Whatever it is, I find plowing to be very enjoyable. I like doing all the things I do on a tractor (box blade, mowing, FEL, etc) but there just seems to be something fundamentally pleasant about plowing.

What I'd really like to do is plow something besides concrete and dust. Our drought situation has become quite severe. Even so, I'm surprised that once I plow an area, it looks like I might be able to make something of this 'dirt' that I have. I think a little moisture would make the dirt look a little better and the plowing a lot easier.

But, as far as I can tell....it does not rain here anymore.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

You are right about that. I can't explain it. It might just be new toy phenomenon, but I don't think so. Whatever it is, I find plowing to be very enjoyable. I like doing all the things I do on a tractor (box blade, mowing, FEL, etc) but there just seems to be something fundamentally pleasant about plowing.

What I'd really like to do is plow something besides concrete and dust. Our drought situation has become quite severe. Even so, I'm surprised that once I plow an area, it looks like I might be able to make something of this 'dirt' that I have. I think a little moisture would make the dirt look a little better and the plowing a lot easier.

But, as far as I can tell....it does not rain here anymore.

From all accounts, it's drier down your way than it is here, but you'd have a hard time proving it to me at this point. It's as dry as I've seen it in my 60 years. We did get a first real rain last wed night/thur morning. Almost 2". 4 days later, you can't even tell it rained. I was planning on plowing under an old worn out hayfield of mine, then replanting. No sense in doing so now. Nothing would germinate in these dry conditions. Best let it lay 'till spring now.

 

[N80]

My B-I-L (who gave me the plow) raises cows. His hay is way down compared to last year and he's worried about having enough this winter. He is thinking about planting some winter grasses for forage (and maybe hay?) for the first time ever. He has some sort of 'no-till drill' that he is working on for that. But, if it never rains.....

My pond is showing stumps and 'sandbars' that I have never seen (in 15 years). My oats and greens started out pretty good since we got about an inch 10 days after I planted. That was two weeks ago and they are turning brown.

And like you say, I think it is this way all along the mid Atlantic.

I hate to be the one to say it, but what the region needs is a few hurricanes. Stinks for people on the coast but could save our bacon here inland. Of course, last year was predicted to be the worst hurricane season ever and there were virtually none. So they predicted that this year would be the bad one. I don't think there has been a single Atlantic hurricane and at this point there is unlikely to be one.

We may not get decent rain here until late winter.