bottom plowing

TMBRWLF · Feb 10, 2015

New member here with a question on plowing. Tractor has 59 horsepower, looking at plowing options, can l run a 3 bottom or should l stay with a 2? I've heard a minimum of 15hp per bottom, not sure if thats a good guide or not. Unsure of soil type at this time. Any thoughts on this with minimal info? Thanks for the add to the site....

xrsrfn · Feb 10, 2015

Welcome to the forums! You will not have any problem with a three bottom plow with a 59 HP tractor. Ford 3000 would pull a three bottom without any problem at all and it was 47 hp I believe. Plus it was two wheel drive, is yours tractor a 4x4 or front wheel assist?

TMBRWLF · Feb 10, 2015

Hello xrsrfn. The tractor im looking at is a MF1759 won't be ordering for awhile but am looking at attachment & options for this. It's a 4x4 cab model power shuttle.

jeff9366 · Feb 10, 2015

There are an unusual number of good looking three bottom Moldboard Plows for sale on eBay at the moment.

LINK: three bottom plow | eBay

RaydaKub · Feb 10, 2015

Our old Case 730 was rated at 67 hp if I recall, and it would pull 4-14's all day. There were also 16 and 18 inch bottoms then as well. So keep the size in mind when you buy also. Happy shopping and welcome to TBN.

TMBRWLF · Feb 10, 2015

Thanks guys. Think l'll look for a 3x14 when the time comes. Now to the kitchen. I smell homemade bread.....

xzcVAbc5 · Feb 10, 2015

Dad has a JD2440 which is around 60 hp with a FEL. With a 2-16 plow all the way in the ground the tractor will lose traction even with the wheels locked. Tires are not loaded nor does it have wheel weights.

The ground is clay after 6" of topsoil.

2458n · Feb 10, 2015

Grandfather's Jubilee 1953 model pulled 3 bottom. Plows should be cheap as most got retired around here when scrap got high. 2 bottoms were spared for gardens. Three and fours became history.

Turbys_1700 · Feb 11, 2015

Rule of thumb is 1 HP per inch of plow...
That HP is drawbar...
Gross HP is typically 15% higher than PTO HP which is typically 10-12% higher than drawbar HP...
We pulled 3-16's with D17 Allis Chalmers here in the NC Piedmont clay...
Those tractors were rated for 4-16's but here that clay made a difference...
Those tractors were rated at 48 drawbar so 3-16's were optimal...
At 59 HP your drawbar HP is gonna be in the 46 to 48 range...
You should be able to handle 3-16's in clay...