Power Required to Pull a Two-Bottom Moldboard Plow

[AK47]

Hello,

I just recently purchased a Kubota L3300 used tractor that is about 33 HP and has simple 2wd. I'd like to use it to plow about 2 acres of land to plant a few crops like corn and garlic. Before I go ahead and do that, I'd first like to find out if this tractor has the HP and weight to pull a 1 bottom plow let alone a 2 bottom plow on the first pass.

Anyone have any experience using these type of tractors for agriculture? Your input would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Looking4new]

Welcome to TBN from northern Ontario.

I had a Farmall C (20 hp) that I used to pull a two bottom breaking plow with no problems.

 

[ovrszd]

You've got plenty of HP. It's whether you can hook it to the ground or not. Not sure what your tractor weighs?? Also, are you talking about a 3pt mounted plow?? If so, it'll help with the traction problem versus a pull type.

According to TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors your tractor weighs 2610-2765lbs. You should be fine with a 2 bottom plow. If you've added rear tire fluid or have wheel weights to boost that weight it will handle it even better.

 

[zionview]

Our full size farm tractors required about 10- 12HP per 14" bottom when we were plowing. Now I pull a single bottom 12" with either a B8200(Ags) or BX2200(turfs) with no problems. I plow in 4WD and do not add any weight, other than keeping the loader on the BX, cause I'm too lazy to take it off. An L3300 should handle a 2-bottom with ease, and maybe a 3-bottom in good conditions.

 

[AK47]

Thanks for the quick responses and appreciate the welcoming. I also wanted to point out that the land I'm using is a very hard clay soil so I'm not sure if that will significantly impact the ability of the tractor to plow through that soil efficiently. I also have a loader on the front which worries me about the tractors ability to pull a two bottom plow due to traction issues.

 

[Looking4new]

I would stay with a 2 bottom. It might take a little longer, but you wont have any problem.

 

[jeff9366]

I pulled a 2-12 Ford 101 behind my Kubota B3300SU through rock free, sandy loam, with no particular problem but it had four wheel drive and R4 tires.

Pulling a moldboard plow is high draft force work.

I am doubtful you can pull a two bottom plow with two wheel drive, through clay.

I think you will need to restrict yourself to a single plow in clay. For two acres a single bottom plow is not that great a restriction. With a single plow you can go to 14" wide moldboard, which will be a limited compensation.

 

[zionview]

I would stay with a 2 bottom. It might take a little longer, but you wont have any problem.

Agreed. Knowing you have clay, you'll be happier with a 2-bottom. And the loader is a help, not a hindrance. It'll act as a fulcrum to aid traction. We added front end weights to our tractors when plowing, except for the loader tractor. It didn't need any. Watch your rear wheel slippage-you may need some wheel weights, or calcium in your rear tires. Or just put her in 4WD and give it a try!

 

[wmonroe]

Are your rear tires loaded? If not I would get rim guard in them and then hook up to the 2 bottom and go.

 

[jeff9366]

Hello,

I just recently purchased a Kubota L3300 used tractor that is about 33 HP and has simple 2wd.

OP's tractor has two-wheel drive.

 

[motownbrowne]

It's gonna depend on your tire type, and weight of your tractor. Loaded R1s with weight out front might do two in the right conditions. No chance for a three bottom, and I wouldn't be too surprised to see one bottom being easier with heavy clay.

 

[Verticaltrx]

It's gonna depend on your tire type, and weight of your tractor. Loaded R1s with weight out front might do two in the right conditions. No chance for a three bottom, and I wouldn't be too surprised to see one bottom being easier with heavy clay.

Agreed. You must remember this is a compact tractor and moldboard plowing wasn't one of its main design parameters. In heavy clay my Ford NAA struggles with a 2-14" bottom plow, and it was designed for plowing. Traction is ok (R1 tires with fluid) but power is lacking, and I think an L3300 has even a bit less power. Honestly, my IH 454 Diesel is none too much tractor for a 2-14" plow in heavy clay, and its 5000lb+ and 40 PTO hp. I personally would go with a single 14" bottom on a L3300 to be on the safe side, given the heavy soil. There is a huge difference in plowing sandy soil or midwest loam versus heavy clay.

 

[bdog]

I had some difficulty pulling a 4 bottom with a 95 hp 2wd tractor. I could pull it unless I went to deep but the real problem was steering. The plow bit so hard that it made the front end light and it wanted to pull me to the side.

 

[jemclimber]

I really think you'd be happier with a single. New ground breaking can ask for a lot of traction.

 

[newbury]

Just another data point.
M4700 50HP, loaded rears, 1 bottom 16" plow. Pulled fine in loamy soil, hit a patch of marine clay and just about stalled it.

 

[Daver1963]

I'm using a 2 X 12 Ferguson plow on my L2800 with R4s. My big advice would be to make sure you have good sharp coulters for help cutting through the clay. If you have ag tires that should help even more.
Here is me plowing with it. You be the judge of what you can do.

 

[nybirdman]

DaveR,were you in 4WD when plowing.I know my L3130 with a 2/12 Dearborn had to be in 4WD with R1 tires when it got tough going.OP only has 2WD and I think he would struggle with a 2 bottom.The OP may want to purchase a middle-buster(potato plow) for the initial ground breaking. It should pull a single bottom with no problem.

 

[Daver1963]

DaveR,were you in 4WD when plowing.I know my L3130 with a 2/12 Dearborn had to be in 4WD with R1 tires when it got tough going.OP only has 2WD and I think he would struggle with a 2 bottom.The OP may want to purchase a middle-buster(potato plow) for the initial ground breaking. It should pull a single bottom with no problem.

I was in 4wd for this video, but the ground was a little damper than I liked. However, it was fixin' to rain and I wanted to get it done before it was a muddy mess again. I have plowed in 2wd with this plow when the ground was a bit dryer and with crappy coulters. I replaced them this year.
I'd rather have a single bottom than a middle buster. The single bottom would turn the ground better.

 

[Kioti Tom]

I noticed that DaveR has the slotted moldboards. They were designed for Clay/Sticky soils.
He was doing well. A bit faster might have done a better job of turning the grass under.
Still, nothing to complain about.

tom

 

[AK47]

Thanks for all the helpful info guys, much needed and appreciated.

After seeing Daver1963 plowing his field with a similar tractor to mine, I feel confident that I'll be able to pull a single bottom furrow but I probably wont do any more due to my soil type. Glad to hear that your able to plow with a 2wd as well.