What size plow

[oldnslo]

So I've a few questions on plows -
Is the only downside to using a 1 bottom plow on the bigger tractor the time it takes to do the job?
How important are coulters?
What about gauge wheels?

What are the wheel spacings on your tractors. If they are significantly different the plows may not work to well.

Coulters are nice in trashy conditions or sod. They help reduce plugging from trash and help keep the forrow straighter in Sod.

Gauge wheels are almost a must if you don't have draft control.

 

[OrangeToys]

The problem I have finding a plow around here is that none have the culters or gauge wheels

 

[ovrszd]

I'm pulling 3 16" and at 8" depth with my Mahindra 5530 4wd Turbo, AG1 tires, no ballast. The plow is a Ford/Dearborn 10-209 with coulters.
Paid $495 from a dealer.
View attachment 301246
idaho2

Now that my friends, is a great plow!!! What'd hafta give for that jewel???

 

[idaho2]

Now that my friends, is a great plow!!! What'd hafta give for that jewel???

Paid $495 from a dealer. This spring I'll have pics in action. Plowed about 3 acres last year and everything shinned up nicely. Right now it's uncovered and I greased up everything that was shiney for the winter. I agree that I found a jewel.:thumbsup: For the OP do you have a float control on your Massey? I think he'll be able to pull 3x12 or 2x16 easily. If he can find a 3 bottom that he can unbolt the last unit, he should seriously consider that as an option. Can always put it back on if and when needed for a larger hp tractor in the future.

Idaho2

 

[allen in texas]

If he can find a 3 bottom that he can unbolt the last unit, he should seriously consider that as an option. Can always put it back on if and when needed for a larger hp tractor in the future.

Idaho2

One of the better pieces of advice so far.

 

[ovrszd]

Paid $495 from a dealer. This spring I'll have pics in action. Plowed about 3 acres last year and everything shinned up nicely. Right now it's uncovered and I greased up everything that was shiney for the winter. I agree that I found a jewel.:thumbsup: For the OP do you have a float control on your Massey? I think he'll be able to pull 3x12 or 2x16 easily. If he can find a 3 bottom that he can unbolt the last unit, he should seriously consider that as an option. Can always put it back on if and when needed for a larger hp tractor in the future.

Idaho2

As a kid I learned on a 2 bottom behind an 8N. But soon graduated to your type plow behind and 861 Ford. I thought I was in heaven. So much faster than the ole 8N and 2 bottom. Thanks for sharing the picture, brings back lots of memories!!!

 

[idaho2]

I started on a 2n with the 2x14. That was 53yrs ago! Of all the dairy farm work, plowing was and still is my favorite farm job. Looked forward to it every fall..:thumbsup: I need to ask my brother, who has the farm now, what his favorite is.

idaho2

 

[nspec]

You want to talk heaven..... My family plowed with a Deere 4020 powershift with a turbo and a 4 bottom Kverneland. So sweet. What I wouldn't give for that today!!

 

[ovrszd]

You want to talk heaven..... My family plowed with a Deere 4020 powershift with a turbo and a 4 bottom Kverneland. So sweet. What I wouldn't give for that today!!

Our neighbor was, and the next generation still is, a big farmer. He had the first 4020 I ever saw. I still distinctly remember hearing him doing field work. He had a fender mounted radio!!!!! You could hear that radio clear as a bell a mile away!!! I was sooooooo jealous!!! But then,,, that's why none of us can hear today.... :laughing:

 

[SanDucerro]

Not to stray too far off track, but...

I'm running a single bottom plow on my L3130 HST with 31 HP. It does fine in the sandy loam we have in most of the pasture, but there are areas it rises to the surface and just scratches the ground. The plow is very light - I'd estimate 100 lbs or so as I can literally pick it up myself. Is the weight of the plow a factor in the areas it skips to the surface? Would a heavier plow stay "grounded"?

 

[idaho2]

If your plow hits clay hard pan there is no plow that will penetrate that stuff, blue or any other color. Also, if your plow share tips are worn down and/or the top link (3pt) is not set correctly to level the plow when soil engaged it won't take much to pop the plow out of the preset depth. It also could be from moving the draft control in the raised position accidentally from the float position. It could be from the 3pt links not properly set to keep the shares tips pointed down into the soil if not severly worn. Lots of things go into setting and maintaining a plow. Hope this helps.

idaho2

 

[Verticaltrx]

Wealth of timely info in this thread.
I've the two tractors in my sig, a Kubota B7610 (24HP)and a Kubota M4700 (51HP) both 4WD, and I'm planning on separating them by about 800 to 1,000 miles, but still share implements among them. I think it will be a lot more energy efficient (cheaper) to carry a plow, harrow and pallet forks in the back of my truck vs dragging my trailer all the time. Primary usage will be small vegetable gardens and deer plots, no plans to do acres and acres. I figure with the B7610 I'll have to plow shallow once, then plow a second time deeper.

So I've a few questions on plows -
Is the only downside to using a 1 bottom plow on the bigger tractor the time it takes to do the job?
How important are coulters?
What about gauge wheels?

I don't think you are going to find a plow that will work properly on both tractors. I have a 2x14 bottom plow that I use on my Ford NAA and 5203 Deere, and it barely clears the ground on the B3200 in the fully raised position. The B3200 is just way to small and the 3pt geometry isn't right for it. For a compact B-series you need something like a small 1 bottom 12" plow with a compact frame. Likewise, this wouldn't fit the geometry of your M-series, plow would be too narrow and you couldn't get your tire in the furrow.

 

[wolftree]

I have not seen anyone ask the original poster just how much ground does he intend to plow, a 50x100 garden, 50 acres. If only a small garden, then most any 1 or 2 bottom plow that he can find that is in good shape will do him nicely. Whether it is a 1x12 inch or 2x16 inches or anything inbetween.

 

[schmism]

Remember most bottom plows are designed to plow a depth half there width. so a 14" is 7" deep a 16" is 8" deep.

this is important when it comes to setting up the plow. Many times people will burry that 14" plow 10" or more deep and wonder why its not plowing worth a darn.

Also remember most bottoms want to be pulled at 3-4 mph. slower than this and the dirt doesnt turn (right) and faster than that you risk the ground flipping 360 and landing green side up again.

I always have to plug my plow vid in threads like this
Plowing the garden - YouTube

 

[Reyer Farms]

Remember most bottom plows are designed to plow a depth half there width. so a 14" is 7" deep a 16" is 8" deep.

this is important when it comes to setting up the plow. Many times people will burry that 14" plow 10" or more deep and wonder why its not plowing worth a darn.

Also remember most bottoms want to be pulled at 3-4 mph. slower than this and the dirt doesnt turn (right) and faster than that you risk the ground flipping 360 and landing green side up again.

I always have to plug my plow vid in threads like this
Plowing the garden - YouTube

I'm guilty of running too deep! I have buried my howse in August. Yeah I know not ideal, but it had to be done. Tractor did fine. That ground is now easy plowing.

 

[SSweet9c1]

OK I skipped a couple pages of reading to save time..
But I have a 2010 MX5100 with 14.9X26 R1's and it is a 2WD... I plow with a 2X14 IH rollover plow in Upstate NY, with medium soil, plenty of rocks and some hills (always turning the soil uphill) I have 2 sets of weights on the wheels, and loaded tires, I have to plow with the FEL on because I do not have weights.. It would probably be more efficient to remove the loader and add the exact weight necessary...
The MX5100 would easily pull a 2X16 in 2WD if weighted correctly and set correctly (in MY soil) If I were on flat land it would be even easier.
I know a farmer north of me that pulls a 3 bottom with her MX5100 4X4, but she has flatter nicer soil than I do that you can stick a soil penetrometer all the way in without any resistance in August..
Jonathan

 

[SSweet9c1]

*I meant I do not have FRONT weights..
Also I pull a 9' Oliver disc with my MX5100, but I have to take the loader OFF to go up hills... It is amazing what a difference a little weight makes in the right location...
This summer I will be plowing with my recently aquired M9540 and 4X16 IH rollover plow.. We'll see how it goes..
The general thumb rule around here is 25 HP/bottom.. But it depends on bottom size, FWA, and soil..
Jonathan

 

[Chilly807]

I pull a 2-12 MF plow with an L3400 in medium clay soil, so I don't see any problems with an MX5100 pulling a small 3 bottom or a large two bottom plow.

If it were me, I'd be looking for a 3-14 or something like that.

Coulters are a good idea for new ground, they cut the sod cleanly and allow it to flip better.

I'm a little too deep in this video, and I hadn't yet learned to turn left at the end of the row to finish flipping the sod. My plow has tail extensions to encourage the sod to flip fully.

Chilly plowing garden - YouTube



Sean