Plowing

[jeff9366]

Take pictures with the plow mounted on the 3-Pt. and further pictures with the plow working, if possible.

If it is a 12" plow it is just barely wide enough for 12" rear tractor tires, and only then if the plow cuts 6" to 7" deep.

12" width is the most common width for single bottom plows.

 

[jeff9366]

Here is a search of the T-B-N archive using the words: "MF135 Draft Control":

https://www.google.com/search?clien...ntrol+site:tractorbynet.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

[Eric6714]

Thanks Jeff I just printed out a full operator manual for my 135 thanks for all the info.

 

[newbury]

<snip>I've been told a Massey 135 will pull two bottoms no problem it is virgin ground tn red clay. <snip>
Eric

That is confusing. Were you told: the MF 135 would pull two bottoms no problem? And you have virgin ground and it's red clay.
Or "the MF 135 would pull two bottoms in virgin ground of red clay"?

My M4700 (with loaded rears) at times struggled pulling a 1 bottom 16" plow through cutover brambles, weeds, saplings in marine clay. Second pass was eazy peazy.

The clay may be part of your problem.

 

[Eric6714]

I talked to several guys around here were I live some at a local dealer others old farmers and they all said a 135 could pull a two bottom now they did say of course the harder the dirt the harder it was. The plow have is a one bottom it goes in good and I'll go a ways and it looks to me like it goes deeper and I'll work my position control. I sat it level on a flat service the plow that is. I've heard of putting your left tire on a 6 inch block and setting your plow like it is in the furrow. I haven't done that yet . And of course this is my first time plowing I don't think I'm using my draft right. I'll figure it out but a wise man seeks council.
Thanks Eric

 

[jeff9366]

The plow have is a one bottom it goes in good and I'll go a ways and it looks to me like it goes deeper.

The technical term for this is plow suck. You adjust suck by changing Top Link length. Decrease the suck by lengthening the Top Link, which pushes rear of plow down, front up. Leveling front to rear by adjusting the Top Link is critical on all plows. This is covered in TIRE/FURROW LINK in Post #5.

If you have too deep plow suck, your Draft Control will raise the plow automatically, which is Draft Control's correct function. When the plow is adjusted properly and the Draft Control is adjusted properly, the hydraulic system will not move the plow up or down UNLESS the plow encounters an obstruction, in which case your Draft Control will raise the plow automatically.

With too much plow suck, the plow and Draft Control are cycling/fighting, one against the other.

I sat the plow level on a flat surface. I've heard of putting your left tire on a 6 inch block and setting your plow like it is in the furrow. I haven't done that yet.

Adjusting on two (2) blocks is appropriate for two and three bottom plows, not for a one bottom plow. Put the one bottom plow in the ground and level it with a Bubble Level. Leveling left to right with a one bottom plow is NOT critical.

Unless your right rear tire is approximately 6" below grade when in the furrow you cannot adjust the plow to turn soil properly. As explained in the TIRE/FURROW LINK in Post #5, one of your difficulties may be that your rear tire is too wide to travel 6" below grade in the furrow of a 12" plow. HOW WIDE ARE YOUR REAR TIRES?

 

[Eric6714]

You the man Jeff thanks

 

[jeff9366]

HOW WIDE ARE YOUR REAR TIRES?????????

 

[Eric6714]

The tire says 13.6-28 on 12 inch rim

 

[jeff9366]

Too wide for IDEAL plowing with a 12" plow. Your right rear tire is probably only 2" to 3" below grade in the furrow. The staggered/offset lower link pins on the plow are spaced to level the plow when your right tire is 6" below grade. However, as you have a one bottom plow, you should do "all right".

You can groove dirt, however, it is unlikely that you will get sod to flip in a picture perfect manner.

You situation with your plow/tires is the same as the OP in the thread in Post #5, except you have a single bottom plow.

If you buy another plow, get one with 14" width bottoms. You can pull a good condition 2 X 14" Category I plow in moist clay, after vegetation has been bush hogged very short, WITHOUT filling ag tires. Trust me.

I would spend 25 engine hours fooling with your existing 12" plow, learning, before considering a two bottom plow, which is more critical to adjust.



Plow maintenance: Do not let your moldboards and ground contact parts rust. Coat with marine/water-resistant grease between uses, or spray on a thin coat of Rustoleum. I use Rustoleum in high humidity, salt air, Florida. Cover your plow with a cotton-canvas tarp, NOT an impermeable plastic tarp.

If you had your city and state in your T-B-N profile another reader might know where a 2 X 14" plow is laying in the weeds near you and contact you with the information. It happens.