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How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow?

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Mike

04-02-2003 04:47:58




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Thinking of a tractor upgrade. I like the Fer. to-30 a lot but don't know if it will handle a three bottom. What's the min. hp to pull the three btm. and not over work the tractor?




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Leroy

04-05-2003 11:18:54




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 Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Mike, 04-02-2003 04:47:58  
For all practical purposes that Ferguson TO 30 is a two plow tractor, about 29 PTO HP, my uncle had 3-14" back of his, claimed it handled it good, sold to a neighbor, put it on 801 series Ford, same ground, don't know how my uncle did it, anouther family member had 3-12" for his, I had one, bought 2-14" for mine, didn't work verry good, ended up using 2-12" pull type J D No. 52 plows, no power to spare.

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Mike

04-05-2003 17:29:57




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 Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Leroy, 04-05-2003 11:18:54  
I need to get another tractor a little smaller just to mow and blade with. Maybe I'll just stick with my #44 J.D. 2-14's to plow with on my M-H 44. It pulls the 3rd gear no problem in clay mix soil. Neighbor pulls 3-pt M-F 3-14's with his Ford 800 no problem.
If the 44 had a lower pto and better hitching thats the only tractor I'd need. Thanks for all you comments, Mike



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G W Henrich

04-02-2003 09:44:08




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 Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Mike, 04-02-2003 04:47:58  
One thing that most people fail to mention is the type of soil that you may wish to plow. Is it light, sandy, clay, or gumbo? How deep do you want to plow? What is on the ground now that needs to be plowed under (corn stalks, soybean stubble, alfalfa hay, pasture, or just plain weeds)? How far down is the hard pan? Is this ground flat or hilly? How many acres do you plan to plow in what amount of time? A good solution is that you always want more horsepower than you will use, simply because it will be a lot easier on the tractors clutch, transmission and rear end gears.

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BillWV

04-02-2003 07:41:38




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 Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Mike, 04-02-2003 04:47:58  
As with the other comments, there are a lot of variables, but I saw one published rule of thumb of 1 HP for each inch of plow. So a 3 bottom with 12" plows would need 36 HP.
Bill



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JM

04-05-2003 03:57:17




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 Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to BillWV, 04-02-2003 07:41:38  
I agree with Bill.
I plow for "fun" with my MM UB and an Oliver 3x16.
The math works out to 48 hp., just all the MM has done on a dyno. It will plow in second gear in our red shale soil, but she works pretty hard.
JM



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JM

04-05-2003 03:53:22




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 Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to BillWV, 04-02-2003 07:41:38  
I agree with Bill.
I plow for "fun" with my MM UB and an Oliver 3x16.
The math works out to 48 hp., just all the MM has done on a dyno. It will plow in second gear in our red shale soil, but she works pretty hard.
JM



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Redneck in TN.

04-02-2003 06:50:36




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 Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Mike, 04-02-2003 04:47:58  
I've seen all kind of comments about this subject, but hp. is only one aspect of this situation. Soil type, and tractor weight also is determining factors. You can have hp. but not have it transfered to the ground becuase of the weight issue. Your soil type can be a problem also as to how deep you can turn, which in turn may not let you put the feild residue under where it belongs. Then you are looking at what size plows your trying to pull, 3-12s, 3-14s, 3-16s, or 3-18s. I know that this hasn't given you a straight out answer to your question but your best bet is to talk to local farmers in your area. They will know your soil conditions and know what would suit your needs.

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thurlow

04-02-2003 06:40:56




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 Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Mike, 04-02-2003 04:47:58  
Our first 3-point hitch tractor (1954, I think) was a used T0-30; before that had used H Farmalls. Came with 3-12s. Kinda marginal as 3 plow tractor, tho handled it pretty good under most conditions. Tractor was 4 speed, as I recall; working gear was 2nd. Really think you'd be happier with a 2 bottom..... ..



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Jonathan

04-02-2003 06:19:54




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 Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Mike, 04-02-2003 04:47:58  
I would like to add to this question.
What is the biggest plow a Super M-TA would handle?



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jal-SD

04-02-2003 09:51:33




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 Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Jonathan, 04-02-2003 06:19:54  
It'll depend a lot on your soil conditions. SMTA should pull a 3-16 (trailer) without much problem, in most all soils. In really heavy soils, go w/3-14's (6" less width). In lighter soils, 4-14 (mounted) would give you 8" more than a 3-16 but you would probably have to pull it in 2nd. (My $0.02 worth. jal-SD)



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Barry in CO

04-02-2003 13:34:43




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 Re: Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to jal-SD, 04-02-2003 09:51:33  
Everyone has given you alot of different answer's, here in colorado, (north of Denver), you need at least 60 to 70 hp to pull 3-16's, the soil here pulls very hard. I'm originally from Southern Minnesota where my Grandfather pulled 3-16's with a Super M, 2-16's with a H and B John Deere. Like alot of other comments, it depends on the soil and what was in the ground previously.



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Rich in PA

04-02-2003 17:45:23




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Barry in CO, 04-02-2003 13:34:43  
I'll give you a simple answer.
45 HP is enough to pull 3-16 in any soil conditions



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Andrew from KY

04-02-2003 18:51:23




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Rich in PA, 04-02-2003 17:45:23  
In my neck of the woods we have a lot of clay in the soil and a 45 horse tractor wouldn't handle a set of 3-16's very well. We use an Allis 6080 on the 3-16's, which is more than enough for that. I would say that around here about sixty horse would be plenty for a set of three bottom plows.



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Andrew from KY

04-02-2003 18:50:31




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Rich in PA, 04-02-2003 17:45:23  
In my neck of the woods we have a lot of clay in the soil and a 45 horse tractor wouldn't handle a set of 3-16's very well. We use an Allis 6080 on the 3-16's, which is more than enough for that. I would say that around here about sixty horse would be plenty for a set of three bottom plows.



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James

04-02-2003 17:54:36




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Rich in PA, 04-02-2003 17:45:23  
I agree, 45 hp. is enough. However, not all 45 hp tractors are heavy enough to maintain the traction needed for 3 bottoms.



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Rich in PA

04-03-2003 01:31:35




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to James, 04-02-2003 17:54:36  
Very true right now I am pulling 4-16 with a 730D. Which is 58 HP in gumbo and clay and have no trouble. my neighbor has an IH 806 and has trouble pulling same plow.



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630

04-05-2003 18:42:46




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Rich in PA, 04-03-2003 01:31:35  
based on previous post,working in clay-loam would 3/14 or 3/16s be best choice for 630.



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630

04-05-2003 18:40:02




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How Many H.P. For Three Bottom Plow? in reply to Rich in PA, 04-03-2003 01:31:35  
based on previous post,working in clay-loam would 3/14 or 3/16s be best choice for 630.



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