Bought my first garden implement

[Haywire]

Probably not the most useful, but definitely the least expensive ($139). Got a Countyline Potato Plow (middle buster). Guess I'm planting potatoes this year. LOL I was jonesing for something garden oriented to pull with the tractor and the 48" tiller I really wanted wasn't going to get past the accountant. This'll have to do for now.

Ian

 

[Luremaker]

Probably not the most useful, but definitely the least expensive ($139). Got a Countyline Potato Plow (middle buster). Guess I'm planting potatoes this year. LOL I was jonesing for something garden oriented to pull with the tractor and the 48" tiller I really wanted wasn't going to get past the accountant. This'll have to do for now.

Ian

Great buy! I have the same plow and use it far more than I thought I would.

 

[bp fick]

It's how I work my gardens and do trench composting in fall, and dig potatoes too. Wouldn't be without it.

 

[Haywire]

What is trench composting?

PS... now I want a hiller...

 

[bp fick]

What is trench composting?

PS... now I want a hiller...

Trench composting is an easy method of introducing compost. Run your plow down the garden a few times, making a few spaced trenches. Fill those trenches with the autumn leaves, manure, chicken litter, etc. It will stay put and the wind doesn't usually blow the leaves out. Cover them, if you wish. This puts the compost down, into the soil and begins the compost process. Dead easy.

 

[Haywire]

nice... thanks.

 

[Haywire]

I got to playing with it today, thought I'd post a couple pics. I also have a question. The lift pins are standard cat 1, but the hole for the top link pin is huge, the head of the pin will fall right through it. Kinda like they drilled it for a cat 2 or 3 pin. Anyone ever run into this? Is there a pin with a large head that won't fall through or will I just have to weld a doubler plate on it with a smaller hole? The spacing is also really wide like it's meant for a bigger top link.

Ian

 

[Briar Hill Brittanys]

Get a big washer that fits your pin, tack weld in a few strategic locations, and viola! Problem solved. But I hate to tell you this, your hooked! Your hooked on implements, brother, and it's addicting! Mark

 

[HiTechTed]

I just picked up a potato plow myself...got it for 90 bucks brand new! Crusty Nut on here made one himself. I thought about it but for 90 skins I figured the one I got was better made than what I could have done. I'm going to do crusty's toothbar setup sometime soon, though.

I just noticed the sign on the back of your machine Ian...LOL!

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Great pictures everyone.:thumbsup:

Last year I had my first experience with gardening. Raised beds. Eventually I would like convert the the beds into an "earth" garden...like the big boys have.!!

 

[KU Gator]

Instead of the normal hitch pin you are using, you can use one of the red headed kinds. Also can use a bushing if it is drilled for Cat 2 to bring it down to Cat 1 to elimate the slop.

Hitch Pin, 7/8 in. dia. x 4-1/2 in. Usable Length - 0265294 | Tractor Supply Company

Category 2 to 1 Top Link Bushing - 0268446 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[bakerg]

I got to playing with it today, thought I'd post a couple pics. I also have a question. The lift pins are standard cat 1, but the hole for the top link pin is huge, the head of the pin will fall right through it. Kinda like they drilled it for a cat 2 or 3 pin. Anyone ever run into this? Is there a pin with a large head that won't fall through or will I just have to weld a doubler plate on it with a smaller hole? The spacing is also really wide like it's meant for a bigger top link.

Ian

Love you slow moving vehicle sign.:thumbsup::laughing:

 

[Haywire]

bushing

Thanks, bought one of those at TSC today. I'm going to weld a couple pieces of that into the top link connect point (what's the technical name for that?) to fill the slop.

I took my triangle to a sign shop and had them letter it in reflective material. I thought about what I might put on there for a couple weeks... "Mity Mouse" was in the running too, but I had to limit the length of the words if I wanted the letters large enough to be readable from a distance. I'm still not real satisfied with it.

Ian

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I've been thinking of getting a TSC middle buster too...

 

[bp fick]

I've been thinking of getting a TSC middle buster too...

If you do, I recommend the orange one. First, of course, it matches better, but beyond that it is shorter, which is a big big plus for traversing the yard.
Truly. Join TSC online and get a $10 coupon or just ask the manager for $10 off. Bet he/she gives it to you.

 

[Haywire]

Mine has plenty of ground clearance when raised, no problems at all. I don't think I'd want it much shorter than it is. I had it deep enough to get dirt on the cross member when I was playing around with it in my garden. :thumbsup:

 

[oldballs]

Happy Saint Patrick's Day you potato planters. For years I've hand dug my spuds with a fork. When the kids lived here, we used two forks...one on each side of a plant. Now, by myself, that's a real chore. This Middle Buster (potato plow) sort of mystifies me. Do you straddle the tractor over the row with that plow way down below the taters? Doesn't that tear them up somewhat? Maybe I'll get one and it might even work better that a single bottom mold board for plowing in general. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[Haywire]

Yes, that's the idea... You straddle the row, the plow goes under the hill and upends it. I'll let you know when I use it for what it's intended for but that may be a few months.

 

[Baby Grand]

They're also great for digging drainage ditches and burying pipe/cable.
I have the FarmFarce subsoiler version - with the SS blade it pulls up small stumps nicely..

 

[bp fick]

At TSC, two years ago, when I bought mine, they had two different lengths. The yellow one was quite long and the BX I had at the time, would not carry it high enough to traverse the yard with enough clearance to provide comfort.

TSC changes stuff all the time, so who knows today, but something to watch out for if you have a subcut.

Haywire, your's looks to be the yellow, short model.