Mouldboard plowing wth CUT

[sunnyside360]

Thanks everyone. Just the kind of info I needed. Think I'll pass on the plowing idea. Using a 3 point tiller looks like a better option to me at this time.

Rotary tiller should work well. This is what I use for gardening and wild game food plots. Just have to go slow and easy. I've broken a few tines when going too fast and striking rocks.

 

[5030]

I second the disc if your topsoil layer is light. The tiller will also upend the soil and bring up what's underneath plus it pulverizes too much and, it's power intensive.

Get yourself a good used disc and be happy.

 

[sunnyside360]

Hmmm, here is my actual experience with the two discs I have -- one eight foot 3ph fairly new and an older twelve foot transport disc in very good condition. There is no way either disc is better than the rototiller in my soil. I can control the depth on my rototiller so depth control is not a problem. Actually, I'm thinking about selling the two discs because I never use them any more. No more farming here on this old 300 acre farm, just keep the fields mowed and sell some hay. That is my experience with the soil here and it may be different in other soil.

Also, I doubt very much if your 3720 with unloaded turf tires has the traction to pull a disc.

 

[foggy1111]

A little report on plowing with my Dearborn "Economy" 2 bottom plow (economy meaning throw-away lathes). When I bought mine, the tag said it was 2x14's....but it turned out to be 2x16" bottoms. Ouch. I had a 790 JD with R1 tires at the time (30 hp engine) and it pulled the plow fairly well in sandy loam soils in 4WD using the diff lock. But it was all the tractor could do...and at times I would spin the tires.

Later I traded up to a 3320 and this tractor handles the plow very well....even with R4 industrial tires. I could have wished for 14" bottoms....but I handled the 16's OK on my land. I would not have bought the plow had I measured the bottoms first. 16" bottoms pull significantly harder than 14". I did not plow very deep and I doubt I could pull this plow in clay or tough soil conditons. I did not have rocks to contend with.

Unfortunaely, I only have a few inches of good top soil....and moldboard plowing only serves to put my good soil down. I quickly gave up the practice of plowing and went to my disc and tiller to prep my soils.

I resold my Dearborn plow for $475. as I had no use for it. It was in top condition.