First time plow user questions

LaVita · Feb 12, 2007

Hi,

Just bought a Ferguson Type 2-16C A0 28 two bottom plow for $240 (16 inch?). It appears in great condition. I have never used a plow and have a few questions for the collective knowledge/wisdom of this group.

1. The plow has 2 disks sort of in front of the blades. They are adjustable both up and down and sideways. They are both in different postions right now. What is the purpose of the disks and where should they go relative to the blades? Should they be the same? Are they called blades and disks?

2. There is another smaller disk that is concave like a hubcap behind the rear blade. What is this for?

3. Any overall advise about general adjustment and use of the plow? Do I let the thing go as deep as it wants when I'm pulling it or should I keep it at a certain height?

4. Is this a good plow? Seems pretty heavy duty.

Thanks a bunch,
Chuck

LaVita - the life!

vallyfarm · Feb 12, 2007

No disrespect, but if you don't even know what the parts of a plow are called, you are in for a nightmare of a time trying to get it set up to plow. I would sugest that you find a neibour or friend with a little more experience. These older machines can hurt you REAL bad fast. If you grab hold of a rock or root you could flip the tractor over! Please find someone in your area to show you what is what. The shares may look good, but be worn out if you know how to asses them. Also, old 3pt plows are rather tricky to set up propperly even when you are used to plowing. Good luck, Mike

Glowplug · Feb 13, 2007

LaVita said:
Hi,

Just bought a Ferguson Type 2-16C A0 28 two bottom plow for $240 (16 inch?). It appears in great condition. I have never used a plow and have a few questions for the collective knowledge/wisdom of this group.

1. The plow has 2 disks sort of in front of the blades. They are adjustable both up and down and sideways. They are both in different postions right now. What is the purpose of the disks and where should they go relative to the blades? Should they be the same? Are they called blades and disks?

2. There is another smaller disk that is concave like a hubcap behind the rear blade. What is this for?

3. Any overall advise about general adjustment and use of the plow? Do I let the thing go as deep as it wants when I'm pulling it or should I keep it at a certain height?

4. Is this a good plow? Seems pretty heavy duty.

Thanks a bunch,
Chuck

LaVita - the life!

STOP!! DON'T MOVE!!!!
Don't even THINK about using that plow at this stage.
First of all, the short answers are:

Just inside the shins. Yes. Neither, they're coulters.
It's a Tailwheel.
Use draft control.
Don't know that one.

Now. Read the entire thread, "Plowing New Ground". Take notes. Then read it again. Virtually memorize it. Getting someone to help who has experience is good advice.

Don't do anything on your own yet.
I don't mean to be discouraging or condescending. But using a real moldboard plow is a bit of an art that is almost learned by apprenticeship and tons of experience. I know almost nothing about it and I am not willing to try it on my own. So, to make things pleasant and not totally frustrating for you try to learn a little bit about how to do it the right way.

Good luck!!

Opti-Mist · Feb 13, 2007

#2 sounds like a rolling landside to me.

Deerlope · Feb 13, 2007

Those old 2 bottom plows will look to be in good shape even if they are sprung and in which case they will never plow right. If they don't not turn the furrow all they way over they are only good for scrap metal.

LaVita · Feb 13, 2007

Thanks for the replies.

I started reading the "Plowing New Ground" thread last night and couldn't put it down. Got to page 7 out of 10 at about 1am and decided I better get some sleep. I'll finish it tonight.

The thread is great and is methodically answering my questions. I now want to rebuild the plow but will probably settle for replacing the bushings in the coulters and possibly replacing the shares - assuming I can still get them.

I've tried finding parts on the web, but to no luck. The ntractorclub site seems have some links to parts, but I haven't tried them yet. Any advise on finding parts for the 2-16C AO plow?

Thanks again everyone,
Chuck

LaVita - the life!

Gizmo36 · Feb 13, 2007

Those blades that you are talking about is coulter Disc .They help cut trash and keep the Furrow wall strait . The hubcap is a Furrow wheel. Yes and it those are very good plows.The coulter are set 1/4 to 5/8 to the left of the landside.Depth on the coulter should be set deep enough to cut trash and leave a clean furrow wall .It should not run too deep or it will push up trash and will not cut it .If the plow dose not go deep Shorten top link .If it is running on the nose or not plowing straight Lengthen top link.If the front bottom is too deep shorten right hand leveling screw.If the front bottom is too shallow Lengthen right hand leveling screw or shorten the top link.if the plow pulls heavy The two main thing is it is running on it's nose lengthen top link or the Share are bad.If the furrows or rolling back in Reduce plowing depth. If the furrow are broken Reduce speed. There is a lot more but that will get you started the best way to learn with it is to play with it.

GreenMtns · Feb 13, 2007

Hi Mike

You will find there are quite a few parts available for Ferguson plows. Here is a good place to start.

Sweigard Bros. Inc.

Ask for Scott. He is very knowable about Ferguson and Dearborn implements. He has provided many parts for my rebuild.

I was also able to obtain new shares and even moldboards, so you should be in pretty good shape as far as rebuilding the plow. Before you order a part however, remove the old one and turn it over. Use a wire wheel on it to remove as much rust and paint as you can. You should then be able to read the part number. If not try some light Grey paint. The Numbers stand out pretty good with that and the original color was Grey anyway. You will be asked that number by almost everyone trying to get replacement parts for you.

You are on the right track with ntractorclub. You can download the manuals for many types of Ferguson and Dearborn implements. Don't worry if it does not appear to have just the model you have. The only differance between many of these plows is the size of the moldboards. That is, 12", 14", 16" and so on. Ferguson and Dearborn plows are almost identical twins. Most of the manuals will show that differance. You will also get a very interesting lesson in history as you get into your project.

As Glowplug said before, the thread "Plowing new ground" is a winner. The only problem we have now is Farmwithjunk's ground must be frozen or he really meant it when he said he would not plow in the snow. Gee, you'd think the snow would turn over real easy.

AL

Farmwithjunk · Feb 13, 2007

GreenMtns said:
Hi Mike

You will find there are quite a few parts available for Ferguson plows. Here is a good place to start.

Sweigard Bros. Inc.

Ask for Scott. He is very knowable about Ferguson and Dearborn implements. He has provided many parts for my rebuild.

I was also able to obtain new shares and even moldboards, so you should be in pretty good shape as far as rebuilding the plow. Before you order a part however, remove the old one and turn it over. Use a wire wheel on it to remove as much rust and paint as you can. You should then be able to read the part number. If not try some light Grey paint. The Numbers stand out pretty good with that and the original color was Grey anyway. You will be asked that number by almost everyone trying to get replacement parts for you.

You are on the right track with ntractorclub. You can download the manuals for many types of Ferguson and Dearborn implements. Don't worry if it does not appear to have just the model you have. The only differance between many of these plows is the size of the moldboards. That is, 12", 14", 16" and so on. Ferguson and Dearborn plows are almost identical twins. Most of the manuals will show that differance. You will also get a very interesting lesson in history as you get into your project.

As Glowplug said before, the thread "Plowing new ground" is a winner. The only problem we have now is Farmwithjunk's ground must be frozen or he really meant it when he said he would not plow in the snow. Gee, you'd think the snow would turn over real easy.

AL

Not just froze but covered with 2" of rain. It went above freezing for a couple days, then monsoon season hit. Rains stop tonigh, then it's back in the deep freeze again. 8 degrees thursday. But never fear, spring is just around the next bend. Then we'll be flipping sod.