Ferguson Plow... Opinions

[scott_vt]

Patience.

Good Evenin Guys,
Just keep repeating " Patience" over and over because the harder I try to get this project back on track the more elusive it becomes !
Tonight I try to put a few parts together and Im missing hardware bolts etc and then the fire tone goes in for a two tractor trailer accident, so I go over and get an engine and by the time I get home Ive lost ambition and its gettin dark !

Anyways I thought by laying the plow beams on their back might make for a bit easier assembly`, putting the shins, shares and moldboards back on. So this thing isnt totally dead, its just going slow and Im hearing the weather is going to be changing " cooler" soon ! Dont give up on me yet !

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I wish that I could practice what I preach. (The patience thing) When I did my plow, it turned into a race to complete the job. I'm starting in on the #25 disc soon. It'll be a sprint. Then dads old Ferguson F-40. And that one will take an eternity. I've vowed to take my time and do this one right.

Your plow is looking good. Fresh paint. New bolts. New parts. Big fun taking "old" and making it new again!

 

[scott_vt]

Evenin Guys,
Just a quick update. I PMed my friend FWJ and asked about what grade bolts for the plow beams, and he shot back a quick answer,of standard grade bolts. So thats what its going to be !

Earlier in this thread we discussed some type of gasket or washer material between the plow shares and the shins. The note that I got in the box when I got the points recomended roofing felt. I had some thin rubber at work so I made up a couple of gaskets to sandwich inbetween the shares and the shins. Trying to put shares, shins and moldboards together this evenin it
became apparent that I will need to grind a slight amount off the edge of the share that meets the moldboard because Im not gettin the plow bolt holes to align properly ! Its not a big deal, but I thought I would mention it because if anyone else is doing the same thing dont expect everything to fall together!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Yep! When assembling a plow, it's handy to have a 4lb engineers hammer, a 8 to 10 lb sledge, an assortment of drift pins, an angle grinder, a die grinder w/ assorted bits, maybe a cutting torch, and a determined attitude. You're working with antique parts, machined to + or - 1/4" standards, new parts that were made 50 years after the original blueprints were used to light a fire in someones woodstove, and a likewise time period of beating, banging, and dragging through the dirt. NOTHING fits. If it does, question why.

And THAT is why it's so fun to rebuild an old plow!

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Scott, I think I'd leave the "extra" on that share rather than grinding it off. Simply put, the share is made to wear faster than the moldboard. If you grind the share at the moldboard junction, the moldboard will wear faster...you gettin' my drift here (not sure if I'm coming across so you'll understand my statement). If it were me, I'd leave that extra knowing that the moldboard won't be taking the brunt of the earth against it at that point, that the share will "cut" it first...just my $.02 on that. BobG in VA

 

[scott_vt]

Scott, I think I'd leave the "extra" on that share rather than grinding it off. Simply put, the share is made to wear faster than the moldboard. If you grind the share at the moldboard junction, the moldboard will wear faster...you gettin' my drift here (not sure if I'm coming across so you'll understand my statement). If it were me, I'd leave that extra knowing that the moldboard won't be taking the brunt of the earth against it at that point, that the share will "cut" it first...just my $.02 on that. BobG in VA

Mornin Bob,
I think you might not be understanding were Im grinding the share. I have to grind a bit off of the edge the share were it meets the moldboard to allow my plow bolts to align with the shin ! Im not grinding anything off of the area that the ground is in contact with. And I agree with you when you mention that if the share is just proud of the moldboard thats desirable so that the share wears first ! I hope what I just said is clear ! If nothing else Im getting a good knowledge of plow terms and vernactular !

 

[scott_vt]

Opps sorry guys I have made a mistake !!! I just got a PM from my buddy Bill "FWJ" and I seem to have one of my terms screwed up ! Heres a copy of the PM !

Howdy!

You know how I hate to point out mistakes and all....

What you're calling the "shin" is actually the "frog". (The part that attaches to the beam and then forms the shape of the bottom when all the wear parts are attached.)

The "shin" is the vertical cutting edge of the bottom. In your case, that's part of the moldboard. Newer plows have a 3rd piece, where you have 2 pieces forming the cutting surface of the plow.

If you need it, I can send along a picture explaining further. That'll have to wait until I'm home tonight though.

Bill

 

[BobG_in_VA]

OK, I'm with you now...I thought you were gonna grind off the overlap of the share where it contacts the moldboard at the cutting edge, correctly now noted as the "shin" (newer plow have separte replacable shins). My bad....as you were....BobG in VA

 

[scott_vt]

Evenin Guys,
Well I went to our local " Nutty Company" to buy the hardware I needed, they told me they have plow bolts ! So I walk in and ask for a dozen 7/16" plow bolts and the counter guy says that the smallest they carry is 1/2" It wasnt a totally wasted trip, I did get all the 5/8" lock washers that I needed ! So Im kind of dead in the water until I can order what i need.

There are some of what I call "special bolts" because I dont know the proper name, Im sure Bill or Bob knows ! Anyways these special bolts attach the FROG to the plowbeam, see Bill I learn quick ! They are 5/8" x 18 thd with a rounded head 1 5/16" . I didnt want to bring alot of machining into this thread but I just figured Id make the darn things and be done with it ! So I made a few because I thought there was a chance I could wrap up the assembly, not to be ! So soon as I get my plow bolts I will finish this thing up !

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Remember when they played "Stump the Band" on the Johnny Carson Show? Well, you just beat the band. No clue what the "special name" is for those "special bolts". I'm headed out to the shop in a few. I'll look through my parts manuals on all the plows I've owned and see if there is a special name. Sorta like a carraige bolt without the square shoulders.

If you have even the slightest difficulty getting the 7/16"ths plow bolts, let me know. I've got several coffee cans full of 'em. I've got 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", and 1-3/4".

Bill