Plowing pointers

[KTurner]

Other than a couple youtube videos, I've never seen plowing done up close. Here are some pictures of an attempt at plowing today and the tools. Any pointers on what I should do differently? The wire grass is terrible and was bunching up, especially on the first beam. I had the tractor (NH3230) in first gear at 1800rpm with the draft control on about 3.

Thanks
Keith

 

[Paul Thornton]

I also did some plowing.

L2800 w/FEL - 72" Land Pride rake

 

[Tx Jim]

I think you need to travel a little faster plus soil will flow better if moldboards were scoured(shiny)

 

[nybirdman]

It doesn't look too bad at all.It will get easier.I would need dynamite to plow dirt right now.Busy plowing ice and snow.Warmed up today to 28 degrees F.feels like a heat wave.

 

[DANOCHEESE]

That will work fine A tip would be to Raise the right side arm up so when your in the furrow the plow runs level. Someone will chime in with a guide that is somewhere here on how to set-up the plow.

 

[Thomas]

Paul Thornton.
"I also did some plowing.
L2800 w/FEL - 72" Land Pride rake.
.........................................................................................
Well figure the odds Paul.
Also live in NH,same make and model tractor setup but looks like you have little more snow than I.

Thomas Thornton.

 

[crowbar032]

I'm not a plowing expert, but I've done enough to be dangerous so I'll post anyway. Overall, I think it looks pretty good.

Some grass bunching up on the beam isn't terrible, if it's really bad you may need to lower the coulters some to make a bigger "slit" before the plow point goes goes through.

The first pass through the field the plow should be level with the tractor. Plow down and back essentially in the same spot. This is generally called the "dead furrow". The following passes, when you put your right wheels in the furrow you need to move the right side 3-point arm up (right side sitting on the tractor) to make the plow level with the ground again. With the tractor out of the furrow, the plow will be significantly angled up on the right side (right side sitting on the tractor).

When I plow, I run at PTO RMP and gear up or down until I get good traction. Probably somewhere in the 3-4 MPH range. I think some more speed will flip the sod over a little more.

I'm jealous that it's warm enough where you are to plow dirt. Most of us are plowing snow.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I'm not a plowing expert, but I've done enough to be dangerous so I'll post anyway. Overall, I don't think it looks pretty good.

Some grass bunching up on the beam isn't terrible, if it's really bad you may need to lower the coulters some to make a bigger "slit" before the plow point goes goes through.

The first pass through the field the plow should be level with the tractor. Plow down and back essentially in the same spot. This is generally called the "dead furrow". The following passes, when you put your right wheels in the furrow you need to move the right side 3-point arm up (right side sitting on the tractor) to make the plow level with the ground again. With the tractor out of the furrow, the plow will be significantly angled up on the right side (right side sitting on the tractor).

When I plow, I run at PTO RMP and gear up or down until I get good traction. Probably somewhere in the 3-4 MPH range. I think some more speed will flip the sod over a little more.

I'm jealous that it's warm enough where you are to plow dirt. Most of us are plowing snow.

Very good post.

To the OP, I agree that it looks like you need a little more speed. In your pics, it looks like the soil is being turned part way over, but not all the way. A little more speed, plus following Crowbar's other tips, should get you there.

In my experience with moldboarding (which has been a long time ago), you're never going to get a perfectly smooth field. We always ran a moldboard and then later plowed it with a one-way disc or tandem disc before we ran a grain drill over it.

 

[Farmerjonathan]

I agree that the moldboard needs better scouring (can use a sandy field or a grinder with a WIRE wheel to polish it). About the speed and draft, my biggest concern is keeping my off horse walking in the furrow. She does that, things generally go well! (never have plowed with a tractor, only with a team of two horses, three horses and 6 on a two bottom plow)

 

[mikehaugen]

I agree that the moldboard needs better scouring (can use a sandy field or a grinder with a WIRE wheel to polish it). About the speed and draft, my biggest concern is keeping my off horse walking in the furrow. She does that, things generally go well! (never have plowed with a tractor, only with a team of two horses, three horses and 6 on a two bottom plow)

But I have heard 20 horsepower per bottom?