Functional plow or waste of time

[RLDSL]

I never use my tractor for crops and such ( in fact it
s been over 30 years since I've even pulled a plow ) but I have a friend in the city at my church who runs the community gardens, and he's been turning them all over by hand for years and was wondering if anyone knew someone with a tractor who could come in and turn the things over next spring, and I figured if I could come up with a plow cheap enough , I'd do it

Would a single bottom like this be worth anything for ground that has been regularly worked yearly or is it just junk that I'd be cursing and having to weld up in short order? They only want $80 for the thing

Also, what would be about the max size plow ( either 2 bottom, smaller blade, or single, larger blade ) I could comfortable pull with my tractor, and work effectively, it's an international 284 , 2wd, about 22 hp at the drawbar, 11.2/10-24 rear tires, currently unloaded

Not much used available around this area that folks aren't a bit too proud of so options are limited, but it would help to know the limits ahead of time.

This is not a project I want to drop a pile of money into obviously. If I could get the blade cheap enough , I'd probably weld up a frame myself
Thanks-----

 

[bigtiller]

It is hard to tell by the pics but that looks to be about an 8 inch plow with a category 0 hitch. Your 284 would work a 12 inch plow with a category 1 hitch great especially in existing gardens.

If the plow pictured is what I think it is then you can pull it but you probably won't like the results and your tractor may destroy it in short order.

But I can guarrentee it will be a lot of fun playing with it so I would have a go at it.
It is fun to watch the dirt turn over by a moldboard plow.

 

[jimmysisson]

The down side is that if they've been working the ground by hand it hasn't been compacted by a tractor and the soil has benefitted that way. You might have fun but as for improving the garden, not so much. Cheaper to rent a tiller and donate your time. Not as much fun though...
Jim

 

[RLDSL]

The down side is that if they've been working the ground by hand it hasn't been compacted by a tractor and the soil has benefitted that way. You might have fun but as for improving the garden, not so much. Cheaper to rent a tiller and donate your time. Not as much fun though...
Jim

Unfortunately, my days of wrangling a tiller are long gone , and the fella in charge of the gardens is getting in about the same shape, that's why he was looking for someone with a tractor.

 

[beenthere]

That plow won't work well for your garden project.
Look for someone who has a plow, or a 3pt tiller, and knows ahead of time what it will do (if a good job is of interest in the garden plot ).

Try to find a 3pt tiller to rent that will go on your tractor, would be my suggestion.