Didn't quite make it

Robert_in_NY · May 9, 2007

The 7710 was in the shop for some warranty work so I took the TN to disc with. The TN is a little small for the 12' disc but it works fine on flat ground. However, this field has slopes to the middle where it is still a little wet. As long as I could keep my speed up I was fine but the TN just couldn't keep the speed up on this pass and once I had to shift down a gear it just dug down. I could still go backwards and forward but the right disc gang buried and that was all she wrote. Brought the 1920 over to dig the mud out from in front of the gang and hooked a chain to the TN to help pull it out of the hole and all was well.

I had my camera phone so I took this pic and thought I would share. I know if I was all alone I could have just unhooked the disc and used the TN to dig the mud away then rehook and pull it out but that was way too much work and a lot more work to repair the field.

LoneCowboy · May 9, 2007

yep
it's stuck all right.

Oleozz · May 9, 2007

Sure looks muddy. Glad you got it out. I'm planning on discing with a 10 ft transport disc this weekend and will be using a 45 hp tractor but my ground is dried out so things should go well.

daTeacha · May 9, 2007

Soil compaction is a big concern with the soils around here. Most guys don't get on the fields unless it's a whole lot drier than yours was. Glad you could get it out before it rained again.

Robert_in_NY · May 9, 2007

This field is dry but has a low spot in the middle which was saturated 10 days ago. It is narrow with tall trees all around it so it doesn't get good air flow either. It is going to be put into timothy so I needed to get on it and get it ready before the rain is gone. The other field was in good shape but it is the middle of a horse track and there are no trees around it to help hold moisture. Once they are back into hay then I won't have to worry about them for a while.

Soundguy · May 9, 2007

Did you use a plow on that first? if so what size and type?

Soundguy

Robert_in_NY · May 9, 2007

I have a Massey Ferguson 880. It is a 4-16 semi mount that I pull with the 7710. It was originally a 5-16 (a 4 + 1) and I removed the fifth bottom and moved the rear wheel assembly up to the 4 bottom frame. The 7710 pulls it with ease on dry ground but this area does not have a lot of dry ground so the 4 bottom works out well. It is still hooked up as I have a small field I want to plow up so I will get some pics of it.

Oleozz · May 9, 2007

Don't want to steal anyone's thread here but I have a question about what hp can pull how many bottoms? I am using a 3ph 2bt 12 in plow with my 45 hp tractor and I can pull it in 2 wd. Any thoughts about if I can pull a 3 bt 12 or 14 in plow? My ground is flinty with a heavy viney sod. There are lots of older 3 bt plows for sale but I don't want to make the jump to a bigger plow if my tractor is not going to be able to pull it. Thanks.

Robert_in_NY · May 9, 2007

There is no set rule of thumb anymore as plow bottoms range from 12" to 22" (and some a lot bigger). With me I knew the TN could pull a 3-14 but in wet ground it struggles. Ideally you will plow 3-5mph (depending on soil and field conditions) so the smaller plow on your tractor will be better in the long haul as it won't tax your tractor as hard and will allow you to travel faster getting good furrow rollover. I didn't check your profile but if your 45hp tractor is a compact frame you might have trouble pulling a 3-14 on any medium to heavy soil as it doesn't have the weight to give you good traction.

I will say this, my TN can pull a 4-14 in the sandy loam I am going to plow up this weekend. That stuff will turn over if you just look at it.

Oleozz · May 9, 2007

Thanks for the reply. My tractor with the FEL and loaded R1's weighs about 6500 lbs. I plow fast, the ground turns over much better, as you mentioned, and the 2 bottom does not make the tractor work hard. Used plows in this area are dirt cheap!