Is there a right or wrong type of plow?

[johnrex62]

I have never farmed or used any ground engaging implements other than a boxblade ripper. I have been reading recommendations about using a plow to breakup the ground before running a tiller for a garden. I have always used a troybilt horse tiller on virgin ground when starting gardens and am wondering about the ins and out of plow usage now.

What is the practical difference between a mouldboard plough and a disc plow? How does a middlebuster differ in it's use? Can someone give me a practical, real-world primer on what type of plow to pick for specific uses, which are interchangeable and which are not? why should I choose or avoid a type of plow for a small garden application? At this point I am not concerned with large acreage applications or massive agricultural tasks, most I am interested in what the plow does, how it is beneficial to ground prep and what one type provides in an end result over another type.

Keep it simple and as practical as possible. The theoretical and scientific explanations will be lost on my simple mind at this point. :ashamed:

 

[bp fick]

The Middle buster slices through the ground, turning the soil equally in both directions.
The share plow turns over the sod/soil, flipping it continuously, as you plow, in the same direction. This effectively turns the top sod or organic stubble over, burying it.
The disc is a gang of rotating blades. These are set on an angle and this slicing, dicing action cuts and rips the soil.

Each have their place.

The cheap, simple way to go is to use a middle buster, because it also has other applications around a homestead, to trench. But the followup must be either a disc or a roto-tiller. The tiller does not have capacity to go anywhere near as deep as a middle buster. The MB can really go deep, 10-12 inches, breaking up the harder soil beneath.

There is no ONE right way. I'll attach some photos later.

 

[bp fick]

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Here is a garden that was "virgin" sod 4 years ago, we when took this property. The middle buster did a fine job of ripping it up, down to 12" deep.

 

[bp fick]

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This is a middle buster, of course. It serves as my trench maker for planting rows of some things and also is my potato digger extraordinaire. Wouldn't be without it.

Next is my field cultivator which is a kind of C tine drag, I can lift it on my three point. Wouldn't be without it either.

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Finally, this is my disc. A relatively recent addition. This really is a wonderful tool for chopping up the garden in fall and slicing up all the rubble. It really speeds the breakdown of these materials.

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[bp fick]

Finally, there is no better site, in my opinion, than (Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure) to learn how these things work and might work in concert, their differences and what they are intended to do.

Ted has an instructional video series that are entirely enjoyable to watch. He demonstrates just about every attachment they sell, which is a bunch. I highly recommend a rainy day or cool evening of watching these videos. Frankly, I've been market gardening since I was a kid, and grew up doing this stuff on small tractors like the Massey Harris Pony and 8N, and Farmall Cubs, but I get a complete kick out watching these videos.

Ted should have been nominated for a Emmy or Oscar or what award is given for this type of small video making. Yup, they are just that good. :thumbsup:

 

[bullbreaker]

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Here is a garden that was "virgin" sod 4 years ago, we when took this property. The middle buster did a fine job of ripping it up, down to 12" deep.

Neats pics,work,etc ! Thanks for shareing info.
Question cause that section of land in pic #1 looks like a piece on my property : Did you put that garden over under ground utility(s) ?

Boone

 

[bp fick]

Neats pics,work,etc ! Thanks for shareing info.
Question cause that section of land in pic #1 looks like a piece on my property : Did you put that garden over under ground utility(s) ?

Boone

Boone, yes and no. The only thing underground is the power feed to our home. It is two feet down. I can't reach it with implements, not even the MB.

Gardening, pastures, crops in general under the power lines is the best thing to do, frankly. The land owners own the land, but covenants with the power company allow them access, of course. The power company will not allow any trees to grow under the lines and that is in the covenant. If the landowner does not at least bush hog the land, they will and will use powerful "Agent Orange" type chemicals. Most land owners do not want that, as we are on wells here, of course. Better to use it as pasture or farming, and the power company agrees whole heartedly.

 

[milkman]

This works really well for me, and lot of enjoyment.



Plowing the garden with BX2200 - YouTube

 

[nybirdman]

Your manual should tell what your tractor can handle.I.E. 2/12 bottom plow ect.As stated a "middle buster" is a inexpensive investment with may uses.If possible break your new ground in the fall.My spring routine is (on food plots) bush-hog all standing plots,plow(I have a old 2/12) roto-till,plant and drag.

 

[Don87]

As others have stated, using a middlebuster, then a tiller will work fine. It's what I do also.