npalen
Elite Member
I'm not sure if anyone mentioned depth but that can be a large determining factor in the draft requirement of a moldboard. Running any shallower than 6" depth is just "chicken scratchin'".
What size plow
- Thread starter OrangeToys
- Start date
i say a 2 bottom plow i pulled a single with a 21hp case ih it would spin if the rock i hit was 100ibs or heavier i pulled out 300iber with the setup broke shear pins pulling out the big rocks and all you need to know is TOP LINK ADJUSTMENT turn the top link intowards the tractor to go deeper or outwards to bring the plow back out of the ground i wouldnt try a 3 bottom that to much in hard soil and to hit 2 rocks at once
ENG18LT
Platinum Member
I am pulling 2-14s with smooth coulters behind a Mahindra 5530 with little issues. Traction is going to be your biggest battle. I have R1s, loaded, and FEL, weighs in around 9200 lbs. Most of the time 2wd is fine, unless I hit a soft/wet spot. I had looked at the mx5100 when tractor shopping, nice machine, but I was concerned about traction when plowing, discing, pulling logs, etc. Would love to hear how you make out plowing. Best of luck to you.
ENG18LT
Platinum Member
That is correct, and one of the reasons I went with it.
Ted Summey
Platinum Member
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- Feb 22, 2012
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- 729
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- Germanton, NC
- Tractor
- Kubota MX5100F IH McCormick Farmall 140, Massey Ferguson 135
Has the OP mentioned soil type? That will be a big factor! 2 12s or 2 14s is what I recommend.
I have a Kubota MX5100f 2wd gear model. In the red clay here it takes most of 50 hp to pull a 2-14" bottom plow at 6 or 8 inches deep. That's with position and draft control. Lighter soils will plow easier of course. With heavy land you need to have the right amount of moisture for it to turn properly. Too much and you spin because it is wet, too dry and you spin cause the soil is too tight.
I couldn't pull three 14s with the MX5100 in our soil.
I have a Kubota MX5100f 2wd gear model. In the red clay here it takes most of 50 hp to pull a 2-14" bottom plow at 6 or 8 inches deep. That's with position and draft control. Lighter soils will plow easier of course. With heavy land you need to have the right amount of moisture for it to turn properly. Too much and you spin because it is wet, too dry and you spin cause the soil is too tight.
I couldn't pull three 14s with the MX5100 in our soil.
npalen
Elite Member
I recall my Dad's plowing lineup on our Kansas wheat farm consisting of an RD6 CAT pulling a 5x16, an International WD9 Super pulling a 4x16 and a D2 CAT pulling a 3x16. One year we tried adding the 8N Ford with it's 2x14 but it just couldn't "hack it" and the draft control was constantly lifting the 3PT to maintain ground speed. The exhaust ran under the floorboard which would get hot enough to burn your foot and set stubble on fire. We were plowing mostly in wheat stubble but also some summer fallow ground. Light to heavy clay soil and 6" to 8" depth. This was back in the 50's.
Verticaltrx
Veteran Member
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2-14" bottoms is about standard for a 40hp utility tractor. That is about what you should be looking at, 2-16's are probably too much. The only issue is your R4 tires, not great traction at too wide to properly fit in the furrow. Traditionally, most tractors using a 2-14 plow had 12.4 or 13.6 wide tires, 14.9s are ok too, but that's about the limit for a 14" furrow.
OP
OrangeToys
Platinum Member
Forgot yo add that my tires are loaded (about 1,000lbs) with leader. Soil type is a little rocky but the further south you go more rock and bigger.
allen in texas
Platinum Member
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- Oct 26, 2007
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- 916
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- Levelland, TX
- Tractor
- Kubota Grand L 5740, loaded R1's w/640 lbs cast weight, 854 loader
I plowed with r4 tires on my 3240. I never had a traction problem with my two bottom unless I buried it. My tires were loaded. They were on the verge of being too wide. When I traded tractors I went with r1 13.6 x 28. I didn't do it just for plowing, It turns out that most of the stuff I did with my tractor was more suitable for r1 tires. I simply made a mistake when I bought my first tractor in tire choice.
Weight...
The r1s an my 5740 are loaded and I also have 321 pounds per side of cast weight on them and a loader on the tractor. Before I added the weight, I spun on just about everything I did. It was aggravating so I added weight. The tractor will still spin but it pulls a whole lot more before it does and of course it's 4wd. I need to weigh my tractor so I know exactly what it weighs.
It was mentioned that your tires may be a problem. Maybe, maybe not. I know the tires on your tractor are bigger than the r4's I had on my little tractor but I don't know how much. But here is something to consider...
there are large ag tractors that have huge wide tires on them. They are much too wide for the furrow but farmers use them all the time. Doesn't seem to cause a problem.
I say find yourself a good 2 bottom 14 inch plow and make us some videos.
Weight...
The r1s an my 5740 are loaded and I also have 321 pounds per side of cast weight on them and a loader on the tractor. Before I added the weight, I spun on just about everything I did. It was aggravating so I added weight. The tractor will still spin but it pulls a whole lot more before it does and of course it's 4wd. I need to weigh my tractor so I know exactly what it weighs.
It was mentioned that your tires may be a problem. Maybe, maybe not. I know the tires on your tractor are bigger than the r4's I had on my little tractor but I don't know how much. But here is something to consider...
there are large ag tractors that have huge wide tires on them. They are much too wide for the furrow but farmers use them all the time. Doesn't seem to cause a problem.
I say find yourself a good 2 bottom 14 inch plow and make us some videos.