Poughing with a Fort two wheeler

[garlicscott]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum so would like to introduce myself and ask for advice all in my first post. I have a small holding in Poland, where I'm busy setting up a garlic farm, been at it a couple of years and it's going well. I have a Fort two wheel tractor with I believe a Lombardini 6.5hp diesel motor,
4 fwd and rev gears with diff lock, I think the tractor is from the same stable as ferrari, goldoni and BCS it's italian anyway. I have a quality reversable single share plough with pre cut knife and would like to do some ploughing with it but have some concerns, the ground has been worked continuosly since time in memorial, but I only have 12 inch wheels but do have a tandem set, could I effectively plough with this set up? as all the videos I have watched the tractors all seem to have larger diameter wheels.
Thanks in advance for any input
Scott

 

[ferrari99]

Personally I think weight not tire size will be your limiting factor.

 

[garlicscott]

Personally I think weight not tire size will be your limiting factor.

The weight was my concern actually and thought that by using the tandem wheel set up would give me the traction I need, I've thought about buying some used weight lifting weights and some how fix these onto my wheels, or maybe make some kind of frame and get some weight on that over the axle. I'm working in Norway and dont have acces to my tractor to try it out at the moment.

 

[js5020]

I think weight would be the limiting factor but easily remedied with barbell weights and homebrew adapters. Someone on the site has made themselves a set of steel wheels which are pretty aggressive in combination with the added weight.

 

[garlicscott]

I think weight would be the limiting factor but easily remedied with barbell weights and homebrew adapters. Someone on the site has made themselves a set of steel wheels which are pretty aggressive in combination with the added weight.

I have metalworking knowledge and welding equipment so anything should be possible, I can buy barbel weights and planning on buying 4 x 25kg and want to try to fit one weight between the dual wheel setup with 50kg on the front, just out of interest if this proves to be effective, how long should it take me to plough just over 3 acres, or exactly 1300m2, lets say the plough is single share, reversable and 6 inch and the going fair, the field is rectangular 3 times longer than width. How long must I plan for this, one or two days. I've never done this before and want to try, if they could do it with one horse surely I can do it with my two wheeler.

 

[js5020]

How long to plow 3 acres? Well I've never undertook more than a 1/4 acre garden myself with a walk behind and I used a rotary plow. From some horse plowing sites they claim a plowman walks 11 miles for every acre plowed when using a 9" plow if that info helps to determine how long it will take?

 

[Jens767]

Hi Garlicscott

Welcome to this great forum!

I think a little typing-error has slipped into your last post that might confuse our US-friends: You probably meant to write "just over 1/3 acre" as that equals 1300 m2.

You are right about the wheel size, especially when working on soft ground, large diameter wheels will give you more traction than small diameter wheels. That is why 2-wheel tractors from the 1950s to the 1970s, that were used professionally, often had 18" or even 20" wheels.

I think 12" wheels are on the small side for plowing, and I do not expect that duals or extra weight will help you much.


Best regards

Jens

 

[oldmech]

Hi! For plowing we need traction. BCS and Grillo are too light and need weight in wheels. I add 80 lbs for my Grillo. Second is grip tire chains are very good.Because chains are self cleaning. In wet ground tire grip come full and slip no more traction. Personnal! Tandem wheels are zero for plowing soil or snow . I make steel wheels ( Homemade.) Pads are 2 in.x 4.in Very good traction but not very good for grass. For you try with 100 lbs in wheels . and try tire chains. For traction tires chains are very good Good luck! Oldmech

 

[Jens767]

Hi again Garlicscott

You and everyone else are of course right about the weight - sorry. Not only have many older 2-wheel tractors taller wheels than most modern ones, but they were often 2-3 times heavier as well. This is good, because taller wheels and more weight both will enhance traction.

With 12" wheels, you probably have 23" tires, which should be fine. I have put 15 kg (33 lbs.) wheel weights on each of my 12" wheels, and it has improved traction a lot, so if you are able to install 100 kg (220 lbs.) on your tractor, you are definitely on the right track.


Best regards

Jens