Year 2, more plow setup issues

[countrybumpkin]

As for wear spots, it would be any place they are connected and not lubed, such as the pins and the screw shaft for the leveling arm. The more hours on a machine the more of a issue you may have with worn parts. As for the plow setting higher in the front , that will cause the plow to want to ride toward the top of the soil, if you had the front lower than the rear it would want to suck itself down to much into the soil.

 

[Egon]

What are the current results with your plow? How is it acting in the soil?

 

[Mearntain]

What are the current results with your plow? How is it acting in the soil?

As of now, I've still got nowhere, it's mostly acting like a snow plow right now, just pushing the top layer of dirt down the field.

The rear begins to suck down and the front mostly rides the top of soil, and the rear eventually pops up. Soil seems to be perfect condition for plowing, not too wet not too dry. If you dig up some soil, it will make a ball of dirt, but easily falls apart and doesn't leave muddy residue on your hands.

 

[Mearntain]

As for wear spots, it would be any place they are connected and not lubed, such as the pins and the screw shaft for the leveling arm. The more hours on a machine the more of a issue you may have with worn parts. As for the plow setting higher in the front , that will cause the plow to want to ride toward the top of the soil, if you had the front lower than the rear it would want to suck itself down to much into the soil.

When I I was talking about the plow sitting with the front higher off the ground, I was talking about before setting the tires in the furrow. Imy really thinking this play/slop is related to my issue. In my mind, the plows should hold the same orientation to each other regardless of whether position control is fully lifted, or position control fully lowered. If I lower position control all the way down while sitting on level ground, both plows go all the way down to the ground, instead of the front plow halting it's descent to the ground as soon as the rear plow touches this ground . (This is not while trying to plow in the field, this is while sitting on concrete)

 

[countrybumpkin]

When I I was talking about the plow sitting with the front higher off the ground, I was talking about before setting the tires in the furrow.)

ok is this still with both left tires on the blocks? If so then it's still out of adjustment. Are you you lowering the position control completely and letting all the weight of the plow set on the floor? If so don't , with both tires on blocks, lower the plow until it's just a 1/8" or 1/4" off the floor and level it side to side and front to back that way. If you have that much slop in your arms and such then that is not helping you problem any.

As for you plow holding the same alignment raised as lowered, that all depends on the geometry of your lift arm and top link mounting points on your tractor and plow.

 

[LD1]

If the plow is set properly, when you are on level ground and lower the plow, yes the front will be higher.

IF you are standing back looking at the rear of the tractor, the plow should look tilted with the left side lower. (this accounts for the furrow). This makes the right side, which is the side the front gang is on, appear higher.

Like I said, you cannot make assumptions or adjustments based on first pass results. Because you arent in a furrow yet. So the front gang wont cut well at all on the first pass. And sometimes even the second pass isnt to full depth yet because you still have yet to get the rear gang at full depth and establish the furrow.

You may need to try some in the field adjustments. Shortening the toplink will pitch the plow down a bit and make it cut deeper, but at the same time it raises the rear gang also. So to compensate, as you shorten the toplink, also shorten the right sidelink to get back to level.

Plowing is an art. How much area are you plowing and perhaps you would be better served with a single bottom plow as they are far easier to get good results with.

And how about some in-the-field pics of just what you have going on?

 

[countrybumpkin]

And how about some in-the-field pics of just what you have going on?

This would HELP a bunch, get some from the side view too, and not real close up either, get some 10-15 ft away so we can get a overall look at what you have going on. If you said before , sorry but I missed it, is the plow in good shape? No bent or twisted beams or anything? As for taking a pass or two to get a good furrow started, in small areas using a new setup, I've even started the first pass with the plow leveled with all four tires on level ground, just have to readjust for setting in the furrow from there on.

 

[M5farms]

I cant tell you exactly how to set it because I've always been one to just tweek and adjust till it turns like it supposed to. Unless I missed it what are you trying to turn?? and how has that been prepared for plowing. heavy sod will need to be disked in order to get it turned proper.

 

[countrybumpkin]

and how has that been prepared for plowing. heavy sod will need to be disked in order to get it turned proper.

Not sure we're you came up with that at?

 

[LD1]

Not sure we're you came up with that at?

Agreed.

Disc'd or freshly tilled ground dont turn as well. The soil has to hold together.