3 bottom plow questions (with pics)

pharmvet · Sep 30, 2014

1) is this a 101 Ford plow?

2) the left and right plow have some sort of angle iron support that the middle does not. Is this factory, or some sort of customization?

3) on the right front portion of the plow near where the lift arm attaches, there is an "ear" with 3 holes into which a j bolt attaches. This appears to be some sort of adjustment for the 3 pt attachment. I've noticed some Ford 101,s with a long hand lever in this location. What is this adjustment used for?

4) does the tail wheel look factory? Does it appear to be properly attached?

5) does this appear to be a 12" or 14"? How exactly do you get that measurement? Which is more desirable and why ?

Any and all information you can share with me about this particular plow and Ford 3 bottom 101's is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Ford850 · Sep 30, 2014

pharmvet said:
1) is this a 101 Ford plow?
2) the left and right plow have some sort of angle iron support that the middle does not. Is this factory, or some sort of customization?
3) on the right front portion of the plow near where the lift arm attaches, there is an "ear" with 3 holes into which a j bolt attaches. This appears to be some sort of adjustment for the 3 pt attachment. I've noticed some Ford 101,s with a long hand lever in this location. What is this adjustment used for?
4) does the tail wheel look factory? Does it appear to be properly attached?
5) does this appear to be a 12" or 14"? How exactly do you get that measurement? Which is more desirable and why ?
Any and all information you can share with me about this particular plow and Ford 3 bottom 101's is greatly appreciated. Thanks

1- Yes
2- I'm not sure about the added angle iron supports. They look like they were customized, but could have been an attachment point for an added option.
3-The ear and j-bolt adjust the 3-pt pins, which will swing the rear of the plow left or right to get proper width of cut. The long handled version is just an easier, quick adjust option.
4- Tail wheel looks factory and correct to me.
5- Measure from top beam to top beam (center to center) to get the width.
Send me a private message with your email address and I'll email you a PDF copy of the owners manual for the 101 plows.

Ford850 · Sep 30, 2014

I sent your manual.
I noticed the plow has coulters and cover boards. Both are getting harder to find on these older plows. Very nice!
Also, you can disassemble and reassemble this as a 2 bottom plow if you only need the smaller size. I did that to one, and it worked well since it was missing a coulter anyway. Works great as a 2 bottom for me.

HCJtractor · Sep 30, 2014

Here is my version of that plow I restored.

HEC · Sep 30, 2014

I have the ford 3 bottom that trips , not sure of the model number . I never thought about making it into a 2 bottom , might be a good idea as my garden keeps getting smaller .

gwdixon · Sep 30, 2014

Ford850 has it pegged. His manual will explain all of the adjustment particulars.

That plow is in excellent shape and all parts seem to be there. The shins and shares look little-used. If I needed one I'd go as high as $600...maybe more.

It looks to be an auto-trip/reset model. There is a hole for greasing the trip mechanism near the top front of the mount. I recommend taking it all apart, cleaning, and regreasing.

Measure the bottom of the share (the part that touches the ground) to determine if it is 12" or 14". Neither is more desirable. Rather, it is what your tractor can pull through the ground you are dealing with.

HCJtractor · Sep 30, 2014

Looks really nice. It's a great plow. Just FYI, when I restored mine , I replaced the mold boards , shares, shins, and landsides , and the rolling landside. I found parts fairly easily except for the landsides. They were a bear to find. But from what I can see this one you posted looks great, so I doubt it needs much. Mine is a shear pin model. Just make sure your trip mechanism works. It would be a shame to damage it when you hit a rock. I break shear pins fairly often.

Have you purchased this? What will you pull it with? I have a 70 horse kubota.

pharmvet · Sep 30, 2014

I am trying to purchase it. Shipping from Illinois to Texas may kill the deal. I have a Ford 7710 FWA and a New Holland TB 110 FWA I'm planning to use to pull this plow. Any suggestions on the shipping?