Plow suggestion

[Mudball]

I have a chance to buy an older (model 100...I think) Ford plow and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them. Do they work just as good as the newer ones like from TSC or a Leinbach ? Im asking because the one Im looking at is from a email picture and it doesnt look like it would turn the dirt very deep or very good and the picture might be misleading. So I was asking for some experienced opinions before I travel to look and possible buy.
Thanks

 

[Mudball]

I forgot to mention that my goal is to plow deep. Also the plow that Im wanting is a single bottom plow.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

We need to know the SPECIFIC model of Ford plow. Earlier models were 10-XX, Later model is a 101 (NOT 100) The 101 is as good as any mounted plow ever built. Earlier 10- series are adaquate, but not quite the plow the 101 is. Long story short, there are a bunch of newer plows out there that are better than those earliest Ford models. Now, about those Leinbach/TSC plows. They use the same DESIGN and shaped bottom as the Ford 101. Supposedly parts will interchange. They're using wear parts that don't fit and align quite as well as original Ford parts. The frames are bulky and heavy but not in the sense they're any stronger (or AS STRONG) The Leinbach plows have coulters available as an option, but as of yet I've never seen one equipped with coulters (which I consider a "must have" on a plow) Another complaint I have with the Leinbach plow is, the only available trip mechanism is a shearbolt. I prefer saftey reset trip beams where you don't have to be constantly jumping off the tractor when plowing around roots, rocks, ect. The Ford 101 was available with both types of trip beams.

Ok. About how they actually work. A few years ago, I had a nice set of Massey Ferguson #66 2X12" plows. A neighbor bought a set of Leinbach 2X14"'s for a Ferguson TO20 he owned. In the soil around here, 2X14"'s were just too much for his tractor. We worked out a deal where we swapped plows and a little cash. I also owned a set of Ford 101's, 3X14". I hooked the Leinbach 2X14"'s to a 60 hp Deere I own. I started plowing my acre of garden. After a few passes, I decided the Leinback plow was a dud. It was adjusted properly, set at an acceptable depth, ect. It just flat pulled like a boat anchor. I dropped it and hooked op the Ford 101 3-bottom plow and finished the garden. Without a doubt the THREE bottom plow pulled EASIER than the TWO bottom Leinbach plow.

About plowing depth. It's always been a rule of thumb that plows are intended to operate at a depth of 1/2 their width. (ie 12" @ 6" deep, 14" @ 7" deep, 16" @ 8" deep) SOME brands offered deep draft bottoms on larger plows. (ie John Deere had deep draft bottoms on 145H semi-mount plows) They were so that a typical 16" plow could work to depths near 10". That rule of thumb can be "fudged" a bit. MAYBE an inch or two, BUT, it wouldn't be unusual to see the furrow slice not roll completely over "green side down" if you're plowing too deep.

Deep tillage is subsoiler/chisel plow/vee ripper territory.

 

[Mudball]

That sounds really great. Thanks for all the great information. I will try and post a picture of it so maybe you can tell better what it is.
Thanks again.

 

[Mudball]

I have dial up and it is very slow. I also cant seem to get on Photobucket. Can someone please send me theyre email address and I will email them a picture of this plow or tell me how to post it from a email. My email address is rjcms@mlec.net

 

[Soundguy]

Why not resize the pics to a large size, but smaller KB value..

If you are using winxp.. it's a free power tool plug in..

soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

That sounds really great. Thanks for all the great information. I will try and post a picture of it so maybe you can tell better what it is.
Thanks again.

Mudball sent email pic of plow to me. Picture of the plow is of a CAT 0 1-bottom "garden plow". I'll try to upload picture when I'm home tonight.

 

[IslandTractor]

I too am looking for a decent used plow to use in reclaiming about 10 acres of former farm fields from invasive species and preparing to grow hay. The land has already been mowed. Based on this an other recent TBN threads I've been looking for a Ford 101. That plow appears elusive at least in my initial searches. I did come across a local Ferguson 12B with coulters and wonder if anyone has experience and comments on that plow's performance and availability of parts. I'd be using a 40hp tractor and the soil is mostly sandy loam with a fair number of rocks. Probably would only plow 4-5 acres per year.

 

[ampsucker]

in response to FWJ's comments on the Ford 101 model, i found this and thought it interesting....

Ford Model 101 Moldboard Plow - ad brochure

it's a brochure for the ford 101.

amp

 

[Glowplug]

That's pretty awesome amp!!
FWJ, where are the pics?

 

[SouthernX]

[ snip...] Now, about those Leinbach/TSC plows. They use the same DESIGN and shaped bottom as the Ford 101. Supposedly parts will interchange. They're using wear parts that don't fit and align quite as well as original Ford parts. The frames are bulky and heavy but not in the sense they're any stronger (or AS STRONG) [ snip... ]

Ok. About how they actually work. [ snip...] I started plowing my acre of garden. After a few passes, I decided the Leinback plow was a dud. It was adjusted properly, set at an acceptable depth, ect. It just flat pulled like a boat anchor. [ snip...]

If the Leinbachs are designed like the Fords then why do they pull like a boat anchor? I mean, how wrong can you get a basic plow design after all these years?

I was thinking of buying a Leingbach but now you got me nervous. Are they really THAT bad? I'd be interested in hearing other peoples experiences with the Leinbach plows.

If you believe the Leinbach is worthless what would you recommend that is in the same price range?

 

[Ford850]

SouthernX,
Farmwithjunk meant the wear parts are interchangeable with the Fords. The frame the holds them is nothing like the Fords though, and any slight angle difference will make a plow pull different. I have an old 2 bottom Ford plow that never did pull easily for me. Could be caused by a tweaked or bent frame. It has coulters and new wear parts, but still pulls very hard. My dad got tired of it so I found him a used TSC style single bottom. It has no coulter, and he doesn't even adjust it properly, but that thing rolls the sod better than the Ford. I just reworked a Ford 101 that I'm waiting to try this spring, and I expect that to be best for me. The bottom line is, some of the older plows could be messed up and a Leinbach would be better (if it fits your tractor).

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

what is a trip beam? i thought they had shear bolts....the old ones had a wooden peg???

rookie question #3.....

 

[Ford850]

The Ford 101 plows, for example, were available in either a shear bolt or trip beam style. The trip beam has a spring loaded trigger that releases under pressure and is reset by backing up to click the plow back into position. The release pressure is adjustable too.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

there was a link posted in the other plow thread that is going right now.....i looked through many of the brochures and found this one to be interesting...

Plow Book by Ferguson-Sherman

here's the complete list of brochures/manuals:

Index of Manuals


edit: another good one.....there are many..

http://www.ntractorclub.com/forums/manuals/messages/2320.html

 

[Farmwithjunk]

If the Leinbachs are designed like the Fords then why do they pull like a boat anchor? I mean, how wrong can you get a basic plow design after all these years?

I was thinking of buying a Leingbach but now you got me nervous. Are they really THAT bad? I'd be interested in hearing other peoples experiences with the Leinbach plows.

If you believe the Leinbach is worthless what would you recommend that is in the same price range?

1st off, I don't believe the Leinback plow is "worthless", just not the BEST plow I've ever had ahold of. They'll do the job, but there are better choices, especially if you're able to find a good, older model plow from a major line manufacturer.

The Lienback plows use parts that will "fit" a Ford plow, but they aren't the quality of "fit" that wear parts used to have.... Also, frame geometry plays a HUGE part in how a plow pulls. They're like so many things....there's more to it than meets the eye.

All things equal, if you're not planning on plowing 1000 acres, more like a few, or just a garden, a Leinbach plow may be just the trick. But I'd consider other options for a large acreage plow be it me......

 

[Solo]

I have used two different plows with my TC18 to work my garden. The first an International plow (not IH) the second a Leinbach model 19-12. The International was junk, the Leinbach pulled easily through my clay soil. After the Leinbach was set up correctly I could hardly tell it was there. You can see pics of both with the link below.

Solo