Plowing new ground.

[m7040]

now this old plow does not have coulter wheels attached but has the clamps and bolts that looks like they were used for that> the only markings I can find is a Chief decal. What dealer will this be and can I still get original parts for it??

 

[Farmwithjunk]

see attached pic, will this plow work??

I can't speak to the specifics of your tractor, but from experience around other tractors in the 70 hp range, you should be able to use a 4 bottom plow. To answer the question "will this plow work", I'd rather put the money needed to fix that one into a nice 3-point plow. Just my personal preference though.

Those are semi-mounted plows. The "threaded rod" steers the rear wheel with "input" from the hitch. (Actually "counter-steer") There is some adjustment to make it track behind the tractor in the desired line.

The only "chief" I know of was International Harvester "PLOW CHIEF" and "SUPER CHIEF" bottoms. I haven't tried myself, but I'm told parts are getting BIGTIME scarce.

Remember, the object ISN'T always to get the biggest plow you can drag. You plow much more efficiently, as well as being easier on the tractor when you pull a bit smaller plow and travel at a good ground speed. That also allows you to plow in the toughest of conditions without overloading anything. More practical, more efficient, easier to locate/purchase, "smaller" might be a lot better in this case. Unless you plan on plowing literally hundreds of acres and do it every year, I'd go with something like 3X16" fully mounted (3-point) and enjoy the ease of operation.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'm there. Count me in!! Sure is wet right now though.

I've been extremely busy at work and at home lately. Hadn't seen a weather forcast for 3 days when I looked out the window this morning. It ain't wet , yet anyway. All frozen precip last night. Maybe 1" but a thin glaze of ice on everything. Bridges and overpasses were terrible on the way in to work.

That isn't your best plowing conditions.

Through the miracle of photo editing, we can demonstrate how to adjust a plow even after it's already done. I'm ready to break this thing in. Just have to wait for a window of opportunity. Living on a hill, we get 5 or 6 days without rain and we can roll over some sod.

And under no conditions do I plow when there's snow falling

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hey Farm! I had thought I would have to get a 2-bottom plow for my tractor. But the manual says I can use up to a 3x16. But I think that a 3x14" would be a much better fit. And a 2x14" may be easier to handle. How much you willing to let that thing go for? I could swing by and pick it up anytime. I know that plow would be properly restored and in good shape. I have looked at some used plows and browsed Sweettractors.com website. But before I had no idea what I was looking for, as far as how worn it is. Hopefully after this thread is over I'll be an educated consumer on plows.

As far as what to shop for.... With most of the more popular brands of 3-point plows, you can still scrounge all the wear parts. Landslides are getting dicey with some models, and moldboards getting RIDICULOUS in price. (near $100each PLUS shipping) Coulters are all but impossible to buy and/or replace. Entire coulter assemblies might mean buying a parts plow if they aren't intact and on the plow you buy. You don't HAVE to have a tailwheel, but they do help a lot. I'd look for a COMPLETE plow, one with all the coulter hardware, decent moldboards being a plus, as well as having good landslides IF it isn't an easy brand to find parts. Your best plow for the buck and easiest to find parts for is the Ford 101. Next would be Massey #66 or #43.

 

[Gizmo36]

m7040 The parts for that plow is hard to get and what you do find they will have a lot of pride in them.$$$..I just gave one away with 5 on it.What it cost to fix three on that one you can buy a new one and have money left.

 

[Glowplug]

Hadn't seen a weather forcast for 3 days when I looked out the window this morning. It ain't wet , yet anyway. All frozen precip last night. Maybe 1" but a thin glaze of ice on everything. Bridges and overpasses were terrible on the way in to work.

And under no conditions do I plow when there's snow falling

Yeah, no kidding. That was a surprise to me. The country roads around here were quite treacherous in the morning before the salt trucks and plows got out. You know something's up when Fayette County schools are cancelled. The only time I think they've been cancelled is during the ice storm of 2003 and the blizzard of 1998.

I may have to look again at that plow I saw at Giles farm equipment. International Harvester I think you said it was. It looks in very good shape. Even though the parts are hard to come by, if it's in really good shape I probably would never plow enough to wear it out.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Yeah, no kidding. That was a surprise to me. The country roads around here were quite treacherous in the morning before the salt trucks and plows got out. You know something's up when Fayette County schools are cancelled. The only time I think they've been cancelled is during the ice storm of 2003 and the blizzard of 1998.

I may have to look again at that plow I saw at Giles farm equipment. International Harvester I think you said it was. It looks in very good shape. Even though the parts are hard to come by, if it's in really good shape I probably would never plow enough to wear it out.

In the next few days I need to call in a parts order to my favorite mail order parts house. While I've got them on the line, I'll "check stock" on a few IH plow parts. I don't know for a fact that parts are scarce. A 3 bottom plow that's in good shape should have a couple hundred acres of life left in them before they're worn out. If you've got 200 acres of plowing needing done, I know where the plow day can be held!

 

[Glowplug]

In the next few days I need to call in a parts order to my favorite mail order parts house. While I've got them on the line, I'll "check stock" on a few IH plow parts. I don't know for a fact that parts are scarce. A 3 bottom plow that's in good shape should have a couple hundred acres of life left in them before they're worn out.

Thanks. That would be great! From looking at the photo of that plow can you tell what kind of shape it is in?

If you've got 200 acres of plowing needing done, I know where the plow day can be held!

I don't know about that!! Not unless we decided to "borrow" the neighbors' land for plowing!

 

[Ken S.in Ky.]

Really enjoyed this thread. Hope I can make it to the pllow day sounds like fun

 

[Farmwithjunk]

From looking at the photo of that plow can you tell what kind of shape it is in?

Well, it looks good and red.... Hard to say from the quality of picture my monitor will provide. The frame seems to all be there. All the wear parts still resemble the original, so it isn't worn beyond use. I'd probably change shares and maybe shins before using seriously. Can't really tell about moldboard wear. They'll wear out 3 or 4 sets of shares. It's been years since I last looked at an IH plow up close. Seems to me they have a replaceable "wear pad" on the landslides. Those can be fabricated if not readily available. That will be a HEAVY plow relative to some other brands. That can be good, that can be bad. Generally speaking, most plows you'll see with the box beam frame will be higher trash clearance than truss frame style plows. That's important if you're plowing under stalks or weeds.