Middle Buster Problem

[RickH]

Full Disclosure: I'm a newbie to tractors and attachments so please be patient if my ignorance is showing.
Using Kubota L3830 and trying to plow new garden area with old middle buster donated by neighbor. The plow will start digging a furrow just a few inches deep but rides to top of soil after a few feet. Have tried adjusting angle of plow without success. The soil is not very hard due to recent rains. I have seen videos of similar plows digging into ground 12 or more inches deep in what appears to be same soil type.
This plow is probably 25 years old and is different from middle busters I see on the internet & local dealers. The angle of the plow is adjustable and there is a spring mounted on the rear which I assume is a protective feature which acts as a pressure relief if the plow strikes root or rock.
I'm tempted to buy a new middle buster but first would like to hear any advice on what might be the problem.
Could post a picture later if anyone is interested in seeing this antique.

 

[bullbreaker]

Could post a picture later if anyone is interested in seeing this antique.

Post a pic with it attached.YES we are interested in seeing it. Don't buy anything YET ! :thumbsup:

Boone

 

[RickH]

I will post a picture as soon as I get back to the "farm". Should get to take a picture this weekend.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[psdx]

I am wondering about the angle of the implement - as adjusted by the top link. The pictures will be helpful.

 

[sandman2234]

It would seem that top link adjustment could fix this problem, but the O/P said he already adjusted it. Maybe going about the adjustment wrong, who knows? (or maybe I am not as smart as I think I am, lol)
David from jax

 

[bp fick]

I also wonder about the top link adjustment. But, if this plow is different that what we normally envision. we'll have to have more information.

The 3 pt doesn't have down force, so the angle of the plow is what takes it down, of course.

 

[bp fick]

I uploaded these photos, so as to better show how the toplink "adjusts" the plow angle. If the top link is made longer, the effect is to point the plow toward the sky. To shorten the top link is to effectively point the plow downward, deeper into the earth.

No doubt the plow you were using has a trip spring attached which is pretty nifty in tripping the plow rather than risking breaking the plow or stalling the tractor. That's actually a nice feature. Some middle busters use a sacrificial shear pin for the same reason.

 

[Baby Grand]

You may want to try adding some weight to the plow - say 50 t0 100 lbs - enough to push it deep enough into the soil that it "sucks" itself in the rest of the way. Also, dig a hole about 12" deep with a shovel. Make it wide enough to drop the blade into the hole without hitting any soil - this will tell you if you have the 3pt and the plow adjusted so it can sink deep enough. A picture of the plow on the hitch with the hitch position adjustments (on the transmission side) would be very helpful ...

 

[20 20]

I'm not sure I'd add weight just yet, if working proper it should dig right in, sometimes to much. Picutres would be worth a lot?

 

[acme97]

I agree, hold off on weights for now. Soil is soft, so should be just a matter of getting familiar with tool and adjusting toplink.