Looking for easy-pulling plow...

sixdogs · Mar 29, 2009

I rarely need a moldboard plow but would like to have a three or four bottom for occasional grass use. I have a JD 5520 75 HP 4Wd with radials and weights to total maybe 7,000-7,500 lbs.
I have owned a Kverneland mounted 3 bottom and it pulled like a dream. An old JD 3 bottom made me think somone was hanging on back there.
I think a White-Oliver-some Fords (all same plow) might pull easy but not sure. Also unsure about an IH. I know I could buy a new JD but want to find something common to the midwest so the price is right. Anyone here have any ideas or advice? Thank you.

deere755 · Mar 29, 2009

My experience with a plow is somewhat limited but I know that our IH plow pulls a lot easier then our old JD plow did ( that coming from a guy who bleeds green). My Dad and my Grandfather always bragged about how Case had the easiest pulling plows, followed by IH. They used to also say that Oliver and JD were the 2 hardest pulling plows made. I have only used 2 plows in my life and I would recomend the IH over the JD. FWJ would probably be a good one for this subject.

Farmwithjunk · Mar 30, 2009

sixdogs said:
I rarely need a moldboard plow but would like to have a three or four bottom for occasional grass use. I have a JD 5520 75 HP 4Wd with radials and weights to total maybe 7,000-7,500 lbs.
I have owned a Kverneland mounted 3 bottom and it pulled like a dream. An old JD 3 bottom made me think somone was hanging on back there.
I think a White-Oliver-some Fords (all same plow) might pull easy but not sure. Also unsure about an IH. I know I could buy a new JD but want to find something common to the midwest so the price is right. Anyone here have any ideas or advice? Thank you.

Assuming you're wanting used? New plow choices are VERY limited and VERY expensive.

Deere plows have always had a rep as hard pulling. (abrupt entry angle of share) As is the norm with Deere equipment, parts are easy to come by though.

Ford plows of the 60's and beyond were generally manufactured by Oliver(White) or Pittsburg Plow & Iron . They were some of the easiest pulling plows on the market. Wear parts are generally easy to come by.

Massey Ferguson plows are top shelf too! Parts are still available. Personally, they're my favorites. I've found them to have a wider range of adjustment than most, enabling me to set them to fit most any tractor.

Case plows earned a rep as easy to pull because of two factors. One, they ARE easy to pull compared to many brands. Two, Case spent time and effort to teach their sales people how to adjust a plow. Proper set-up has all to do with how a plow pulls. Case plows have a tendency to be HEAVY.

Easiest pulling plow I've ever had my hands on? Oliver.

sixdogs · Mar 30, 2009

FWJ--
thanks. Do you remember the approx era of the Oliver plow you used? I'm thinking that's the same Oliver-White and Ford 151 series that are all made by Oliver. I figure this is the one I want. There are a lot of all these brands around and the price seems to be OK. I think IH would work fine if I ran across one.

No on a new plow. Would never use it enough (couldn't afford anyway) and the price for the gold plating these days has really upped the price.

Farmwithjunk · Mar 30, 2009

The Oliver plow I used was my father-in-laws. He bought it new when he got his new 1550 Oliver tractor. I'm thinking that was mid '60's. He bought it while I was away playing soldier in 66/67. That tractor and plow combo was an absolute dream. Smoothest operating rig I've ever been on.