Problems if you get an attachment that's too small for your tractor?

[charlesw]

2 acres with a 2x16" plow is less than 2 hours work. (at a normal pace)

LOL! Um. Not falling for it. Like, not at all. That's 112 passes (AT LEAST) of 300' each. So, hmm, a 300' pass takes 1 minute? We're talking, what, here? 18 MPH? No chance. No way.

Ok, that was assuming 32" width for a two bottom plow (2 * 16" = 32". Um. Anyway...). Still, even if it were 64" wide that's still 9 MPH. No way he's going more than 3-4 MPH, I would guess. Sounds like a minimum of 8 hours, to me. I'd guess more because the width won't be perfect (there will be overlap in courses) and the speed won't be constant (because of turning and obstacles).

But, whatever. My question was on whether his tractor would trash the implements or not. You've all replied in the negative. I suppose I need to bow to your superior knowledge, here. But, darn it, I did go through a few things myself! Things that were undersized compared even to my small tractor of the time!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

LOL! Um. Not falling for it. Like, not at all. That's 112 passes (AT LEAST) of 300' each. So, hmm, a 300' pass takes 1 minute? We're talking, what, here? 18 MPH? No chance. No way.

Ok, that was assuming 32" width for a two bottom plow (2 * 16" = 32". Um. Anyway...). Still, even if it were 64" wide that's still 9 MPH. No way he's going more than 3-4 MPH, I would guess. Sounds like a minimum of 8 hours, to me. I'd guess more because the width won't be perfect (there will be overlap in courses) and the speed won't be constant (because of turning and obstacles).

But, whatever. My question was on whether his tractor would trash the implements or not. You've all replied in the negative. I suppose I need to bow to your superior knowledge, here. But, darn it, I did go through a few things myself! Things that were undersized compared even to my small tractor of the time!

You just set the bar higher for "Fuzzy math". I've been farming on my own for over 35 years. I grew up on a farm too. I spent much of my youth plowing with a 2-bottom plow. I've plowed (literally) hundreds (maybe thousands) of acres with a 2-bottom plow. It is EASY to plow well over an acre an hour with 2X14" plows @ 4-1/2 to 5 MPH. I'd bet the ranch on it.


Width in inches X MPH, divide by 10 will give you 10 hours worth of acreage. Divide by 10 AGAIN and get 1 hours worth. That equates to 1.4 acres per hour @ 5MPH and a 2X14" plow. That doesn't include "wasted motion" like turning and wheel spin. Factor in 10 to 15% for that.

In the event you'd like to give away a paycheck on a bet, let me know, I've got a field needing plowed.

 

[charlesw]

You just set the bar higher for "Fuzzy math".

Fuzzy math? 2*14" = 28". 300' in inches is 3600. 3600/28 = 129 -> that's 129 rows that are 28" wide. 2 acres is 129 rows times 300 feet or 39,000 linear feet. Add 10-15% for wasted motion. Call this 45,000 lf. Sounds like roughly 9 miles. Sounds like 4 1/2 mph would do that in 2 hours. Hmm. Well. So there you have it. The fuzzy mathers strike again! Bwa ha ha! Besides, come on, man! Who is running a plow through thick clay at 5 mph??

Ahem. Pardon my original math. La la la....

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Besides, come on, man! Who is running a plow through thick clay at 5 mph??

Uhhhh, let's see................... I do?

That's why "small plows" (i.e. under 5-bottom) stayed popular even after high HP farm tractors became the norm. As an example, this area has a lot of small fields connected by PUBLIC roads, Lots of hilly terrain, Odd shaped fields, and mre than the average number of small farms. When plowing was still done on a yearly basis, it was much more practical to use plows that were sorta small for the tractor that was dragging it and go faster with it. And do we ever have clay.

In an earlier post, I was commenting on how plows had a basic frame that could be added to. Here's my Deere 415 in 2 and 3-bottom configurations. This IS a lightweight plow by most standards. It was built to go on the back of Deere 40/420/430 2-bangers. By the way, they're not the best plows in the free world. No clearance. They plug BAD in cornstalks, and don't like sod. Best mounted plows? Ford 101 Close 2nd, Massey Ferguson #66. (They may or may NOT have been the best mounted plows EVER, but they're the best NOW. Parts are available for them. That can't be said for all plows)

Something to ALWAYS keep in mind with any plow. 12" plow/6" to 7" deep. 14" plow/7" to 8" deep. 16" plow/8" to 9" deep. In a perfect world, if EVERYTHING is done by the book, a 3 X 12" plow pulls easier than 2 X 16". It's not a perfect world

 

[charlesw]

Oooh! Nice and shiny! Where's the dirt? It's easy to run at 5mph if you keep the plow in the air! (Um. That's too funny to put a smiley face on that one!)

 

[Doc_Bob]

In an earlier post, I was commenting on how plows had a basic frame that could be added to. Here's my Deere 415 in 2 and 3-bottom configurations.

Nice pics! What is the little yellow wheel in the back? What does it do?
Bob

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Nice pics! What is the little yellow wheel in the back? What does it do?
Bob

Tailwheel. Also called Rolling Landslide. It takes just a tad bit of pressure off the landslides. They, along with that wheel equalize the force of the moldboard pushing against the soil.

It keeps the plow running straight.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Oooh! Nice and shiny! Where's the dirt? It's easy to run at 5mph if you keep the plow in the air! (Um. That's too funny to put a smiley face on that one!)

I've bought a LOT of paint in the last couple years.

 

[ovrszd]

Oooh! Nice and shiny! Where's the dirt? It's easy to run at 5mph if you keep the plow in the air! (Um. That's too funny to put a smiley face on that one!)

Easy there Charlie, you are the one that first said it was going to take 8 hours to plow 2 acres!!!! Hahahahaha!!!! With a horse maybe!!!! My Dad would have accused me of swimming in the creek if I took 8 hours to plow two acres!!!!

 

[Doc_Bob]

Here's my Deere 415 in 2 and 3-bottom configurations. This IS a lightweight plow by most standards. It was built to go on the back of Deere 40/420/430 2-bangers.

How do you keep the shares from rusting?
Bob