Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow

   / Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow #1  

Tome

New member
Joined
Sep 3, 2009
Messages
4
Location
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Tractor
861 Ford and John Deere 1050
I have a Dearborn plow that I was going to sell but after I did some research I think I have decided to restore it and use it. This plow was my father-in-laws that I inherited. All the research I have done, which is not a lot but all the model 10-156's have two bottom plows on them. Mine has three. Was that a add on or did it have the same model number. It all looks factory. Another thing, I am ignorant as to what the parts are called on a plow. Is there a parts list that I can go to to educate me? Another thing, I was thinking about discarding the third plow and making it a two bottom one, would that be wise? I don't think my 1050 JD will handle the three bottom plow. Any help will be appreciated. By the way this is my first post on here as I am a newbie but from what I have read I am really enjoying this forum.

Thanks,
Tome
 
   / Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow #2  
Welcome to TBN Tome!! I am not conversational enough on the Dearborn plows to know what model fits what.....but I do know you can remove parts from the plow to make it a two-bottom. A friend of mine has just done that as well. The two bottom plows are more useful for the CUT size tractors. I am not sure if your model number is for 14" or 16" bottoms. There have been numerous posts on this topic lately......you can do a search on "plow" or "Dearborn" and likely get all kinds of reading.

I have a Dearborn 2x16 and have pulled it with my 790 (30hp) tractor. It is a load.....but my light / sandy soils make it do-able......and lots of fun. :D FWIW....a Dearborn 2 bottom in good shape will sell for $400 or more in most areas.

Again......WELCOME to TBN!
 
   / Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow #3  
Hello Tome, I have spent the last month learning about plows so I now am a expert!! Not really, but I do know a lot about this plow in terms of parts, availability, etc. I have one just like yours ( I think) but in the Ford version and it's a two bottom. Ford made these and also had them made under the Dearborn and Pittsburg label, but they are the same plow. If you could post a picture or drop me an e-mail picture, I could be sure. It would be helpful if you could take close-ups of the "wear parts" or those parts designed to be replaced periodically due to wear. If these were not maintained when worn, the plow could have been damaged, as mine was. The wear parts are the plowshares (the lower blade that cuts), the shin (the vertical crescent shaped cutting edge), the moldboards (the large wing), and the landsides (the flat piece of steel on the back side that slides along parallel to direction of travel) They come in two sizes, the rear one is longer, about 21". Lastly is the rolling landside, the wheel or dish on the rear. Depending on the condition of the plow, some or all of these may need replacement. These are all attached to the frog, which is the heavy inner structure that holds these in place. You don't want to damage or wear into your frog by using overworn parts. You may have a hard time seeing each part individually, as dirt can pack in and obscure the borders of each. Post some pictures of these wear parts if possible to determine their status. Shares wear first, so replacing them is easy. Landsides and shins are harder to come by, but can be found with effort. Moldboards are the least likely to be trashed, are available but more costly. Determine what needs to be replaced and if the bolts are fused with rust, don't even bother to try to salvage. Just get a sidegrinder and cut off the nuts from the back and use a punch to pop out the bolt head. New bolts are cheap and readily available. Replacing all wear parts on one bottom will cost up to $200, half of which is the moldboards which hopefully are still good

As far as the size and numbers of bottoms, these plows were sort of modular, in that you could add bottoms or change the size relatively easily by adding different diagonal frame members, and assembling it differently. Measure between the main beams (center to center) to determine the size.

Accessories were also available, such as coulters (cutting wheels in front of the plowshare) trash boards (small wings above the moldboards) etc. etc.

Manuals are easily available. I bought an original one on E-Bay. You are welcome to a copy.

If you remove parts, check the back for a part #. That may help in buying new ones. Also, if you remove a bottom, keep the old parts, as they are valuable.

Hope this helps. As you progress, keep us posted on the progress, and I can help you find sources for what you decide to replace. I have had fun disassembling mine, sandblasting and painting it, and putting it back together with new parts.

Lastly, if your plow is the model I think it is, it has no protection to protect it from striking an obstruction (i.e. large rock) Most later plows had sheer pins or spring mechanisms to protect them. So be careful when you plow. I was pulling mine with a 70 h.p. tractor in rocky soil, and damaged it twice. The last time did major frame bending and broke four 3/4" grade eight bolts. My new plow restoration is a model with trip protection. My feeling is that this plow was designed for smaller tractors and better soil than we have here.

Good luck!
 
   / Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow #4  
I've got a collection of plow manuals, sales literature, and various parts manuals, MOSTLY covering Massey FErguson, Ford, and Deere plows from the 1950's, '60's, and '70's. When these plows were sold new, the buyer (or the dealer) would decide what configuration was needed, and assemble a plow from "bundles", or groups of parts. Generally, these would consist of a main frame as a bundle, individual bottoms (of varying types) and additional (ie, 3rd) bottom frame components. Your plow, as a base model, was a 2-bottom plow. But, a dealer could have ordered the plow (shipped unassembled) with a 3rd bottom "bundle" and assembled it as such. There are RARE instances where even the Ford "N"'s were capable of pulling a 3-bottom plow. (Usually in sandly, loose soils ONLY) So a plow of that description was available through Ford dealers back then.
 
   / Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow #5  
I have a Dearborn plow that I was going to sell but after I did some research I think I have decided to restore it and use it. This plow was my father-in-laws that I inherited. All the research I have done, which is not a lot but all the model 10-156's have two bottom plows on them. Mine has three. Was that a add on or did it have the same model number. It all looks factory. Another thing, I am ignorant as to what the parts are called on a plow. Is there a parts list that I can go to to educate me? Another thing, I was thinking about discarding the third plow and making it a two bottom one, would that be wise? I don't think my 1050 JD will handle the three bottom plow. Any help will be appreciated. By the way this is my first post on here as I am a newbie but from what I have read I am really enjoying this forum.

Thanks,
Tome

Before you plunge into this project, I'd suggest you carefully determine which parts need replacement. You'd be surprised at the cost of some of the pieces.

For example, my old JD 2-14 plow needs new shares.

DSCF0154 (Small).JPG

It has JD #217 share on it now.

DSCF0131 (Small).JPG

Here's a photo of one of the worn 217 share. The cheapest replacement I've found so far costs $170. Talk about sticker shock.
 
   / Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow #6  
Before you plunge into this project, I'd suggest you carefully determine which parts need replacement. You'd be surprised at the cost of some of the pieces.

For example, my old JD 2-14 plow needs new shares.

View attachment 138927

It has JD #217 share on it now.

View attachment 138926

Here's a photo of one of the worn 217 share. The cheapest replacement I've found so far costs $170. Talk about sticker shock.

Flusher, If I were you, I'd be looking for another Deere plow from a SLIGHTLY later era as a parts donor. Not even a GOOD plow, just one where you could rob a pair of frogs from a plow that was set up to use "economy" bottoms with separate share/shin/moldboard. Then swap frogs, install new "HSS" wear parts and go on with life. You'll probably spend roughly the same amount, but at least you'll have ready access to new wear parts going forward. Your plow is the EXACT same as a 415, 416, or 416A OTHER THAN the bottoms.

Last set I bought, shares for the HSS bottoms are around $15, shins about $12, and moldboards were $110. I'm sure they went up some in 2 years, but still in range considering $170 for the cast shares......... Valu_Bilt has the HSS parts, as well as several other sources.

You can go even "later" and find a junker plow from the 60's and 70's with "NU" bottoms and swap to those frogs. Same bolt pattern (frog to beam)
 
   / Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow #7  
Flusher, If I were you, I'd be looking for another Deere plow from a SLIGHTLY later era as a parts donor. Not even a GOOD plow, just one where you could rob a pair of frogs from a plow that was set up to use "economy" bottoms with separate share/shin/moldboard. Then swap frogs, install new "HSS" wear parts and go on with life. You'll probably spend roughly the same amount, but at least you'll have ready access to new wear parts going forward. Your plow is the EXACT same as a 415, 416, or 416A OTHER THAN the bottoms.

Last set I bought, shares for the HSS bottoms are around $15, shins about $12, and moldboards were $110. I'm sure they went up some in 2 years, but still in range considering $170 for the cast shares......... Valu_Bilt has the HSS parts, as well as several other sources.

You can go even "later" and find a junker plow from the 60's and 70's with "NU" bottoms and swap to those frogs. Same bolt pattern (frog to beam)

Ah, FWJ, great minds run in similar channels (or ruts).

I was thinking the same thing after I saw how inexpensive some of the more modern plow parts are compared to those oldies.

Wish I had my grandpa's blacksmithing skills (and equipment). I spent lotsa hours as a lad (late 1940s) in his shop in Auburndale, WI watching him repoint worn plowshares. He used sections of old worn out rasps (the type farriers use, IIRC), forge welded half of the rasp one side of the share, bent the repair piece 180 deg, forge welded the other end of the rasp to the other side of the share, pounded the new point approximately to shape and finished the repair on the bench grinder.

Another possibility is arc welding with hard facing rod to build up the worn areas and grinding to shape. I may give this a shot on one of those old spare shares just for grins.
 
   / Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow #8  
The original poster may only need to clean up his plow and give it a good shine while plowing....followed by a little paint and proper storage.....who knows? A few pics would help clarify things here.

Many of these little plows may show a bit of wear....but who is going to plow 100's of acres with 'em anymore? For most peoples needs - a little wear isn't going to hurt anything and a somewhat worn plow will last a long, long time at 2 to 5 acres a year (IMHO).

Also, some of these little plows can still be found with little wear on 'em.....if you look long enough (at least around here). I'd try to find one where you don't have to replace everything - unless you like bending wenches and spending money. ;)

Also, taking one bottom off may give you 1/2 of the replacement parts you need for the other two.
 
   / Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow #9  
The original poster may only need to clean up his plow and give it a good shine while plowing....followed by a little paint and proper storage.....who knows? A few pics would help clarify things here.

Many of these little plows may show a bit of wear....but who is going to plow 100's of acres with 'em anymore? For most peoples needs - a little wear isn't going to hurt anything and a somewhat worn plow will last a long, long time at 2 to 5 acres a year (IMHO).

Also, some of these little plows can still be found with little wear on 'em.....if you look long enough (at least around here). I'd try to find one where you don't have to replace everything - unless you like bending wenches and spending money. ;)

Also, taking one bottom off may give you 1/2 of the replacement parts you need for the other two.

Yep! (to all the above)

If I'm fixing up a plow to re-sell, I look for GOOD used plows with minimal wear, then AVOID replacing iron. That's a big buzz kill when it comes to turning one around to make a buck.

If I'm fixing up a plow for my own use, I tend to "bend and spend". ;)
 
   / Dearborn Model 10-156 Plow #10  
I was lucky to come across a 10-156 Dearborn 2 bottom 14" plow a couple of years ago. I cleaned it up, repainted it and it works great!
Good luck with yours.
-Len
 

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