Teach me the basics about plows

HCJ · Aug 1, 2009

I am considering a good plow to cut up food plots before discing. I know nothing about them so please clue me in on what would be recommended to pull behind a 68 hp M6800, 4 WD, with loaded ag tires. Soil varies, but has some clay and rocks. My disc just doesn't cut well unless it is somewhat wet. I was thinking a plow used first would speed up discing. Do many of you use a plow before discing?

What brand, what size, and what would the cost be?

I also considered a rotatiller, but the cost of a good one is steep, and the rocks we have scare me, and I already have a good disc. A plow is probably a lot cheaper. Thanks!

wedge40 · Aug 2, 2009

YouTube - How To Plow a Garden - Two Bottom Plow

This should get you started.

Wedge

Farmwithjunk · Aug 2, 2009

You've got the tractor to handle 3X16" to as much as 4X14"'s in most soils I know of. IMHO, unless you want to spend MORE than the cost of a tiller on a new Kverneland plow, the best choices in older plows would be Ford, Massey Ferguson, or White (Oliver) Deere & IH made decent plows also. Look to spend AT LEAST $300 and as much as $750 for a good useable plow.

Opti-Mist · Aug 2, 2009

The Ford and Oliver were basically the same plow (at least at a point in time). It/they are still virtually bulletproof. The designer was an old fellow named Auld Gelt (old gold). His design method was to instruct a "mechanic/model maker" in constructing the pieces. Once they were made to his satisfaction an engineer drew up the drawings. Interestingly I heard this story from the model maker (my uncle), then retold it to an engineer some years later who said that he was that engineer. It was his first job after graduating with an engineering degree after WW II.

warhammer · Aug 2, 2009

What would a 45hp tractor pull? I have a Kioti DK45SE with HST and a 20 acre field......

Farmwithjunk said:
You've got the tractor to handle 3X16" to as much as 4X14"'s in most soils I know of. IMHO, unless you want to spend MORE than the cost of a tiller on a new Kverneland plow, the best choices in older plows would be Ford, Massey Ferguson, or White (Oliver) Deere & IH made decent plows also. Look to spend AT LEAST $300 and as much as $750 for a good useable plow.

flusher · Aug 3, 2009

HCJ said:
I am considering a good plow to cut up food plots before discing. I know nothing about them so please clue me in on what would be recommended to pull behind a 68 hp M6800, 4 WD, with loaded ag tires. Soil varies, but has some clay and rocks. My disc just doesn't cut well unless it is somewhat wet. I was thinking a plow used first would speed up discing. Do many of you use a plow before discing?

What brand, what size, and what would the cost be?

I also considered a rotatiller, but the cost of a good one is steep, and the rocks we have scare me, and I already have a good disc. A plow is probably a lot cheaper. Thanks!

Here's the JD 2-14 plow I use with my 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine, 45 hp pto). Bought it locally off craigslist for $200.

This one came with the two coulters and the rear wheel.

As FWJ says, you have the horses to pull twice as much plow as I have.

HCJ · Aug 3, 2009

Flusher, that's a nice looking plow! In my area, I rarely see any decent used implements, and the few dealers seem to carry only junk or light duty stuff. There is not even a new plow that I can find. I would love to find one for that price to try out. How does it work?

HCJtractor · Aug 3, 2009

Opti-Mist said:
The Ford and Oliver were basically the same plow (at least at a point in time). It/they are still virtually bulletproof. The designer was an old fellow named Auld Gelt (old gold). His design method was to instruct a "mechanic/model maker" in constructing the pieces. Once they were made to his satisfaction an engineer drew up the drawings. Interestingly I heard this story from the model maker (my uncle), then retold it to an engineer some years later who said that he was that engineer. It was his first job after graduating with an engineering degree after WW II.

I would love to find one of these! Never seen one in this area.

Farmwithjunk · Aug 3, 2009

If you're referring to the Oliver-bilt Ford plows, I'd bet you've seen more of 'em than you realize. Oliver (White) built the famous Ford model "101" mounted plow for Ford. Their plows were slightly different, but shared the same basic contour of the moldboards, ect. Frames were a considerable bit different though. Oliver built plows for Ford using Ford designs. By that point, Oliver's plow works was beginning to see slower sales of Oliver branded tillage equipment. Also, a few Ford plows were manufactured by "Pittsburg Plow".