plowing with hst

[flatlander dave]

I have a dk50hst and need to do some plowing. My question is how safe to run a single or double bottom plow with a hydra trans.? It is old pasture and the sod is about 10" thick. I have about 8 acres to work. I was told once that plowing may cause trans to get to hot. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[oldnslo]

I have a dk50hst and need to do some plowing. My question is how safe to run a single or double bottom plow with a hydra trans.? It is old pasture and the sod is about 10" thick. I have about 8 acres to work. I was told once that plowing may cause trans to get to hot. Any advise would be appreciated.

Dave,
not familiar with your model of tractor but yes you can plow with the HST transmission. What you may have to do is pay attention to how hot it is getting. Some models have oil coolers on them and the smaller compacts do not. Plow for a while and then check the tranny housing temperature. Anything over 200-220 degrees F is starting to push the limits of seal material etc.

Roy

 

[beenthere]

Are you planning to plow 10" deep?

 

[flatlander dave]

Are you planning to plow 10" deep?

I am planning on going below sod, 12-14". Thanks for info on tranny temp.

 

[beenthere]

12-14" deep is a loooong way down for a normal moldboard plow. 6-8" is more the norm.

But admit I'm not familiar with the soils and conditions in Idaho.

 

[oldnslo]

I lived and Farmed by Boise for 6 years. The soil was rock hard when dry and sticky gumbo when wet. If you are going to try and plow that deep you had better have a high clearance tractor or your belly will drag when the wheel drops in the furrough. I can tell you from experience that you feel real stupid being stuck on dry ground. half of a tire revolution spinning can get you real stuck.

What is your reason for wanting to plow so deep. Turn over the top 6 - 8" and the roots will die.

Roy

 

[sweettractors]

I have a dk50hst and need to do some plowing. My question is how safe to run a single or double bottom plow with a hydra trans.? It is old pasture and the sod is about 10" thick. I have about 8 acres to work. I was told once that plowing may cause trans to get to hot. Any advise would be appreciated.

If I had my mind set on doing damage that deep, I would consider a subsoiler about every 3 ft apart or so and then moldboard plow at normal depth (5-7 inches). Ken Sweet

 

[warhammer]

FWIW -I recently subsoiled several acres of compacted soil with my DK45SEHST. This was hours of 24-2500 rpm, low range, sometimes 4wd. After 3 hours or so I stopped and put my hand on the rear differential - it was very warm but not like it was going to burn my skin as I could leave it on the metal for several seconds before it felt hot.
A week later I bush hogged ~5 acres. That was 3.5 hours of 2000 rpm with a 5 foot bush hog. The tractor definitely was not working nearly as hard as when subsoiling. At the end the differential heat felt about the same.

I have a dk50hst and need to do some plowing. My question is how safe to run a single or double bottom plow with a hydra trans.? It is old pasture and the sod is about 10" thick. I have about 8 acres to work. I was told once that plowing may cause trans to get to hot. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[flatlander dave]

Thanks for all the input and advice.

FWIW -I recently subsoiled several acres of compacted soil with my DK45SEHST. This was hours of 24-2500 rpm, low range, sometimes 4wd. After 3 hours or so I stopped and put my hand on the rear differential - it was very warm but not like it was going to burn my skin as I could leave it on the metal for several seconds before it felt hot.
A week later I bush hogged ~5 acres. That was 3.5 hours of 2000 rpm with a 5 foot bush hog. The tractor definitely was not working nearly as hard as when subsoiling. At the end the differential heat felt about the same.