"Pulling" tractors

tf116 · Jun 13, 2006

Re: \"Pulling\" tractors

thanks not much on abbreviations....somewhere I read that you run the left tires of tractor up on 6" blocks (wooden?) and then you could level the plows...this would simulate right tires in furrow....
I have a set of 4 bottom plows and someone had reversed crossbar which you use to level plows...and so I was plowing about 12" deep on right side of furrows and around 4" deep on left side.....used plows and was like that when I bought them......
Just a thought, if you are plowing new ground, then you need a coulter (disc) in front of plows to cut the sod....if not plows will just sort of tear the ground-sod........
draft control will keep the plow at a uniform depth, as the tractor goes up and down with terrain....(works fairly well)...although I never plowed with a compact tractor with short wheel base......
Mike

Farmwithjunk · Jun 13, 2006

Re: \"Pulling\" tractors

( The bigest problem that you have is the TSC plow. It can't be set up to plow. If you ever have a chance to use your neighbors plow, get it and hook it to you tractor. Get him to help with the setup. I think that you will be suprised at the difference. The old Dearbon, Ferguson and some Massey plows (example: model #66 ) are hard to beat. )

I ran across a used TSC plow at an auction a few years back. It was cheap enough, so I brought it home. They use "Ford" wear parts. They aren't the highest quality parts though. (Seem to be Herschel wear parts.) They are replacements for Ford 101 series plows. That is the only advantage they have. The frame sits low. Not much "trash clearance". It's a heavy, bulky frame, even though it's not all that strong. (it flexes) Most I've seen don't have coulters. (They're offered as an option, but price is "prohibitive" to say the least) And I DETEST shearbolt plows. Make mine "re-set" trips. I hooked the set I bought to a 60 HP tractor that NORMALLY plows with 3X16"s. It struggled along with the 2X14" TSC plow. I sold 'em as quick as I could.

Laminarman · Jun 13, 2006

Re: \"Pulling\" tractors

Holy Cow, thanks for all the help. Thanks for the "ramble" Overszd, I really got a lot out of it! I will try to post photos of my setup. Also, this guy across the way is an old farmer, watching him plow is neat. He still gets a kick out of "flipping dirt" so you're right, I should go visit him. I have noticed that the TSC plow gets hung up with trash, it doesn't clear very well. I'm also wondering if having my tires set widely apart is hurting me. And finally, are you saying don't lock the sway bars with the pins to the link arms?? I assumed they always had to be locked for everything. Hmmmm...

ovrszd · Jun 13, 2006

Re: \"Pulling\" tractors

As for the sway bars/chains, I'm just saying you do not want them tight so the plow cannot swing. You just want them tight enough that the lift arms don't swing far enough to hit the tires of the tractor.

Also you don't sound like the type that needs to hear this, but, you shouldn't make fast turns at the end of the field. A plow is a fairly heavy piece of equipment and with the sway bars/chains loose the plow can get to swinging pretty fast before the sway stops it. Real hard on your sway bars/chains and lift arms.

Your neighbor definately would enjoy helping you with your plowing project. I'm sure he would even come over and help you set everything up in your field. He sounds like a true plow "artist".

Laminarman · Jun 13, 2006

Re: \"Pulling\" tractors

He's a great guy. He used to grow alfalfa and clover for hay, acres of potatoes, and he's strong as a bull and 78 years old. Raised nine kids in a two bedroom house, has 22 grandkids, and now farms his little 20 acre piece just to keep outside. He's evidence that contentment and peace have no relation to money- his tractor is a rustbucket and nearly 60 years old but it does it's job so he won't buy another one.

N80 · Jun 13, 2006

Re: \"Pulling\" tractors

The other thing to consider is that his dirt has probably been neatly plowed every year since he got the 8N. Probably plows a little easier than something that hasn't been plowed in a while.

Laminarman · Jun 13, 2006

Re: \"Pulling\" tractors

Uh.....no. I bought the land he used to plow, I just suck. He now turns dirt across the rural road we live on, and it was previously a Christmas tree farm. So he's only been working it for five/six years, and does a new patch every year, mostly growing buckwheat for soil conditioning and sorghum for the wildlife. He's got a tuned set up and been doing it for years.

ovrszd · Jun 14, 2006

Re: \"Pulling\" tractors

( Uh.....no. I bought the land he used to plow, I just suck. He now turns dirt across the rural road we live on, and it was previously a Christmas tree farm. So he's only been working it for five/six years, and does a new patch every year, mostly growing buckwheat for soil conditioning and sorghum for the wildlife. He's got a tuned set up and been doing it for years. )

Yep, he's an "artist" alright. Our neighbor is 86. He runs mostly cattle and just grows enough corn to grind for his feeder calves. He has a relatively new (15 year old) 4240 JD with a cab. He don't plow with that!!! He plows with a 40 year old 4020 and no cab, with a semi mounted 4 bottom plow. Doesn't want to strain the "new" tractor pulling a plow!!!! You gotta love dedication like that!!! I mow his road banks for him in the summer. He brings me home grown watermelons and sweet corn and cucumbers and always thanks me for mowing those steep roadbanks. I'd do anything for that man and he would do anything for me. I'm in Iraq now and he cried when he hugged me goodbye!! I think he was afraid it would be the last time he saw me. Not so much that he was worried about me not making it as he's worried about him not living that long. God Bless Country Life!!!

Laminarman · Jun 14, 2006

Re: \"Pulling\" tractors

Ovrszd, I assume you're serving in the forces? If so, thank you, thank you.

ovrszd · Jun 14, 2006

Re: \"Pulling\" tractors

( Ovrszd, I assume you're serving in the forces? If so, thank you, thank you. )

Yep, been here six months, six to go. I travel a lot, have been all over Afghanistan, Djibouti Africa, Kuwait and now Iraq. The only good part is that I fly a lot. I'll have to figure out how to post pictures and show you what the poor iraqi farmer uses. I swear there are more Massey Ferguson tractors in Iraq than there are in the U.S. When I've got a little time I'll start a thread and post some country pictures of Iraqi homesteads. We fly at about 150 ft so the view is excellent.

And, you are very welcome. I'm depending on you guys at home to keep things running smoothly so I can come back and enjoy our God given land!!! God Bless America!!!