Advice needed on Taylor Way Pittsburgh 2 bottom plow.

[coss]

I just picked up a Taylor Way Pittsburgh 2 x 14 plow. Most of the ID tag is torn away, so I don't know the specific model.

The price was right: free (more on that later).

It has shear bolts that need to be replaced. Also, it comes with only one coulter and I'd like to get another one someplace.

Questions for the experts:

1. Does anyone know where I can find parts?

2. It looks well-made, but does anyone know if they have a reputation, one way or the other?

3. If I took off the remaining coulter, would it still function to plow a field that hasn't been plowed in many years, but has been bush hogged down to as short as the machine will go?

4. A friend gave it to me, and we are having a reverse auction--he doesn't want any money for it and I feel compelled to pay him what it's worth. So what might it be worth?

Thanks.

 

[jeff9366]

Questions for the experts:

1. Does anyone know where I can find parts?

Which parts? Very few brand specific plow parts are available. Some generic "wear" parts are available but knowing which one will fit the contours of your specific plow can be tricky. Finding a complete second 14" coulter will require dedication.

2. It looks well-made, but does anyone know if they have a reputation, one way or the other?
I do not.

3. If I took off the remaining coulter, would it still function to plow a field that hasn't been plowed in many years, but has been bush hogged short?
Yes, if the soil cutting parts are unbent and reasonably sharp. Do not attempt plowing when soil is hard. Coulters are for cutting crop stubble, you will be OK if grass is short. Plowing every ten years or so will restore some fertility to the field by bringing up fresh nutrients for the crop.
Be aware that adjusting plows and learning how to use them in a field is an advanced implement skill. After plowing you will have 14" furrows in the field. You will need an implement to reduce the furrows, ideally a Disc Harrow with pans at least 20" in diameter.
Determine early if your plow is set up for a Category 1 or Category 2 Three Point Hitch. Most 14" plows are Category 1, but not all.

4. A friend gave it to me. He doesn't want any money for it but I feel compelled to pay him what the plow is worth. So what might it be worth?
Very little demand for old plows, which often end up in scrap yards. You have not posted much info, nor a picture, but $100 might be reasonable.

 

[coss]

Jeff,

Thanks for the reply.

The most desirable part for me would be another coulter assembly. I have the bracket and U-bolt that holds the vertical shaft of the coulter to the beam, but I do not have the shaft or wheel. I may be able to use any coulter of similar size as long as the diameter of the shaft were the same and its bend were roughly similar.

I have used plows before, and am comfortable adjusting them to get a consistent result. The field was pretty overgrown when we bought the property 4 years ago, and I would guess it had not been cut in about 5 years, and it hadn't been plowed for years before that. I have kept it bush hogged for 4 years, so some the tougher underground parts of plants have probably decayed by now. If need be, I could run a finish mower over the area before plowing, and that may reduce the need for coulters if I decide to simply remove the one intact coulter I have.

Thanks again, other opinions are always welcome.

 

[jeff9366]

You should be able to plow without coulters. Plowing should restore the field. How do you intend to reduce the plow furrows?

I would get a soil test and amend the field per soil test results after plowing but before smoothing. Soil test is most worthwhile if you tell tester of your intended crop(s).

 

[jimmysisson]

And what will you do with the field after? Why plow, in other words? Curious.
Jim

 

[Barneyhunts]

I have a Howse plow with coulters and the coulters have a vertical shaft diameter of approximately 1 3/8". If your coulter shaft diameter is similar you might look for a Howse coulter assembly, or a coulter from "Everything Attachments", etc. I'd also suggest that you look at some farm equipment sites to get an idea of what some plows are worth. I'm looking for another and some are pretty pricey. Good luck with it.
Barney

 

[coss]

And what will you do with the field after? Why plow, in other words? Curious.
Jim

Good question, the answer to which I omitted for expediency.

This will be mostly a food plot for deer, however, I'd like to feed and attract other species as well. I have a number of legacy apple trees (near-extinct varieties), and their future is threatened by the decline in bees. Clover would serve double-duty. Alfalfa would add nitrogen back to the soil. Canola would be good for deer, and I like the way it looks.

I have 5 acres available, but that is more than I need. I'll start with about an acre or so. I plan to get the soil tested.

A friend of mine has a tow-behind disc that should work fine to knock down the furrows.

 

[scdeerslayer]

For food plots I wouldn't worry about using a bottom plow. They seem to cause more problems (exposing more weed seed) than anything else. If you need to break the ground before discing just use a chisel plow.

 

[coss]

Here's an update, in case someone else stumbles upon this thread and might find the information useful.

The main number for Taylor Pittsburgh is 205-487-3202. Ask for the Parts Department. The staff there are very helpful.

By working backwards from the serial number on my plow, they told me I have a Model 233 Field General Bottom Plow. The part number for the Coulter Kit is #903001. It retails for $154.81, but it is currently out of stock. They gave me names of dealers within my area, and I can order parts through them if I decide to spend this amount on a part.

Other parts should also be available, but I didn't check on availability.

The upshot is that this is a plow for which parts are available from a solid source. As a result, it might be worth the money to get it back into like-new shape, because it is not an orphan with unavailable parts.

Now that I know what I have, I would be interested in hearing from anyone else who has one to gain their impressions of it.

 

[coss]

Here's another update, so someone else can cut to the chase and find parts with less blind-alley searching than I went through.

I found new shares. Here's how:

1. Go to the Agrisupply website. Search for shares. As others have mentioned, Pittsburgh plows use Oliver-pattern shares.
2. Look at the diagrams, where the bolt hole patterns are measured and documented. Match them to the hole pattern on your existing plow.
3. Call them up and place an order. Don't forget to order bolts. I needed two different sizes. Bolts are cheap. The shares didn't cost much, either.
4. Bolt them on. The new ones fit perfectly.

As for coulters, calls to Taylor Pittsburgh, Howse, and Tractor Supply revealed that all use similar coulters, which are made by a third party that has stopped making them. No one knew when or if they would resume production. So for now, I removed the one coulter that came with my plow, and I'll try it without coulters to see how it performs.