First time plowing

[284 International]

When I was a child and learning to drive a tractor on my grandfather''s knee, he told me that to get tall or difficult growth to roll over cleanly one needed what I now remember to be "weed drags." He said they would use a length of chain or very heavy gauge wire, sometimes dragging a weight behind the wire. He also said there were some plows that had short spring wires attached to the plow itself. I found pictures of the weed hooks posted at DEARBORN PLOW WEED HOOKS by Tim Daley. I have attached them so they can be accessed if the original website goes down.

I also think a coulter blade would help. In plowing sod, I've noticed that frequently the trouble is the plow will lift the soil, but not be able to flip it. The coulter helps with that by cutting the roots, and the chain drag or weed hooks would hold the sod against the moldboard so it can be flopped all the way over.

I'm surprised your tractor isn't able to pull that plow deeply. Are your tires filled? I would, at the least, go get a bucket full of bricks or dirt to weight the front axle so it will pull a little more, but filling those wide rear tires, if they aren't already ballasted, will allow you to let the plow go deep and still make forward progress. Once you have turned over the soil and then disked or tilled, it can be worked so it is a smoother surface. Next time, it will be a lot easier, since the up and down motion of the bumpy surface won't drive the plow deeper or pull it out so frequently.

You sure have a beautiful place.

 

[FrankNOhio]

284, I always enjoy learning from 'old tyme' techniques and 'technology'.

So far, my plowing slope side down, getting gravity to help, has solved my 'flipping' problem. But those weed wire attachments may serve some future purpose. Thanks for the pointer and story. I'm hoping to have this plowing thing down before I have a boy of my own on my knee learning.

And thanks for the nod to the land. It's been a long hard slog to get it nice. When we bought it, the pastures hadn't be maintained for decades; completely full of sumac, wild rose runs, and lots of nasty weeds and saplings.

I told my wife this land is my weight loss program. Gallons of sweat in those fields.

 

[djradz]

Idaho2, man I tell you what... That draft control is EXACTLY what I need. Unfortunately, it's not on my tractor and it's listed as 'optional' in the manual. The guy I bought the tractor from wasn't much of a salesman and that was one of many options he never mentioned, and I didn't know better to ask at the time.

I'll be ringing him up to see what it would take ($$$) to get that option because it sure sounds like what I'm needing.

Of course, that guy being such a poor salesman, by the time he gets back to me, I may (hopefully) have mastered, or at least wrangled, my way to a smoother plowing.

Thanks for the notice on that option.

Typically, most present day compact utility tractors (CUT) are not purchased with draft. In fact, so few, that I don't think it is even an option on most, but I haven't inquired recently. In the little plots you are discussing, you should be able to master the art just fine without it.

 

[FrankNOhio]

We've had a dry spell for the past week. Enough so for the cratered plots I plowed to dry nicely and was able to take the tiller out there.

A tiller to a novice farmer is like a plastic surgeon to an ugly woman.

Smoothed all my embarrassments out nicely.

 

[284 International]

A tiller is nice, and you'll get great results. But to me, nothing feels as elegantly satisfying as getting a plow set up perfectly and watching everything glide along, laying over smoothly. But the tiller sure can work, too, and then one is just done. I'm glad you got something that works for you. :thumbsup:

 

[FrankNOhio]

284, It's strange, but I know what you mean about the 'elegant' plow. For the 3 to 6 feet of 'proper' plowing I did, it felt good to see and hear everything going as it should.

Funny thing is, I enjoyed plowing so much I'm now thinking of projects which would require more plowing

Hadn't thought to clear areas for rye or any 'green manure', but now I find myself eyeing sections of the property that might become just that.

I think I'm hooked.

 

[284 International]

I think I'm hooked.

And that is the best part!

Pick an area you don't plan on using or fixing up yet and use it as your testing ground. Experiment with different settings and positions on the plow until you find the sweet spot, try different techniques for smoothing the land out, etc. A guide wheel may help, as you were thinking. My plow needs it, and it helps smooth out the tendency to dive too deep on bumpy terrain.