4 bottom plow

[Bob Ha]

We have two tractors on our place and was wondering if either or both would handle a 4 bottom plow? Both tractors are 62 hp at the PTO. Kubota M7040 4WD and NH TN75 2WD. Looking to create a fire lane around our place and burn a few fields. thanks, BH

 

[Reg]

I would guess yes, but I don't know your soil conditions or what you will run into.
Mention of a "Fire break" suggests to me that you might be working close to trees and could run into roots.
I don't think of 4 bottom plows as land CLEARING tools.
If you already have it, might as well try it.

 

[art]

I'd think that with the four wheel drive you should be fine. Ground speed might not be like a 100 horsepower tractor but it can be done.

 

[Bob Ha]

I would guess yes, but I don't know your soil conditions or what you will run into.
Mention of a "Fire break" suggests to me that you might be working close to trees and could run into roots.
I don't think of 4 bottom plows as land CLEARING tools.
If you already have it, might as well try it.

Soil is sandy loam and will probably hit clay in some areas. Creating fire lanes so I can burn some fields that have sand burrs. I need the lanes to stop the fires from getting into my neighbors property. We have 170 acres and plan on burning around 30. This will be our first time doing this... makes me nervous. Once the burn is complete we will plow the entire fields and sprig with Midland 99 Bermuda.

 

[HCJtractor]

I pull a 3 bottom with my M 6800 4 wd without any problem. I think you will be fine with a 4 bottom. I agree that roots (or rocks) may be a problem and assuming you have trip bottoms (either shear pins or trip springs), you will be tripping the bottoms if you hit roots, with the possibility of damage to the plow. (don't ask me how I learned this lesson) So be careful and go slowly. When I plow around trees, even a 2" root will trip the bottom. You may be better off with some other piece of equipment to clear these fire lanes, if there are trees along the way. If there are no trees, the plow should work. Just be sure to bush hog the lanes as short as you can first. A plow does not work well if there is a lot of vegetation to clog up the bottoms. Sounds like a dozer may do this quicker and more cleanly. Good luck!! Keep water and a pump at hand.

 

[Egon]

There was a time when two wheel drive tractors with mid 40's HP. pulled four bottom plows on a daily basis.

 

[Bob Ha]

My dad was telling me he plowed 500 aces with a two bottom plow using a Ford 8N (24hp). That was in 1949-1950 and he said the dirt he plowed was basicly sand. He didn't say how long it took... probably a week or two at 16 hours a day. He said goverment paid the farmers to turn their land.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

If your soil is as you say you can do it as long as you don't have a lot of tree roots or stumps. I pull a 4-16 with a 120 hp 2wd tractor (originally was 87 hp and it would still pull it). My soils are a mix of loam and clay and if the soil is at the right moisture you didn't know the plow was there, too wet or too dry and you knew it. I had to put new tires on my 2wd though as I didn't always have the option to wait till the soil was perfect and needed to put better tires on to deal with imperfect conditions. If your FWA tractor has decent tires you should be fine although not set any speed records.