Ferguson Plow... Opinions

[BobG_in_VA]

Hey Bob,
Uh Oh, both those shares look the same to me ! Sweigard Brothers didnt tell me anything about two different shares ! If you get a chance maybe you could post a pic??? Im wondering if only the steel shares are slightly different ??? Yep I want to get it dirty, just hope I dont run out of time this year, its gettin cold in Vt !

Scott, was out at the farm today--again forgot to take the camera, as I was only gonna put a gen. back on a Super C that I had tested yesterday...Anyway looked at the plow, and yes the front share bottom (cutting edge) is about 2 inches longer on the front share than the rear. I suppose thats to compensate for the longer "reach" that the front share may have to make in certain instances, whereas the rear share is a constant...I don't think you have to worry, but they really are different...BobG in VA

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Guys,
I finally hung the rest of the parts on the plow tonite ! Other than a few washers and lock washers its about done. Its getting cold out there, even in Ct its in the 30's so I imagine much colder in Vt. Im hoping to get the plow up there in about 1 1/2 weeks, and at least try to run a furrow if its not crazy cold. Im sure this thing wont work well in frozen ground !

I have taken a few pics of it tonite, and have a question for our resident plowing experts. When I hook this thing up to the 3 pt hitch is the drawbar going to stay at that angle, as it is in the pictures ? Also I dont see what is going to keep those coulters from wondering around or do they just track fairly straight ? I guess its time to reread " Plowing New Ground "

Anyway I hope I can get it dirty this year but we are really cuttin it close !

 

[GreenMtns]

Hi Scotty

Well let me tell you.....forecast is for snow. Hope you don't have to plow your driveway to get the plow in.

No kidding about the snow but just a dusting high up in the hills.

We'll let FWJ tell you about the angle of the thing when in the ground but I do have a question. When attached to the tractor will the front coulter swing around and hit the right rear tire? I ask this because each coulter on my plow has a chain to hold it back and I don't see them on yours. I don't think they are nessary to plow but here is a picture of them.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

The coulters'll track straight when she's in the ground, but you may need some help keeping them in line while the plow is raised. Not only can the front one find the tire, it can end up swinging over enough to catch the fixed drawbar. You may need "limiter" chains. They were common on a lot of the older plows. Many newer (read 60's/70's ect) plows had coulters with a limited swing.

I have to do my homework on that style of drawbar. One side or the other SHOULD move forward or rearward to make the plow track correctly. That'll control the width of cut for the front bottom.

You really do need to start searching ebay for an owners manual for that exact model of plow. The folks who built it can explain little details better than I can ever hope to.

 

[GreenMtns]

And Scotty That is a beautiful piece of iron. You can almost imagine it sitting on the dealers floor some 60+ years ago.
Great job on the rebuild

 

[Farmwithjunk]

And Scotty That is a beautiful piece of iron. You can almost imagine it sitting on the dealers floor some 60+ years ago.
Great job on the rebuild

For what it's worth, they didn't look THAT GOOD way back when they were new

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Good Evenin Guys,

I have taken a few pics of it tonite, and have a question for our resident plowing experts. When I hook this thing up to the 3 pt hitch is the drawbar going to stay at that angle, as it is in the pictures ? Also I dont see what is going to keep those coulters from wondering around or do they just track fairly straight ? I guess its time to reread " Plowing New Ground "

Scott, it appears that you have the adjuster on the drawbar rotated all the way down..I believe it should be somewhat level. If I remember correctly, there are marks on that rotating "sleave". I'd loosen the u-bolts on both sides and get the drawbar somewhat level to start. You will then have to adjust it laterally (front or back to bring the plow towards the previous furrow or away from it). Your first furrow will need to be done with the plow bottoms level to the ground. Once you have a complete first furrow, you will need to put the right side tires into the furrow with the plow up--(this will make the plow look lopsided--off level, now adjust your 3 point lower arms so the plow is level with the ground while you sit in the furrow...So when you lower the plow it will again run level in the ground. You following???

I note that your furrow wheel appears to be set back away from your landslide. Have you not put any grease in it?? If you had, it would be sticking out toward the furrow wall. You want that wheel to sit flush with the furrow wall that the rear plow share has cut. Hope you get the jist of what I'm trying to say...another pic from directly behind the plow would be helpfull. BobG in VA

 

[scott_vt]

Hi Scotty

Well let me tell you.....forecast is for snow. Hope you don't have to plow your driveway to get the plow in.

No kidding about the snow but just a dusting high up in the hills.

Mornin Al,
Thanks !

For what it's worth, they didn't look THAT GOOD way back when they were new

Mornin Bill,
Thanks for all your help, BTW I have the manual for the 10-1 Dearborn still lookin for the 10-8 manual, keep your eyes open !

Scott, it appears that you have the adjuster on the drawbar rotated all the way down..I believe it should be somewhat level. If I remember correctly, there are marks on that rotating "sleave".

Mornin Bob,
In all those pics the setting is at zero I will get a closeup tonite ! And thankyou for a good description on setting this thing up, I have a good idea on what your explaining ! BTW, I need to also get new zerk fittings for the coulter hubs and the tail wheel so no grease yet Bob !

I just want to thank all you guys for all your help, youve been great, couldnt have done it without you, it was great fun and I really enjoyed the whole thing. Hopefully I can get it to work the way it was intended without paying for round trip plane tickets from Va and Ky !

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Guys,
This story isnt dead yet ! I called in the heavy reserves here in Ct, my local farmer buddy to hoist this thing back up into my truck tonight ! Yes I know its a big green tractor, beggars cant be choosers ! Tommorrow it goes to Vt with possible snow in the forcast, for all you real curious TBNers go to AccuWeather and type in Zip 05774, which is actually down town Wells, well we are in East Wells elevation 1200 ft and Uncle Daves corn patch is at 1300 ft ! Im guessing we are going to need a warm jacket and gloves at best ! Worst case scenario is forget the whole thing till next spring and drink Uncle Daves' beer !

BTW I have a rough idea how to set this thing up, I read " Plowing New Ground" in its entirety along with the owners manual of the Dearborn plow, so I do have some clue !

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Scott, good luck on your trip...be aware that if the ground (at least the top couple of inches) is frozen, your plow WILL cut thru and get to the right depth, your right hand drive tire (in the furrow) will grab and pull correctly, but your left rear wheel/tire will spin like crazy on top of that frozen ground, to the point that it is pointless to plow in those conditions...been there, tried that, went back to the barn....BobG in VA

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Worst case scenario is forget the whole thing till next spring and drink Uncle Daves' beer !

WORST case? Uh...If it were me, I'd make plans around that and ONLY if it happened to be a warm, sunny day, MAYBE I'd hook up the plow

The plow looks great! Ya done good.

Bill

 

[scott_vt]

WORST case? Uh...If it were me, I'd make plans around that and ONLY if it happened to be a warm, sunny day, MAYBE I'd hook up the plow


Bill

Good Evenin Bill,
Well as it turned out I guess Im a day late and a dollar short ! I got up there friday afternoon to 2" of snow ! But not to be detoured I got up friday mornin and put my best foot foward ! I called Uncle Dave up and he says we got 2" of rain before the 2" of snow and no way is he letting me plow that cornpatch, because I will only make a mess ! Which I had to agree with him on that one ! But I did hook up the plow to the tractor, played with some adjustments and actually made a mess out of about 15' of my field before packing it in for the day !

Your right you need a warm sunny day, not snow and ice and strong winds ! So until springtime these pics will have to suffice ! It was great fun doing this whole project and Im kind of longing for some good plowing weather !

 

[bialecki]

Scott when you come back to CT DON"T bring that white stuff with you!

Dennis

 

[Rara Avis]

Your right you need a warm sunny day, not snow and ice and strong winds ! So until springtime these pics will have to suffice ! It was great fun doing this whole project and Im kind of longing for some good plowing weather !

Just make sure that your springtime plowing is post MUD SEASON...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

One look at that last picture and I had to go throw another log on the fire It was 64 degrees here today by the way!