How to plow

Gerald

n Reply to: Turning Plow Setup posted by Tommy D. on February 24, 1999 at 10:03:03:

There are a few straighforward steps to setting a three point plow. Since the first pass across the field, the right wheels are not in a furrow, you need to adjust the right lift link and the top link so the plow bottoms are equal distance from the ground and the plow share tips just barely tipped down. Use the draft control to set the depth. Use the plow links to set the side to side level and tip a little foward to have some suction into the ground.

After the first furrow, with the right wheels in the furrow, reset the plow position on the unplowed ground just like you did initially.

The last time I tried plowing with an 8N it tended either to head for china when the Furguson system would lift the rear wheels and kill off traction or the plow would rise out of the ground. Never a consistent furrow depth. I found I could plow much better with a heavier plow and tractor with a case 2x16s on the back of my MF-135.

Gerald

What type of soil are you working in? Hard packed clay with sod & big root clumps, or soft loose sany soil? (I'll guess close to the first?) Wet or dry soil? It all makes a difference.

Is this a pull type plow or mounted on the tractor? A lot of pull type plows work in heavy soil better with a 75-100 lb rock on them...

Are there coulters (round cuttting disks) and are they big enough, & lined up right?

Are the plow lays (bottom cutting edge of the bottom, almost always a seperate piece that wears the most & is replaceable) in good condition? This is often the biggest problem.

Are the plow bottoms clean & shiny, or old & rusty & pitted or painted? it's real tough to get a rusty plow going, you'll need to fight a long time until it shines itself up. One round in sandy ground will do it, while a whole day in wet clay or peat probably still won't clean them up.

Then you need to get all the angles adjusted right, this is the part others can help you with. (I used to plow with a 2 & 3 bottom pull plow, now I have a bigger semi-mounted so I don't remember the details...)

The fisrt round is harder to set up anyhow, after that following in the furrow seems to line up easier.

--->Paul