3 bottom Massey Ferguson model 4 plow

[Doc_Bob]

I am using the 3 bottom MF model 4 plow. What fun! I am going to include some pictures. Please make suggestions as I have no real plow experience. Does it look like I adjusted it correctly? I dropped the right wheel into one trench and leveled the plow front to back and side to side.

Also, is a model #4 a good plow?

Bob

 

[Farmwithjunk]

It's a REAL good plow, but somehow, some way, there's a number missing off the nomenclature plate. That's a model 74 plow! The #74 is essentially a heavier CAT II version of the #66 CAT I plow I have.

From the pictures, it looks fine. How's she plow? If you're getting furrow slices that look equal, level across the top, and even depth from bottom to bottom, you got it right.


If you were going to be doing a BUNCH of plowing, I'd suggest setting the rear wheels out a bit wider. Massey plow owners manuals call for 24" to 26" from center line of tractor to the inside of the sidewalls on rear tires for that configuration of plow.

 

[thunderworks]

FarmwithJunk: I have a #72 MF 3 bottom plow . . . what's the difference between the #74 and the #72?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

FarmwithJunk: I have a #72 MF 3 bottom plow . . . what's the difference between the #74 and the #72?

I THINK the #72 is just an earlier version of the #74. Along in the early 60's Massey changed styles of the bottoms. Main difference was the landslides if I recall. I have an MF plow parts list in the shop. I'll go check in a bit. You have my curiousity raised.

EDIT; I just took a quick look through my stack of MF sales literature. Does your plow resemble Doc Bob's? Or does it have rigid beams that curve down to the bottoms without any saftey trip mechanism? From what I'm seeing, the #72 was a CAT II partner to the CAT I #62, which was a rigid beam plow. My books on CAT II implements start at 1965. #72 was discontinued prior to that year. All I can go on is replacement parts list which don't list any shims and/or shear bolts for the #72.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Have you pulled it thru the ground? If so how did she pull? I have a MF model 82 that is a 3 bottom with the 4th bottom bolted on. It needs some work before it goes into the ground and as soon as I am able I will be fixing it up. I also have a MF 880 4-16 plow that has been good to me the couple years I have owned it. It started out as a 5-16 but the fifth bottom was a bolt on section so I removed it as it was too much for the 7710-II. The 880 has hydraulic resets so if it trips you don't have to stop and half the time you don't even notice it.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Have you pulled it thru the ground? If so how did she pull? I have a MF model 82 that is a 3 bottom with the 4th bottom bolted on. It needs some work before it goes into the ground and as soon as I am able I will be fixing it up. I also have a MF 880 4-16 plow that has been good to me the couple years I have owned it. It started out as a 5-16 but the fifth bottom was a bolt on section so I removed it as it was too much for the 7710-II. The 880 has hydraulic resets so if it trips you don't have to stop and half the time you don't even notice it.

The #82 had a CAT I little brother. The #43. I'm hunting for a #43 2X14" for the 150. When (if?) I get the Ferguson F-40 restored, the #66 will go with the 40. The #43 and #82 were high clearance models for better results with heavier crop residue. As modern hybred crops produced more residue, the older #43 and #74 would tend to plug.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Well, there is a MF 43 in MN for $1k on fastline. It doesn't say if it is a 2-14 though

If I find one around this area or run across one online I will keep you in mind.

I also have an old International 3-14 that needs quite a bit of work but that one is hard to find parts for which is why it fell into as rough a shape as it is.

 

[Doc_Bob]

If you were going to be doing a BUNCH of plowing, I'd suggest setting the rear wheels out a bit wider. Massey plow owners manuals call for 24" to 26" from center line of tractor to the inside of the sidewalls on rear tires for that configuration of plow.

26 inches. Sounds good. Since I am new to plows, what will I see if I set the wheel to 26"?
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

Have you pulled it thru the ground? If so how did she pull?

Good question. I am not sure, since I have so little experience. I can tell you that I had it "buried" and I had it in FWA. It "bogged" down in some very heavy clay, I was running 2300 rpm (70 HP New Holland TN70A). It the moldboards started to "shine up" and I think it was easier to pull. What can I do to make it pull easier?
Bob

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Bill, here is a pic of a couple old guys projects. A Ferguson 40 and half scale running replica.

You don't want to bury the plow. Ideally if it is a 14" bottom you would have it 7" deep and it will pull a lot easier then if you bury the bottoms.