Tiller Need Advise on Plow Size

[whiplashn]

Our hunting camp just purchased a JD 5055E (around 52HP - 4wd, diesel). We've been using an old JD trailer 2 bot plow with a 41 H but now we'd like to get a used 3pt plow but have varying recommendations on what size.

The Ford 101 is our first choice with trips (we have lots of rocks) Field are a bit soddy but we have a sprayer.

I know it will easily pull a 2 bottom. What I'd like to know is will it handle a 3 bottom 16".

I have loaded tires and 4WD so traction shouldn't be a problem. Our fields are gently sloped and like I said a bit rocky and thick sod but spraying in the fall should cut down on that.

So, does anyone have an answer on the 2 bot vs the 3 bot?

 

[sweettractors]

Not all, but most, 3 bottoms are going to be catagory 2. Check to be sure you can hook to a plow before you buy. Ken Sweet

 

[whiplashn]

I've checked every plow that I've looked at and everyone is CAT 1. I prefer CAT 2 but I can't find one. My tractor can handle both CATs.

All I really need to know is given the scenario that I described in my initial inquiry is if I can go up to a 3 bottom plow. Can my 52 HP tractor handle it with ease. I don't want to have to struggle with it. I've been doing that too long with my 41 H

 

[sweettractors]

The old saying is: If you have 4x4, then add 10 hp to what the tractor can do with a implement. That should put you about where you need to be with a 3-14 or 3-16 plow. Ken Sweet

 

[gwdixon]

The old saying is: If you have 4x4, then add 10 hp to what the tractor can do with a implement. That should put you about where you need to be with a 3-14 or 3-16 plow. Ken Sweet

Sweet Tractors should know so Ken's advice is probably very accurate.

I have heard that about 20 - 30 HP per bottom, depending on soil, is a good measurement.

I have a 3-14 Ford 101 plow modified to use Cat 2. My 70 HP Kubota M7040 handles it fairly well with loaded R1s in 4WD with weight on the front. Don't know if I'd go with much less in the soil here that is rocky and some of which hasn't been plowed in 30 years.

As mentioned, you would be on the edge of being able to use a 3-16.

 

[whiplashn]

Well I've heard that you can gauge it by figuring 15 hp per bottom or 1hp per inch.

So a 3 bottom 16" by those standards is 45 or 48.

I don't want to be struggling if 3 bottom is too close to maximum.

thanks for your advise

 

[rjkobbeman]

Sweet Tractors should know so Ken's advice is probably very accurate.

I have heard that about 20 - 30 HP per bottom, depending on soil, is a good measurement.

I have a 3-14 Ford 101 plow modified to use Cat 2. My 70 HP Kubota M7040 handles it fairly well with loaded R1s in 4WD with weight on the front. Don't know if I'd go with much less in the soil here that is rocky and some of which hasn't been plowed in 30 years.

As mentioned, you would be on the edge of being able to use a 3-16.

WOW! This is where I am amazed at farming. Saying your 70 HP M7040 handled that pictured "cutesy three thingy plow" (my words, not yours) "fairly well" really opens my eyes on how much power it takes for ground engaging implements.

Before being educated on this stuff, I would have thought that 3 bottom would have been used on a B series!

 

[sweettractors]

Sweet Tractors should know so Ken's advice is probably very accurate.

I have heard that about 20 - 30 HP per bottom, depending on soil, is a good measurement.

I have a 3-14 Ford 101 plow modified to use Cat 2. My 70 HP Kubota M7040 handles it fairly well with loaded R1s in 4WD with weight on the front. Don't know if I'd go with much less in the soil here that is rocky and some of which hasn't been plowed in 30 years.

As mentioned, you would be on the edge of being able to use a 3-16.

That is a nice looking plow. Like the way you built up the landslides. What happened to the orignial cat 1 crossbar. Ken Sweet

 

[gwdixon]

The Cat 1 crossbar was removed. The adjustment was not perceived to be needed and it runs just fine with the permanent adjustment afforded by the reinforced drawbar mounted.

The Cat 1 mount was not long enough on the left side to fit tractor's Cat 2 ball with a bushing. My choices were to mill the crossbar so the ball/bushing would fit, cut off the Cat 1 pin and weld on a Cat 2 lift pin, or simply remove the crossbar and mount a Cat 2 drawbar which is the solution seen in the photo.

The right side lift pin can be just replaced with a Cat 2 pin but the left side would still be an issue. The left side could have been secured with a chain or Come-A-Long but it was decided to do a full make-over.

The welding was done with the thought of it being able to be cut off and the original set-up restored if that is wanted by a next owner.

The landslides were built up with Stoody tungsten hard face so they should last a while.

 

[sweettractors]

That pin shoulder can be ground back 1/8 or so with a angle grinder and then slide the cat 1 to cat 2 bushing over and you are all set. If your current setup is working fine, i wouldn't mess with it. Neat job. Ken Sweet