2 bottom plow Q's

[GSS]

2 bottom plow Q\'s

I really need to get a small plow for the garden this year to complement my tiller. I've been looking for a decent one in the ads and auctions, but to no avail. Have any of you ever bought a new smaller plow? What brand and how much was it? What size would you suggest for a 30HP tractor and a small <1/2 acre garden? Thanks guys!

- Gerald

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Hello Gerald-We have access to new 2 bottom plows--however--they are not as well built and dont usually have the features as the older plows do.--for your reference-- here is a picture of a MF 2-12 autotrip plow that we have just rebuilt--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

 

[GSS]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

I have never actually used one before, but know I need to do more than till. What features should I look for in a newer or older plow? Would a 3 be too much for 30HP?

Thanks.

- Gerald

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Hello GSS--I would think you would want auto spring trip beams(not shearpin or solid) and coulters and for sure replaceable moldboards,points,shins and landslides--Rolling furrow tailwheel would be nice but not essential--3 bottom would be way too much--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Why don't you just buy a one bottom plow or middle buster? For less than a 1/2 acre garden that will do the job. Then run over it with your tiller. I'm not sure you could pull a two bottom plow anyway with only a 30 hp tractor.

 

[Bird]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

I agree. I suppose if you have the right kind of soil, moisture, etc., a 2-bottom plow might be all right, but I know there was no way a 30hp tractor could have pulled a 2-bottom plow in my clay, wet or dry.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

When I was a young guy we pulled two 14 inch plows through SW PA's clay soil without laboring. We had a Case 300 which I believe had a 40 HP gas engine and weighed about 4000 pounds.

I think there is a good chance that he could pull two 12 inch plows with a 30 HP tractor, especially it is gear drive. One thing about plowing, there is a fair amount of donward force on the rear tires which helps with traction.

I pulled a single 12 inch plow with my 9 HP, 1957 Power King. Plowed many of garden with the PK.

John

 

[Bird]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Yep, John, that old tractor was twice as heavy for traction as the compact tractors now. I used single bottom plows with my B2710 (27hp) and in some cases, just went along pretty easily, but usually had to use 4WD and occasionally the differential lock.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

<font color="red">I know there was no way a 30hp tractor could have pulled a 2-bottom
plow in my clay, wet or dry. </font>

Hi Bird--Contrary to popular belief--usually a 2-12 (24 inch cut) pulls as easy as a 1 bottom 16 inch cut--The 1 bottom plows usually try to take too much land at each cut (18-24 instead of 16 inch) and the more you try to compensate for that on the 3 point, the more you will tend to get the plow off the centerline of the tractor, causing unnecessary pull to the right front of the tractor--The old TO 20 Fergusons and the 8 and 9N Fords use the 2-12 here in heavy red clay based soil with no problem.--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

 

[Bird]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Ken, I'll take your word for it. Of course, I didn't have an opportunity to try a 2-bottom plow with either of my compact tractors, and would not have wanted to try a 16" plow either. I had a 14" middle buster and just a 12" turning plow.

 

[GSS]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Thanks! Know if a "hillside" plow could be used in a typical garden? Saw one in the local ads yesterday...

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Also you're forgetting that 40 hp tractor probably had twice the torque of the 30 hp tractor. I've got a 40 plus hp old AC 45 that will outpull most tractors twice it's horsepower.

 

[RichZ]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

That's right! I use a two bottom plow with my Ferguson TO-20 with no problem!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

In addition to Ken's comments on a 2-bottom plow being more stable than a 1 bottom plow:

Most plows are designed to plow about 1/2 as deep as the bottom is wide. For that reason, they always say a 3-14" plow will pull as easily as a 2-16" plow. While cutting wider, it is throwing less actual dirt. Likewise, a 2-12" plow should really pull easier than a 1-16" plow.

--->Paul

 

[GSS]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Thanks a lot for all the info guys. Ever hear of a 'hillside' plow? Found one in the ads and am wondering if it'll do what I need. $100, so it's worth considering.

 

[Egon]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Those AC 45's were a darn good tractor.

Egon

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Hello--Sounds like a horse drawn plow---My Granddad had one when I was a kid--Ken Sweet

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Hi Rich--20 Ferguson? I bet that some TBN guys may not know that you have a 20 HP 2 wheel drive tractor and coming up on 50 years old and still does what it is called upon to do!!--Looking back on my childhood, I dont know how we farmed 100 acres without Power Steering, Hydrostat,4x4,Live PTO and a Easy Ride Floation Seats. Seems we thought we were ahead of our neighbors because we had a VAC Case with narrow front and new fangled thing called "3 point hitch" and they had a H Farmall or B John Deere with only a belly drawbar to work with.--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

 

[GSS]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

I found a few like that too when I started researching them on the internet, but later found a few 3 point types. The ad said 3 point too.

From what I can gather, it has dual moldboards, but each one faces the opposite direction. Each one can be dropped depending upon which side downhill is when plowing the side of a hill. Try this link for a pic: Hillside plow on an 8N

- G

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: 2 bottom plow Q\'s

Hi G--If the one for $100 is styled like the one in the picture and has not been broke or welded up, you cant go wrong.--Ken Sweet