Another "PLOW" question

pharmvet · Mar 8, 2010

Ok, you guys talked me out of my neighbors plow (good advice I think). I happened to run across a new Leinback 2 bottom at a local implement sale. Looks well built. I like the idea of buying a new product that has parts readily available. I also like buying American Made. Would I be going wrong to purchase this brand "Leinbach"?? I noticed it did not have any coulters, nor did it have a "furrow wheel" Are these necessary? Would it be silly to pull a 2 bottom behind an 87 HP tractor, or should I hold out for a 3 bottom? What are your thoughts? thanks

beenthere · Mar 8, 2010

Had to go back to read the old thread (could have continued the discussion there

).

Why did you get talked out of the "neighbors" plow?

Do you have ag tires to pull the 2-bottom or 3-bottom plows?

Do you not have a need for coulters and a furrow wheel?

Full of questions, so we don't lead you astray.

Do you have a pic of the Leinbach plow you are looking at locally?

There are adjustments on the old plows that are missing on the new ones. I'm guessing that might be because new users don't know what the adjustments are for, so don't need them. Maybe the same reasoning for leaving off the coulters and the furrow wheel.

Used to be plows had to do a good job, or they were not used.

A well-plowed field was something to be proud of, back in the day (kind of like straight rows of planted corn).

pharmvet · Mar 8, 2010

Yes, I suppose I should have continued the discussion there. Was afraid it was too old to be read again and really wanted information specific to Leinbach. It seems that most felt the plow was in need of too much TLC for the price. Regarding coulters and wheels, Im really not sure how important they are because Ive never used a plow in my life. Just want to tinker with food plots and have been only discing them for the past 20 years. Seems that Leinbach is one of the very few companies still making plows at all. anyway, sorry for the new post. If anyone knows how, please move it to the original.

HCJ · Mar 8, 2010

My opinion, I would hold out for a good old Ford plow as the parts are easily available. It is better made than the Leinbach. I would also get a three bottom instead of the two (maybe even a four bottom, but they are harder to find) I pulled a two bottom with my 70 horse Kubota and sold it and got a three. It speeds thing up as you plow a wider path. Your big tractor will handle this easily. THe disadvantage of a tractor your size is that it makes it easier to damage the plow. If you snag a rock or root, and if the trip doesn't work quickly, you can bend the frame very quickly. I learned this the hard way (twice) with a plow without trip protection. The coulters are nice if you are plowing a something with a tough root system as it slices the "sod" first so that the moldboard wil easily lift it and flip it. Makes for neater plowing but is not absolutely necessary. Mine does not have these. The rear rolling landside (the little wheel on the rear) helps the plow track straight by countering the lateral pressure the moldboards apply. I think it does help. Be patient, even around here where plows are scarce, I see them fairly regularly. I think your tractor will overpower the light duty Leinbach.

pharmvet · Mar 8, 2010

HCJ, what specific model Ford plow would you recommend? Also, when you say parts are still available, where can they be found? thanks

HCJ · Mar 8, 2010

I think the model is a Ford 101 but I believe they were made under the name of Ford or Oliver or Pittsburg. They are all similar. Some Deere plows are nice also, but most oldtimers like the Fords. I paid $400 for a beat up one and got really carried away with restoring it but it was fun. Probably put another $400 in it but I replaced everything. Shares, Shins, and moldboards are pretty easy to find, but the landsides on the old ones are almost impossible to locate. They could be made pretty easily by a welding shop however. But try to find one with reasonable wear on the landsides and make sure they are not so worn that the frog has been dragging and has worn. Replacing shares and shins is simple and cheap. Moldboards are a little more expensive. Check out Sweet Farm Equipment Co.,Disc Mowers, Compact Tractors,Implements, Ship Nationwide Daily where they have a bunch listed. Look at plow # 065. Do not get one like this!! It has no protection and this was my $400 mistake. Instead look at #43 and 29 and others listed with "trip shanks" That is what you want.

Where do you live?

HCJ · Mar 8, 2010

And check out two threads on plows that might help. one by gwdixon "ford 101 plow" and the other by TNhobbyfarmer "Ford 101 plow"

I can also e-mail you some pictures of my restoration if you wish. It shows the Ford 101 broken down into components. Have you checked Craigslist?

slowzuki · Mar 9, 2010

I've been looking as well, we have a 2 furrow Kongslide but its ridiculous behind a 100 hp massey. I've pulled it with my 50 hp Kubota and is doesn't notice it but its an HST tractor and the R-4 tires aren't set right for plowing.

I was trying to find an on-land 5 furrow but they apparently are a real stretch for only 100 hp.

From my searches:
-david brown plows pull nice, are cheap, but parts are unavailable
-Kneverland is king of plows now and you pay accordingly.
-Trip plows are needed in my rocky soils
-If you are willing to spray, the chisel plow is likely a better way to go.
-Old small frame Cat 1 plows will get horribly destroyed behind a big tractor, they are meant for a machine that will just barely pull them. Match headstock to tractor.
-Hydraulic resets are cheaper than spring resets and are more expensive to fix.

JasG · Mar 11, 2010

pharmvet said:
Ok, you guys talked me out of my neighbors plow (good advice I think). I happened to run across a new Leinback 2 bottom at a local implement sale. Looks well built. I like the idea of buying a new product that has parts readily available. I also like buying American Made. Would I be going wrong to purchase this brand "Leinbach"?? I noticed it did not have any coulters, nor did it have a "furrow wheel" Are these necessary? Would it be silly to pull a 2 bottom behind an 87 HP tractor, or should I hold out for a 3 bottom? What are your thoughts? thanks

How much land are you going to plow each year and what is the soil type? Are you going from sod to something or corn? Are you going to be plowing the same soil every year or rotating a crop? Is the soil rocky or high in clay?

Coulters are very nice with everything, the only time you don't really need them is with a corn field that has been chopped. When set right they reduce wear on the plow and make for a nicer looking job. The job of the coulter is to slice through trash and make a nice clean cut for the plow to flip over. Without coulters if you have a lot of trash you have to disk 2 or 3 times to cut it up or the plow plug up.

87 hp depending on soil and how often you are going to plow a 3 or 4 btm would be much better than a 2.

I have used Ford/Oliver/White, IH, and older John Deere. I love the Ford spring reset plows, they pull nice, and are very well built and parts are easy to get. IH is also easy to pull and easy to get parts for, but seem light duty when you get to the 4 btm and larger models. John Deere, as much as I love Deere I don't like the plows. From what I have read in sandy soil they work well, but here it's a clay soil and they pull hard. 6 years ago we went from a 4 btm JD to a 4 btm ford and I can pull in some cases 2 gears higher.