setting two bottom plow

[PondCreekFarm]

OK Guys here's what I found: (1) the top link was too long and the rear shear was engaqging first; (2) the whole thing needs to be moved left so that a full cut is taken by the front plow; (3) the front shear point was broken off. I have some work to do and then we will see. I am wondering if the coulters are encouraging crop residue and mud to build up. I may remove them and see if that makes any difference too.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

OK Guys here's what I found: (1) the top link was too long and the rear shear was engaqging first; (2) the whole thing needs to be moved left so that a full cut is taken by the front plow; (3) the front shear point was broken off. I have some work to do and then we will see. I am wondering if the coulters are encouraging crop residue and mud to build up. I may remove them and see if that makes any difference too.

If your coulters are set RIGHT, they'll PREVENT crop residue from building up. That's 75% of the reason why they're there in the first place. Make certain they're set 3/8" to 3/4" to the LEFT of the leading edge of the shin, and cutting only 2" or 3" deep when the plow is at full depth. They'll slice through that crop residue and leave a clean cut for the shin to work through.

A plow SHOULD be centered on it's DRAFT LINE. That's generally 4" to the left of the total cutting width. Then the right rear wheel should be set to clear the lead bottom. Translated, a 2X14" plow's draft line is 18" from the extreme right side of it's cutting width. The top link SHOULD be straight back in line with the center line of the tractor. Then the right rear wheel SHOULD be 18" (to 20") inches FROM the center of the tractor to the INSIDE of the sidewall.

It's not unusual for a plow to be set to fit the tractor's width, but done CORRECTLY, the TRACTOR's width is set to fit the PLOW.

By setting the plow to the left in order to clear the inside of the right wheel, you MAY get the plow too far to the left, making it tend to force the tractor to the right when the plow is in the ground.

 

[PondCreekFarm]

When I checked the setting, what I found was that the rear plow cut great, and rarely clogged up. The front on, however, was only cutting about ten inches to the left of the previous furrow. I simply hooked the plow up and left the pins out of the arms so that the plow has quite a bit of play if it needs it.

I am not certain that I can adjust my tractor to the specifications, but I am not adverse to the idea if I know how to do it. Is moving the assembly left on the bar that the lift arms attach to a bad idea? I need to find a way to get the front board to turn more dirt or I am really just using a 1.25 bottom plow aren't I?

I do not know if this matters, but the plow is a 1950's ford (blue) with boards that are spring-loaded and break away if I hit something. They also have an extra curved top that seems to cause the dirt to roll over better when everything is working right. I really want to get this right because I remember as a kid how cool it was to plow and have it all work. Then I was using a Ford 8N and my grandpa set it all up before sending me out. I should have paid better attention.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

When I checked the setting, what I found was that the rear plow cut great, and rarely clogged up. The front on, however, was only cutting about ten inches to the left of the previous furrow. I simply hooked the plow up and left the pins out of the arms so that the plow has quite a bit of play if it needs it.

I am not certain that I can adjust my tractor to the specifications, but I am not adverse to the idea if I know how to do it. Is moving the assembly left on the bar that the lift arms attach to a bad idea? I need to find a way to get the front board to turn more dirt or I am really just using a 1.25 bottom plow aren't I?

I do not know if this matters, but the plow is a 1950's ford (blue) with boards that are spring-loaded and break away if I hit something. They also have an extra curved top that seems to cause the dirt to roll over better when everything is working right. I really want to get this right because I remember as a kid how cool it was to plow and have it all work. Then I was using a Ford 8N and my grandpa set it all up before sending me out. I should have paid better attention.

With many compact tractors, you're somewhat limited with rear wheel "track" width settings. If that's the case, you'll have to adjust the plow's "width of cut" some to compensate.

I'm going to take a wild guess here, and speculate that what you're referring to as an "extra curved top" might be "cover boards" (AKA trash boards) that are intended to throw surface crop residue into the open furrow ahead of each bottom so the plow can better cover them. If that's the case, the coulters need to be set even wider. They need to run 3/4" to 1-1/4" to the left of the leading edge of the shin. (towards the "land side" and away from the "furrow side")

Back in the day, ALL tractors were designed with plowing as a major consideration. Not many tractors were sold that DIDN'T end up pulling a plow at some point. Today, even what's considered a "farm tractor" PROBABLY won't do much moldboard plowing. Many utility tractors and MOST compacts aren't designed with pulling a plow as a major consideration. 3-point hitches need some side to side float and clearance to do so. Rear wheel track width needs to be adjustable, or at a minimum, wide enough to allow a plow to be set centered on its draft line. Without these design criteria in place, you're left to compromise. The plow may HAVE to run a few inches to the left of being on center. The 3-point may HAVE to be "stabilized" somewhat to keep from contacting the draft arms. The "rules for adjusting a plow" I've been commenting on are "perfect world" scenario. In the end, you have to do whatever works.

But... If you can adjsut the coulters near what I mentioned, you should have considerably less trouble with trash plugging. (also make certain you don't have the coulters too deep.)

 

[PondCreekFarm]

I really appreciate all of the help. I will try to put it to good use tomorrow.