joed3320
Member
How do I find a used plow for my 3320 in Vermont I watch Craigs list.Not sure if I need one with a cutting disc before the plow,12"or14"?
2 bottom plow
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BobG_in_VA
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2003
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- 2,027
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- Central VA, USA
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- Mahindra 6000 MWFD, 2 1950's Farmalls, 1974 Farmall 140, 1967 Mf 135Delux
Welcome guys....suggest you fill out your personal profile...ie. where are you, what type of tractor you will be using, etc. I've got a couple plows here in VA that maybe available, a one bottom Ferg and and a 2 bottom 10-8 Dearborn that I re-did...but not knowing where you are etc. leaves a lot to the imagination...BobG in VA
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
...Had a grandson tell me once I was a "historical artifact"....
Here we go....As a general rule, MOST plows are designed to plow @ a depth of 1/2 their width (+ or - 1"). (ie. 12" plows @ 6" deep, with exceptions, 5" to 7" --- A 14" plow @ 7", range from 6" to 8" ---- 16" plows @ 8" deep ranging from 7" to 9") With smaller tractors (hp & weight/available traction) tailoring a plow to the tractor can be critical. It's very easy to get "too much plow".
Plow much deeper than a specific plow is designed for and sod/plowed strip tends not to want to roll completely over. To a certain extent, wider plows don't suffer as much from not plowing as deep as they are intended, with-in reason of course.
Now, a typical 2 X 12" plow will be moving dirt 24" wide and 6" deep. A 2 X 14" plow will be moving dirt 28" wide and 7" deep. (144 sq in vs 196) Also worth considering, 3 X12" plows cut 216 sq in as opposed to a 2 X 16" plow moving 256 sq in.....so THREE bottoms moves less dirt than TWO in that case. Throw in for good measure the fact that OFTEN, the deeper you plow, the harder the soil, the harder the plow pulls. In the end, 12" plows pull easier in most conditions. You just don't get the depth with them.
12" plows roll a smaller slice of dirt/sod. Some old timeres used to say you shouldn't turn sod with a plow any bigger than 12". Bigger plows leave the surface too rough....Can't say as I always buy into that theory, but, can't argue with the old timers (although sons and grandsons often do....)
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
Watch Craigslist, EBAY, local newspaper classifieds, and internet tractor forum classifieds as starters. Watch for consignment sales and estate auctions too. Single bottom mounted plows are fairly scarce in the used market. 2-bottom are fairly common. 3-bottom plows can often be had for LESS than a 2-bottom (based on demand) and can EASILY be reduced to a 2-bottom by simply removing un-needed parts.
It's a long standing arguement about the need for coulters on a plow ("as you refer to them as "cutting disc".) I won't own a plow WITHOUT. Plow in corn stalks or any significant surface crop residue and you'll understand why they're on a plow. I've always though they help considerably when plowing sod.
Plow width is determined by several factors. How much plow can your tractor pull? (HP and traction????) How deep do you need to plow? (You shouldn't try to plow 9" deep with a 12" plow) Soil conditions have a great deal to do with plow selection. Someone more familiar with your tractor and your local soil conditions could probably best advise you in that regard.
Thanks for the good info.
flusher
Super Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2005
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- Sacramento
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- Getting old. Sold the ranch. Sold the tractors. Moved back to the city.
I found this vintage 2-14 John Deere on craigslist. Cut a deal at $250.
It's a heavy dude. I use it with my 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto). I haven't tried it on my 1964 Massey Ferguson 135 diesel (45 hp engine, 37 hp pto) but with ag tires that should be enough hp to pull it.
Get one with coulters (the cutting discs). If you need them, you have them.
So what does determine how deep you need to plow? Crop type, soil type, wet / dry, other? Some combination of all of the above?
Surface to rough for what? If the old-timers say you never need a plow bigger than 12" then under what circumstance would you want to use something bigger?
I'm new to this. Just trying to figure it all out.
Egon
Epic Contributor
With the advent of new larger plows The depth considerations of the past may no longer apply. Would one want to plough 11 inches deep with a plow that has 22 in. wide cutting width.
Flatheadyoungin
Veteran Member
good thread.......two rookie questions....you've answered my other questions...
how do you tell that the plow points are worn out? i've looked at every plow i have come across the last year and some are long and narrow and some are flattened....
how do you know if you can or can't get parts for it? does places like tsc carry some stuff.....is most stuff universal?
thanks for all the help....i've been looking too....
how do you tell that the plow points are worn out? i've looked at every plow i have come across the last year and some are long and narrow and some are flattened....
how do you know if you can or can't get parts for it? does places like tsc carry some stuff.....is most stuff universal?
thanks for all the help....i've been looking too....