John Deere 45 3 bottom plow

pclausen · Jan 3, 2012

Hi guys,

I just picked up a used 3 bottom plow this weekend. I have a couple of questions about the overall condition, what size it is, and if it is a shear-bolt or trip type.

So here are some pics of the unit:

Serial # (109160) I wonder if I can use this to determine how old it is? I'm pretty sure is it a 1970+ model since there are 3 bolts holding each board, not 4.

Am I correct in assuming this is a 16" plow given this measurement?

And is this a trip type plow? I see grease fittings so I assume it is.

It looks like the whole thing will come apart into manageable pieces that I then plan to sand blast, prime and repaint. Assuming this is a trip type plow, I'm pretty sure it won't trip right now due to everything being rusted together. Should I replace the trip pivot studs? How do I test the trip feature and how do I reset after a trip?

There is no rear furrow wheel, nor disk coulters. It doesn't look like this particular plow ever had those. I will be plowing about 4 acres that was a stand of dense pines just 6 months ago. There will be lots of roots and stumps. The loggers knocked over some of the stumps for me and I have removed those with my grapple. There are a number of smaller stumps that are cut off flush with the ground. I was going to stump grind them down about 10 inches and then just run over them with the plow. Maybe I should take the effort to dig them all out instead?

I do have a 8' disc harrow that I plan to run once I'm done plowing, so I'm thinking the lack of disk coulters is less of an issue.

The guy I brought the plow from had a JD 4410, and this was way big for his CUT. I have a 4700, which I don't think will pull it either, but I'm in the process of trading it in on a MY2012 5085M, which I'd like to think would be enough tractor to pull this plow.

Paid $450 for it, which I think is a good deal based on various other ones I looked at. I plan to convert these 4 cleared acres to a large vegetable garden and sell produce at local farmer's markets.

Sorry for all the questions!

bullbreaker · Jan 3, 2012

Heres a good look at another "45".
John Deere 45 Tillage - John Deere MachineFinder

Boone

HCJtractor · Jan 3, 2012

Looks very similar to my ford three bottom shear pin plow I restored it the same way but added all new wear parts (shares, shins, landsides, moldbords). Yours look very good already from what i can see. I would hook it up as is and give it a try just to see what it will do. I use grade 8 bolts (5/16, i think) as shears and plowing the land you describe, would expect to pop a bunch. Plows dont like roots or rocks. Each year it will get easier as things decay. Not having coulter is absolutely no problem nor is the lack of a rolling landside (rear disc thingy). They dont add much to effectiveness. Be careful to go slow and have your foot near clutch and right hand on lift handle so you can disengage at first feel or sound of obtruction. My first plow had no trip protection and i destroyed it in less than two hours of use. Bent the frame like a pretzell and popped 5 grade 8 5/8" bolts Your 4700 should pull it adquately in most conditions and you can always cheat and pull it shallower at first until you get a feel for where the roots and rocks are. Plowing good ground is a delight but plowing new land with roots is a pain. You may want to go over it first with the teeth of a bow blade or a spring scarifier or even your grapple teeth down to rip it first. The more stumps you get out first, the better

sweettractors · Jan 3, 2012

This is a Cat 2 trip plow where the diameter of the bushings determine how hard or easy the shank trips. You could use a set of points before you go to the field. Coulters and clamps are pretty hard to find. You bought at a fair price considering condition. Ken Sweet

pclausen · Jan 3, 2012

Boone, I was looking at that one on machine trader as well. Thanks for the link. I think I did pretty good with the one that I got, being less than half the price and local, even if it does not have the coulter disks and what not.

HCJtractor, appreciate the feedback. I've never run a plow before, just a disc harrow and a tiller (as far as 3pt ground engaging equipment is concerned). Yeah, this new ground is going to be a challenge. I'll continue to work on the remaining stumps to see if I can get the rest of them out.

pclausen · Jan 3, 2012

sweettractors said:
This is a Cat 2 trip plow where the diameter of the bushings determine how hard or easy the shank trips. You could use a set of points before you go to the field. Coulters and clamps are pretty hard to find. You bought at a fair price considering condition. Ken Sweet

Thanks Ken. From looking at the parts catalog, I figured this was a Cat 1, being that it is missing the 3rd brace mast from the 3pt hitch to the frame.

As for the points, the parts catalog I downloaded from deere.com for the 35/45 plows, it does not contain a parts list for the moldboards themselves. Is there another source I should be using for getting these wear items?

SandburRanch · Jan 3, 2012

Measure across the frame from beam to beam O.C. to determine the size.

All I can tell you about stumps is a Blackjack oak stump will make a 14 year old kid whack his forehead dead center on the umbrella pipe stand that was just in front of the steering wheel on a D JD. It will at the same time lock the clutch tight, along with the hitch pin and the tractor had to be pulled backward so the flywheel could be turned to start it. That wasn't a good day.

pclausen · Jan 3, 2012

Wow, guess I better go real slow the 1st couple of passes in this new ground. That doesn't sound like any fun at all!

sweettractors · Jan 3, 2012

pclausen said:
Thanks Ken. From looking at the parts catalog, I figured this was a Cat 1, being that it is missing the 3rd brace mast from the 3pt hitch to the frame.

As for the points, the parts catalog I downloaded from deere.com for the 35/45 plows, it does not contain a parts list for the moldboards themselves. Is there another source I should be using for getting these wear items?

I was looking at the diameter of the pins on the crossbar. 7/8" diameter and it is cat 1. 1 1/8" diameter and it is cat 2. Call 270-528-2133 for good aftermarket wear parts. That is where we buy all our plow parts. Ken Sweet