The art of plowing

[N80]

I think the Deere and the International are hydraulic but I don't see hydraulics on the Massey (but the picture is not very good.)

Of the ones I've been able to find, the Massey looks the best for the type of work I'd like to do. The International looks like it would require a whole lot more tractor than most of us have. The JD looks very manageable but not as compact as the Massey.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

There are also other ways. Take a strip one way and another offset strip going back. The strips being separated by a reasonable turning/separation distance. When the strips meet up a new strip is started.

That leaves a "dead furrow" when they meet.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I think the Deere and the International are hydraulic but I don't see hydraulics on the Massey (but the picture is not very good.)

Of the ones I've been able to find, the Massey looks the best for the type of work I'd like to do. The International looks like it would require a whole lot more tractor than most of us have. The JD looks very manageable but not as compact as the Massey.

Keep in mind you're only seeing a very limited view of the reversable plows that have been built over the years. Most every plow maker had their versions. Most had mechanical roll-over operation at one point. (remote hydraulics weren't always as common as in recent years) Ferguson, Massey Harris, then Massey Ferguson had a very functional 2 and/or 3-bottom mounted 2-way plow that operated without a hydraulic cylinder. So did Ford, Deere, IH, Allis Chalmers, Oliver, Cockshutt, ect....

Also keep in mind that they were VERY common the farther west you went in the US. Most easterners aren't too familiar with them.

The Massey Ferguson model you have pictured is probably one of the better designs in recent years, resulting in it's being one of the more POPULAR reversable plows in the US during that time. It's a really good plow.

 

[N80]

Also keep in mind that they were VERY common the farther west you went in the US. Most easterners aren't too familiar with them.

I think that's why I've never seen one, not that I've been hunting one....but I do look at the state Market Bulletin and local dealers for used stuff and have never laid eyes on one. I've seen tons of them with more than 2 bottoms on the internet and even a fair number of those here out east, usually with 5 bottoms or more. Its the 2 bottom versions that I'd never seen outside of Europe. I really do think that the 'food plot' crowd would like them if they knew they existed. I think that Massey 55 just looks perfect.

As far as dead furrows go, that is not a major issue when doing my food plots since I usually disk after plowing. The plowing is mostly to prepare a deeper seed bed and to turn the turf over. Many, if not most food plots are broadcast rather than row planted.

Nevertheless, being able to roll the plow over and go back and forth is still better (and more precise) than going in a circle and meeting in the middle where you get not just a dead furrow but a bit of a mess (in my case).

And think about that Massey 55 or that JD. A new Leinback 2-14 or the KK version (same thing) runs about $700 (I think). That JD is only $250 more, the Massey about double. I think that is very reasonable especially since the older ones will probably plow better than the new one anyway.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I think that's why I've never seen one, not that I've been hunting one....but I do look at the state Market Bulletin and local dealers for used stuff and have never laid eyes on one. I've seen tons of them with more than 2 bottoms on the internet and even a fair number of those here out east, usually with 5 bottoms or more. Its the 2 bottom versions that I'd never seen outside of Europe. I really do think that the 'food plot' crowd would like them if they knew they existed. I think that Massey 55 just looks perfect.

As far as dead furrows go, that is not a major issue when doing my food plots since I usually disk after plowing. The plowing is mostly to prepare a deeper seed bed and to turn the turf over. Many, if not most food plots are broadcast rather than row planted.

Nevertheless, being able to roll the plow over and go back and forth is still better (and more precise) than going in a circle and meeting in the middle where you get not just a dead furrow but a bit of a mess (in my case).

And think about that Massey 55 or that JD. A new Leinback 2-14 or the KK version (same thing) runs about $700 (I think). That JD is only $250 more, the Massey about double. I think that is very reasonable especially since the older ones will probably plow better than the new one anyway.

A REALLY good, well accomplished "ploughman" can meet back furrows OR dead furrows that are ALMOST impossible to spot after tha plowing is done. Competitive "match ploughing" requires that skill and ability. They have some very interesting techniques to achieve that end result.

And if you're "deep pocketed" enough, and want the VERY best there is, check out these folks!


SAP NetWeaver Portal

 

[Egon]

That leaves a "dead furrow" when they meet.

Many folks did not have three point plows so the headland distance always being equal was a positive thing. Turning pulling a 10 bottom plow takes a little room.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Many folks did not have three point plows so the headland distance always being equal was a positive thing.

By the early 1960's, semi-mounted plows FAR outsold mounted or drawn plows. A semi-mounted plow gives the best of all worlds. It is EXTREMELY easy to "plow out" a dead furrow or the "lands" (headlands) with a semi-mounted plow. Just drop the front of the plow to normal operating depth, then leave the tail wheel at transport position, and you have NO dead furrow. Even a GOOD hydraulic controlled drawn plow is capable of the same results. The more bottoms, the easier and better the results.

In large scale farming, 3-point plows were obsolete for the most part by the early '60's. In most cases, size (# of bottoms) was too limited with 3-point plows.

 

[Oleozz]

Here is a pic of my semimount IH. It's a very easy plow to use, much easier than the small two bottom Howse that I have. To me it's a thrill to look back and see about 6 ft of ground being turned over.

 

[rback33]

Man Oleozz. Your making me jealous. I have not pulled a big plow in AGES. Last time I did was about 7 years ago when I was helping a guy out during the evenings one summer. Real picky guy and he even let me fill the dead furrows myself. Like FWJ says... if done right you can never tell they are there.

 

[3RRL]

Questions:
Say you are using the plow to do a small food plot that is a rectangle or square surrounded by trees.
So not knowing anything about plowing, you drive from one end to the other. You have to stop or crash into the trees, leaving a tractor's length of un-plowed earth. Using the flip over plow, what do you do at the end of the furrow? Turn the tractor and back up next to end of the furrow you just did, but all the way to the tree line? Then plow in the opposite direction until you hit that tree line? Seems to me there would be a dead spot at the end of each furrow that way? Am I wrong there?
Using a conventional plow and assuming there is enough room to turn the tractor (which you need anyway), plowing in a "circle" would only leave corners of the rectangle un-plowed, right? Or you could back up to the corner and plow at a 90 degree angle to get all four corners and after that continue with the circular plowing?
Which would leave less un-plowed earth on a small plot?
I'm asking...