Can I plow with turf tires?

[coss]

I have a Massey Harris 50 with nearly new turf tires, wheel weights, and loaded rears. I use it mainly to bush hog 13 acres of mostly flat land that had been hay and corn fields many years ago. When I got the property, the fields hadn't been cut in 5 years, and the root growth from the weeds and brush is still in place, but the plants are now mostly grass.

I would like to turn about 2 acres into food plots. I have been thinking about plowing and discing it, but I'm not sure the turf tires will provide enough traction to get the job done.

Should I get chains?

Is a two bottom plow too much, or should I go with a single bottom?

Once the ground is broken, will I be able to pull a 6'6" disc, either the first time or as a single-agent implement in future years?

Thanks!

 

[MossRoad]

Might want to find out the soil type, too.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Well, I don't have any experience but I know one way to find out. My guess is you will need chains.

 

[coss]

The soil is mostly clay. I don't have many rocks.

 

[jenkinsph]

A forward rotating tiller would be another suggestion since tillers push against the tractor, traction issues aren't a problem.

 

[MossRoad]

Hard to say.... wet clay I'd guess no way. Dry, don't know. I'm surprised how much traction turfs have on dry surfaces. Guess it all depends on air pressure, weight, traction, etc.... that a 2wd unit, correct? One tire's going to be on solid ground, the other riding in the turned soil. Does the rear diff lock? Just asking questions out loud.

 

[MossRoad]

A forward rotating tiller would be another suggestion since tillers push against the tractor, traction issues aren't a problem.

That's a pretty good idea. Especially for just 2 acres. And a tiller is very versatile.

 

[coss]

Hard to say.... wet clay I'd guess no way. Dry, don't know. I'm surprised how much traction turfs have on dry surfaces. Guess it all depends on air pressure, weight, traction, etc.... that a 2wd unit, correct? One tire's going to be on solid ground, the other riding in the turned soil. Does the rear diff lock? Just asking questions out loud.

The tractor is 2wd, and weighs about 6000 lbs with the wheel weights and calcium. I don't think it has a differential lock, but I'm not really sure.

 

[coss]

A forward rotating tiller would be another suggestion since tillers push against the tractor, traction issues aren't a problem.

Will a tiller cut through the deep roots of a bush hogged field? If not, I imagine I could hire a farmer with better equipment to do the first pass.

I don't know a thing about tillers. Any brands you like? Cost? Is a used version a bad idea?

 

[jenkinsph]

Will a tiller cut through the deep roots of a bush hogged field? If not, I imagine I could hire a farmer with better equipment to do the first pass.

I don't know a thing about tillers. Any brands you like? Cost? Is a used version a bad idea?

I cut through bush hogged fields often in my work with good results. I use a Deere 673 tiller with my 4520 but there are other good tillers such as King Kutter which are a lower price. Nothing wrong with used if it is in good condition. Some people think tillers are only suitable for a small garden, I disagree with this.

Here are some pics of a field I used my tiller on last year. It was a run down apple orchard where I cleared the old trees and stumps then tilled up, lasered to grade and planted in Fescue.