Ford 2-bottom plow

[kyhobbyfarmer]

Hello all,

I'm kinda new around these parts, but I've been using this site as a reference for a while now. I recently came across an old Ford 2-bottom plow of the 8n era (14" I think), and seeing how the price was right (it was a use-as-long-as-you-need deal because the guy who had em can't farm anymore do to health reasons, and I'm his favorite neighbor ) I hauled em home. Now, I've been around em all my life so I know a thing or two, and I know for a fact that it needs new shins. So, first question - Would the ones at Agri Supply (Part Number 19035) work with em? It says it is for a Ford 12"-14"-16" x 5/16", but I'm not sure, I'd rather be safe than sorry even though I'm not out too awful much if they aren't right. My second question is about coulters - somebody along the line has removed the entire coulter assembly for unknown reasons, and the guy I got em from has no idea how they were set up. I figure if I can get a good general idea I can rig something up or at least make something that will halfway work. I've thought about sharpening a piece of flat stock and bolting it on (as recommended by said neighbor) but I'm unsure if that would cut it in the ground we have around here, the field I'm working this year hasn't been worked in over 50 years and it's covered in dense clumps of broom sedge. I can weld a bit, and have access to quite a bit of machinery, but if there is somebody out there who sells replacement assemblies, or even parts (I know you can still get blades, but unsure about the rest) I would rather go that route.

Thanks All.

 

[KML]

Here are some pics of the coulter on a ford 101. Don't know if it's the same as your but it's from the same era. Hope they help. If you need more let me know..

 

[yeagisyeag]

Hi ky,

Here's a photo of my Dearborn 2 bottom from another thread. It's all disassembled now, and I'm also looking for a share. I ordered a shin from a guy on Ebay, but he could only sell shares by the 3's.

I'm also confused about the AgriSupply's "to fit" wording.

Hope it helps,
Jim

 

[kyhobbyfarmer]

Sorry 'bout that, I've been kinda loopy since the doc upped my meds from my 800mg ibuprofen to what they have me on now. What I meant (I think at least, It's been a few hours and CRS has started to kick in ) was does anybody have any experience with using the agri supply part as a replacement for the OEM shin? I know a lot of the parts that I have bought for my antique equipment didn't fit quite as advertised, and I'm not even sure I'm reading the description right, so it helps to have an "independant review" if that makes any sense. As for shares, my neighbor gave me a set that the feller who sold him the plows long ago gave him when he bought it, so I should be set in that department.

Thanks for the pictures of the coulter assemblies. My plow looks something similar, however, I'm thinking now it's a ferguson, not a ford, due to Old Ferguson Tractors - Broken Link! because of the way the pins for the lower arms are offset. I'm not quite up-to-date with what all went on with Henry Ford and Harry Ferguson and the handshake agreement, but from what I know, I'm assuming, based on the era of the plow I found an example of, ford parts should fit it, correct? I would check the nameplate if it were still there, but since it aint, I guess i better be hunting my digital camera and getting a picture of mine up here for the experts to judge . I'm starting to think the flat stock wouldn't be such a bad idea - those coulter assemblies look mighty complicated to fab from scratch based upon the manual I found Ferguson AO Mouldboard Plows - Parts Book ....

Well, it's 3:30 and wayyyy past my bedtime, so I think I better rest and see what dangerous ideas I get in my sleep, lol.

Thanks,
Danny

 

[Farmwithjunk]

OK....What indication do you have that it's a Ferguson plow? (A picture would be invaluable at this point)

Ford and Ferguson wear parts won't interchange on any plows I've ever worked with.

You mention shins.... VERY few earlier plows had replacable shins. They came into vogue in the middle to late 50's. Better than average chance a Ford plow with moldboard/share/shin would be a model 101. Same logic applies to Ferguson plows. The last of the "Ferguson" and ensuing Massey Ferguson plows with replaceable shins would most likely be model 62 or 66 (rigid beam or trip beam)

Coulter assemblies just aren't available new any longer. Best bet is to hit the boneyards and look for a donor plow. Many used equipment dealers will have a few laying around. You may even run an add on Craigslist.


Let's play 20 questions and try to figure out what plow you have. Is it a rigid beam or trip beam plow? Are there any part #'s showing on castings or forgings?


I see you're from Kentucky! So am I. Who knows? We may even be neighbors. Where you located? (I'm just outside Mt Washington, between Louisville and Bardstown)

 

[Ford850]

I worked on my old Dearborn and Ford plows over the weekend. The Ford is a model 101, and I bought new shins and shares for it at TSC yesterday. They were priced the same as Agri supply and I had the benefit of carrying in my old parts to be sure they would fit. I was surpised to find the same parts that fit the 101 also fit the much older Dearborn plow. If you have any TSC stores nearby, check them out. My local TSC store rarely has a selection of plow parts, but they have a lot of inventory this week! If they don't have them in stock they can order parts too. One change from my older parts was the bolt style, so be sure to check that before buying replacements. They used to all take 7/16 x 1 1/4" plow bolts, but the new parts all use clipped head bolts (same size). The upper shin bolts are 1 3/4" long if you have coverboards attached.
But back to your question about Agri Supply, those shins should be the same as the ones I bought at TSC. There is only one style sold by most places now, and that is the one. Coulters will be tough to find, as FWJ said. If you Search this site for "ford plow" and you'll find a lot of threads with many good pictures for examples. You might find a listing for an old plow for sale in your area and try to buy the coulters off of it. Good luck.

 

[kyhobbyfarmer]

OK....What indication do you have that it's a Ferguson plow? (A picture would be invaluable at this point)

Ford and Ferguson wear parts won't interchange on any plows I've ever worked with.

You mention shins.... VERY few earlier plows had replacable shins. They came into vogue in the middle to late 50's. Better than average chance a Ford plow with moldboard/share/shin would be a model 101. Same logic applies to Ferguson plows. The last of the "Ferguson" and ensuing Massey Ferguson plows with replaceable shins would most likely be model 62 or 66 (rigid beam or trip beam)

Coulter assemblies just aren't available new any longer. Best bet is to hit the boneyards and look for a donor plow. Many used equipment dealers will have a few laying around. You may even run an add on Craigslist.


Let's play 20 questions and try to figure out what plow you have. Is it a rigid beam or trip beam plow? Are there any part #'s showing on castings or forgings?


I see you're from Kentucky! So am I. Who knows? We may even be neighbors. Where you located? (I'm just outside Mt Washington, between Louisville and Bardstown)

FWJ,

Sorry it took so long to get back to ya, spent all day yesterday hulling green bean pods saved from last year. I'm quite a ways east of where your located, in the beautiful Daniel Boone National Forest, more specifically Montgomery County, just outside of jeffersonville. The plow is fixed beam, with a setup like the Ferguson AO (the frame looks exactly like it) but the wear parts look nothing like those in the pictures. I would post pics, but I can't find the cord that connects to my digital camera for the life of me. I may be able to sketch something up tho. There are no casting numbers visible - I took a wire brush to the whole dang thing and came up with zip. The shares I have for it fit perfectly and the guy I got em from said they are for a ford, so I'm still lost.

It's a shame people arent making new plows like this anymore. It's such a simple design to handle so beautifully. The king cutter two-bottom plow at TSC don't seem to hold up near as well as these oldies. I did a test patch and it worked pretty well without coulters, better than my cousins brand new two bottom KK, the frankenplow (as I'm starting to call it) wasn't even noticeable behind the 8n, the KK didn't seem to pull right. Go figure, lol.

 

[kyhobbyfarmer]

I worked on my old Dearborn and Ford plows over the weekend. The Ford is a model 101, and I bought new shins and shares for it at TSC yesterday. They were priced the same as Agri supply and I had the benefit of carrying in my old parts to be sure they would fit. I was surpised to find the same parts that fit the 101 also fit the much older Dearborn plow. If you have any TSC stores nearby, check them out. My local TSC store rarely has a selection of plow parts, but they have a lot of inventory this week! If they don't have them in stock they can order parts too. One change from my older parts was the bolt style, so be sure to check that before buying replacements. They used to all take 7/16 x 1 1/4" plow bolts, but the new parts all use clipped head bolts (same size). The upper shin bolts are 1 3/4" long if you have coverboards attached.
But back to your question about Agri Supply, those shins should be the same as the ones I bought at TSC. There is only one style sold by most places now, and that is the one. Coulters will be tough to find, as FWJ said. If you Search this site for "ford plow" and you'll find a lot of threads with many good pictures for examples. You might find a listing for an old plow for sale in your area and try to buy the coulters off of it. Good luck.

There is a TSC in Winchester, about 30 miles down the road from me that I visit regularly. But it seems to me that every time I go in looking for something, they usually don't have it and have to order it (the way my luck runs), when my local New Holland dealer usually has it in stock in the back room somewhere. Two bottom plows are a pretty hot commodity here, and if a dealer gets one in on trade, it doesn't last long. My great uncle said he knew where to get a set, but giving his track record, I wonder who will be missing them in the morning. But I think I can do without coulters based upon my test run.

Thanks,
Danny

 

[yeagisyeag]

. One change from my older parts was the bolt style, so be sure to check that before buying replacements. They used to all take 7/16 x 1 1/4" plow bolts, but the new parts all use clipped head bolts (same size). The upper shin bolts are 1 3/4" long if you have coverboards attached.

So, how can you tell if you need clipped head or plow bolts?

Jim

 

[Ford850]

The plow bolts have a flat head, close to 1" across, with a countersink taper. It has a squared section close to the threads that keeps it from spinning. The hole in the share, shin, etc would be be countersunk for that large head and you can see the squared area to match the square bolt shoulder (sort of like a carriage bolt)
Clipped head bolts have a smaller head, barely any larger than the bolt diameter. The head has 2 flat sides, making it oblong, to keep it from spinning. The hole would be only slightly larger than the bolt diameter, and have 2 flat sides.