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?

 

[Mechanos]

While I have no actual experience plowing myself... my dad used to always tell me that the most important factor was to know when to plow. In order to get the best results, the soil conditions need to be just right (moisture content, etc.) and to know when that is only comes from experience.

 

[KTurner]

Thanks everybody. To summarize the most common responses - Get it nice and shiny, go faster and angle it.

As for snow versus dirt, we've only seen a very small flurry this year - you could practically count the flakes. When I did this plowing, this past Sunday, it was in the 60s. The temp has been in the teens today and just broke 20 about an hour ago. It's supposed to be almost 70 on Saturday. Southeast VA.

Keith

 

[AGRIMAN]

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.
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.

I break (plow) a few acres of my land every year (between 50 to 100). I agree with the tips given for the most part. More speed will help to flip the dirt over, but if the grass is thick it would help to harrow over it first. This will also help in getting the plow to level.

You may not get it "smooth", but you should get it level. For small areas like a garden spot you can harrow it back level fairly quick, but on larger acreages you would be in trouble with that.

Another tip for you is to watch the top link pin. When you get the plow set correctly, the pin should be loss when plowing. This works on both my 4 and 5 bottom plows, never had to adjust a 2 bottom, but it should be no different.

I have a 5 bottom switch plow now and it's a bit of a different animal.

 

[duwem]

Make sure your shares arent worn (the point of the plow)

Once you make a few passes get off and check from behind if the plow is level, if not adjust your 3pt.

Here are some pointers.

Preparing Plow for Use:

There are some manuals for old ford/deerborn plows that give similar info.

 

[hunting404]

KT

Near us in SE Wisconsin they have "Plow Days". It is mostly for the old timers and guys with older equipment to get out and play around with their machines. A local farmer volunteers their property and allows people to plow. All sizes of tractors show up, from 15hp up to over 50hp. It is advertised in the papers and people come out to watch.
There are always people there to ask questions and get advice from. I look forward to it each year. Is there anything like that near you.

Jim

 

[duwem]

KT

Near us in SE Wisconsin they have "Plow Days". It is mostly for the old timers and guys with older equipment to get out and play around with their machines. A local farmer volunteers their property and allows people to plow. All sizes of tractors show up, from 15hp up to over 50hp. It is advertised in the papers and people come out to watch.
There are always people there to ask questions and get advice from. I look forward to it each year. Is there anything like that near you.

Jim

I'm also from WI and there are several antique tractor plow days. Gaining popularity these days is garden tractor plow days, I ususually try to get to one in the spring and one in the fall each year. Not uncommon for 50 or more garden tractors to get together and plow 20-40 acres in a day. Some of the bigger ones have over 100 tractors.