Tiller Need Advise on Plow Size

   / Need Advise on Plow Size #11  
I don't think you will be able to handle a 3-16" bottom plow very easily. We pull a 3-16" plow with a JD 2550 (65hp PTO and much heavier than a 5055 E) and at times its all that tractor will handle. It also requires a full set (1100lbs) of suitcase weights to keep the front end on the ground. On a tractor the size of yours I would look for either a 2 bottom 14" or 16" plow, or at most a lighter 3 bottom 14" plow.
 
   / Need Advise on Plow Size #12  
I'd stick with a 2 bottom. We just got a 2-16" & are pulling it with a 4x4 57 horse in stiff clay. It's everything that tractor can handle.
 
   / Need Advise on Plow Size #13  
My soil gives my DX55 a workout at times, using a ford 101 14" 2 bottom. You'll probably find a 3 bottom easier though, and for about the same money as a 2 bottom. I bought a 3 bottom and re-assembled it as a 2 bottom. Works great.
 
   / Need Advise on Plow Size #14  
I would also recommend a 2-bottom. Since you are using it at your hunting camp, I am guessing that most of your work will be done on weekends, etc when you get down there, and that you are probably doing food plots, etc of 5 acres or less in size. Moisture content in the soil is important when plowing and without question you have plenty of tractor for a 3-bottom when it is just right. You will struggle when it is too wet or too dry however. A 2-bottom on that 4wd tractor will let you get the job done almost regardless of soil conditions. I use a 2-bottom on a similar sized 4wd tractor for smaller plots and it will pull it right thru mud holes with standing water. It is kind of cool to watch the wake thrown off of the plow as you pull it thru the water. If I waited for all those mud holes on my swampy bottom-land farm to dry completely each spring, I could use a 3-bottom on that tractor, but the planting would not get done until a month or so later, and that would severely reduce crop yield. The only reason I see for a 3-bottom is if you are working lots of acreage and dont have to worry much about less than ideal soil moisture content. The smaller plow will also let you run at higher speed, and mosts plows roll the soil over much better when pulled at a good clip.
 
   / Need Advise on Plow Size #15  
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.

What it takes to pull a plow is TOTALLY dependant on your soil type and condition.

According to the posts here, the 1954 NAA I've been plowing pastures with won't pull the 3 bottom Ford plow I use

It's a good thing I didn't know that before, or I could never have gotten them planted LOL
 
   / Need Advise on Plow Size #16  
What it takes to pull a plow is TOTALLY dependant on your soil type and condition.

According to the posts here, the 1954 NAA I've been plowing pastures with won't pull the 3 bottom Ford plow I use

It's a good thing I didn't know that before, or I could never have gotten them planted LOL

I pull a 2-14" trip bottom plow with my NAA and it does well, I don't think I would like any more on it for what I do. My comments on the 3-16" plow we pull (JD 1600) are based on it being a heavy, large frame, spring reset plow, often breaking new ground that has remained fallow for 20+ years. Heavy deep plowing to turn under years worth of growth, small stumps, etc takes a lot more power then plowing loam 6" deep. For all around usefulness I still stand by my recommendation of a 2 bottom plow to the OP.
 
   / Need Advise on Plow Size #17  
What it takes to pull a plow is TOTALLY dependant on your soil type and condition.

According to the posts here, the 1954 NAA I've been plowing pastures with won't pull the 3 bottom Ford plow I use

It's a good thing I didn't know that before, or I could never have gotten them planted LOL

I agree on the soil type & condition!

I guess I'm too old, but what happened too HP ratings? I grew up in the Midwest using a 4-16" pull plow, 8" deep with a JD 720D (58 HP) in 4th gear in most conditions. Later a 4-14" 3-pt on the same tractor & a 2-14", 3-pt on my JD 520 (34 HP), simply because 14" 3-pts were what I could find!

In one case, at a plow day, I went to another area of the feild that was "gumbo" (a very sticky soil in this area), just so I could "work" the 720, the better ground wasn't even warming up the tractor!

Seems like from the above posts, the newer tractors are rated for more than they can handle! ~~ grnspot110
 
   / Need Advise on Plow Size #18  
Quote Seems like from the above posts, the newer tractors are rated for more than they can handle! ~~ grnspot110 Quote

These newer tractors don't have the weight or the larger tire diameter that your tractors had. That makes all the difference. Ken Sweet
 
   / Need Advise on Plow Size #19  
I pull a 2-14" trip bottom plow with my NAA and it does well, I don't think I would like any more on it for what I do.

Given your location I'm guessing you have more clay to deal with than I do.
I'm only 50 miles from the ocean, so here it's mostly sandy loam and light clay
 
   / Need Advise on Plow Size #20  
Quote Seems like from the above posts, the newer tractors are rated for more than they can handle! ~~ grnspot110 Quote

These newer tractors don't have the weight or the larger tire diameter that your tractors had. That makes all the difference. Ken Sweet

Makes sense!

That's part of the reason I went with the gear drive (790) over a hydrostat, I'm "old school" on tire size, seems like all the JD hydros have shorter rear tires. I just bought it in late April, so I haven't had time to build a plow yet. I have 14" JD plow bottom off an old #810, just need to make a frame for it. ~~ grnspot110
 
 

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