Plowing and Discing with L4300DT

[JimME]

I bought a Pittsburgh Plow 2-14" with auto trip and adjusting lever from Sweet Equipment. I couldn't find anything this small in good shape in northern Maine. The transaction and delivery went without a hitch. Ken Sweet is a gentleman and very knowledgeable. I would buy from him again.

I plowed about an acre today. Here is a pic of the plow. It took some adjusting to get the plow functioning well. The narrow front wheels of my L4300DT required me to side shift/adjust the plow to the left so the first moldboard would have some ground to bite. I ran the left rear tire on a 7-8" cement block and adjusted the 3 point arms until the plow was leveled side to side and front to rear. This plow has a hand lever adjust which changes the direction the plow points. I found that plowing in high range, 2nd gear at about 2,000 rpm turned the sod over nicely. I fought with buried bailing twine (lots of it) which kept binding in the sod and dirt causing it to not release from the plow and create a giant dirtball that I had to stop and remove.

The L4300DT pulled the plow well, but for those questioning a 3-bottom with this sized tractor, I wouldn't do it. Even with loaded rear tires and the loader on for extra weight, this plow feels well matched to the tractor and gave it a good workout. The ground hasn't been turned in many years and was a bit too wet in places. I almost got stuck discing.

 

[JimME]

Here is a pic of the John Deere disc I bought from Sweet Equipment. It is the old pull or drag type which costs considerably less than a 3 point lift type. In my opinion, it sinks in and cuts better than a 3 pt. lift disc.

 

[JimME]

A picture showing the interference with the frame for the right coulter and the right 3 pt. arm BEFORE I side shifted the plow to the left. After adjusting the plow to the left, this was no longer a problem.

 

[JimME]

Starting this morning with the little fellas watching.

 

[JimME]

Reinforcements ready should I get stuck.

 

[JimME]

A pic of the bailing twine that kept gumming up the process.

 

[JimME]

One additional note: If you have rocky ground or ledges you may want to consider an "auto trip" plow if you buy used. I've used a shear pin plow and every time it trips you have to get off the tractor and replace the pin/bolt. The autotrip tripped twice today due to underground ledge/large rocks. All I had to do was backup to reset the plow and I was on my way. Very easy...

 

[Laminarman]

Jim

Thanks for the great post. Excellent photos! I'm about to try my hand plowing next week. I'm borrowing a plow from a friend, and he'll be there to help me out and give tips.

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks Jim and it was a pleasure doing business with you. I dont know how long you have been plowing, but those furrows look as good as I have ever seen! A nice 6 inch well casing with a couple hooks welded on, would make a nice drag for that JD disc harrow and help seal off that sod and speed up the decay process. --Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Over 1000 Pieces new and used equipment*

 

[nobull1]

Good pic's Jim, glad to see your getting the Kubota dirty /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.Looks like it's drying up pretty good in your area.

 

[DieselnHooters]

I never was a big fan of compact tractors but you managed to really impress me there Jim. On the other hand I hope you have other more suited usages for your L4300 since even a 35 years old MF 135 WITH 2 WD and only 35 PTO HP would have made that easier, still great work and nice pictures. thank you

 

[sweettractors]

In Kentucky, after seeing the work it performs, Full time farmers would call that a full size tractor. I personally think that usually under 30 HP is CUT and over 30 is closer to what Farmers use to tend a hundred acre farm with--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New Disc Mowers and Hay Tedders in Stock*

 

[JoeR]

Great pictures, but I couldn't help but notice that everyone was wearing gloves and jackets. I am down here with the A/C on since it is getting too hot. I was thinking of disking my pastures recently, but I didn't feel like getting out in the heat.

Can we trade some warm air for some of that cool air you have?

Joe

 

[JimME]

Laminarman:
Doing this on a small scale is fun. Just be sure to level out your plow for best results. If you have a 14" bottom plow, drive your left rear tire on a 7" block (you should plow 1/2 the depth of the plow bottom width) and level the plow out side to side and front to rear. Have fun.

DieselnHooters:
I'm not sure how the MF 135 would have made it easier... My experience plowing is with old iron (Allis Chalmers WD-45 and a Ford 8N). The L4300DT is no WD-45, but it is better than the 8N in regards to plowing. When you factor in the all around versatility of this tractor (with loader, manueverability, etc.) it exceeds either of the two tractors I mentioned and the MF 135 as well.

JoeR:
6 months ago we lived outside Bronson, FL (near Chiefland, Williston, Gainesville). 3 of the reasons we moved here were: fire ants, sand spurs and the continuous heat! haha

 

[DieselnHooters]

MF-135 is heavier, much bigger tires, better traction, superior hydraulics and 3 point capacity, still only 35 HP, dont sell an ag tractor short even those tiny 2wd from yesteryears, a 8n is an antique in no way comparable to either a L4300 or a MF135 from the late '60s early '70s. Like someone else mentionned yours is almost a utility tractor although still sold as a compact., kinda like the best of both worlds, by the way i am still impressed /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Laminarman]

So you drive it up on a block on the left tire before leveling? I've seen posts suggest leveling while on level ground, then after the first plow, sit the right tire in the rut, and re-level. Any thoughts on the differences? My friend will help I'm sure, but to be honest he's not an old wrinkled farmer either (I assume you're not also!)

 

[kensfarm]

Looks great! I can tell from the pictures.. it was kinda wet.. def. too wet for the disc's out there.. the tractor will labor less when plowing if the ground was dryer.. but sometimes the farmers will plow up a field to help it dry out.

"autotrip tripped twice today"

I plowed all day last friday.. because of the rock shelf's running underneath.. mine would trip 2 to 3 times per pass on one spot.. but I was plowing as deep as I could go.

 

[Slamfire]

Well yes, on tilting the plow after the first furrow, however level the plow on the ground the first furrow is going into, It may not be level. Doesn't seem to help a whole lot though, the first furrow is always bad till the plow gets polished anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[JimME]

Laminarman:

Yes, that's what I do. The tweaking and adjusting is fairly straight forward and makes the difference in how well the plow works.