Plow Question

TMAC · May 20, 2005

Thinking about a two bottom plow. Need some opinions please. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Tractor: 2004 TC45DA SS, R4's, 400lbs rear wheel weights
Conditions/use: Clay Soil, small food plots 0-1 acres, and possibly 1/2 acre garden someday.

I assume a two bottom would be fine but, would anyone go with 3 bottom in my HP range?

PineRidge · May 20, 2005

Really depends on your soil conditions.

We used to pull a Dearborn 2 bottom with a 25HP 4WD and have now moved up to a TC-40D. The 40D also handles the 2 bottom plow without a problem and in our soil condition I'm confident that we could drag a 3 bottom plow. I don't think I would want to do it all day long, day in and day out, but for a veggie garden, I would say no sweat for a 45D.

TMAC · May 21, 2005

Thanks Mike. About your soil conditions... rich dark soil? I think I'll probably be better off going two bottom given my soil conditions are more clay like and using R4 tires.

The land that we bought in 2003 use to be farmed for sorghum. That's been years ago though. So it's not been worked in quite awhile. Out of the 44 acres there's probably only 10-12 that's open rolling pasture. When mowing you can really tell which way they plowed the field in years past.

Any other opinions and experieced information still welcomed, please share. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

jwstewar · May 22, 2005

Hi Greg, glad to see you came back and that you are still working that NH. BTW, when I first saw the picture I thought man, he didn't sound that young and he definitely didn't sound that cute?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Then I remembered they were expecting a baby, Congratulations on the little one.

djradz · May 23, 2005

With R4s and without significant weight in the front, I'd stick with the 2-bottom, something like a 14" or 16". If your down to a 12", a 3 bottom might be OK. With my TC-40D, it handles a 2-14" just fine, but I find that even with front weights, I can't get the full benefit of the 4wd, due to the light front end. On top of that, I find the R4s to be pretty poor in soil for plowing. I love 'em for their general use suitability, but for plowing and pushing deep snow, they sort of suck. If you've ever used a tractor with R1's, and then go to the R4s, you'll know what I mean.

Laminarman · May 24, 2005

I bought a used Tractor Supply two bottom, and besides having it set up wrong for a year it's worked "ok". It has limited adjustments. If I had to do it all over again I'd call Ken Sweet and have him ship me a good, used two bottom that is suited for my soil. I have a TC40DA and the two bottom is not a problem. I plow 4 to 6 acres. I think three bottom may be overkill for what you want to do.

TMAC · May 25, 2005

Jim, I don't get on here as much as I'd like but, still comeback to browse around and see what's happening. Good to here from you. My baby girl is a wonderful thing in my life. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif She's doing great and cut her first bottom teeth 2.5 weeks ago. She's 5 months and 2 weeks old this weekend.

Duane, thanks for your help and reassurance. I'll be going with a 2 bottom when the time comes. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Laminarman, thanks for the heads up on quality of plow. I'll be sure to keep that in mind when I go to purchase.

Thanks all and sorry it took me awhile to reply from my previous post. Life isn't getting any slower right now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JerryG · May 26, 2005

I missed your post. I have a MF 1440, 40 horsepower. For quite some time, I have been using a 3 bottom 14" plow to plow gardens and twice to turn sod. I have clay with lots of rocks and the tractor does just fine with R1s.

kensfarm · May 26, 2005

" I can't get the full benefit of the 4wd, due to the light front end"

I keep the FEL on.. collect big rocks in the bucket as I plow.. it'll make those fronts bite into the dirt.

TMAC · May 26, 2005

Jerry, I'll probably end up like some R4 owners and wishing I owned a set of R1's. As long as I don't jump on someone else's tractor with R1's then I won't know what I'm missing... hence saving $$$ /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Your soil type sounds a lot like mine... clay and somewhat rocky. Thanks for your input... I'll surely take it into consideration as well. How many feet wide does a 3-bottom-plow plow versus a 2 bottom? Is there a standard to how far apart each blade is set?

Ken, I've got the rear wheel weights and by the sound of it I might want to take them off and throw them in the FEL bucket. I'd sure like to buy some front end weight sometime down the road. Thanks for your post. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Greg