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Plowing corn stalks

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Moe

10-17-2004 21:25:24

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I'd like to plow about 2 acres of corn stalks on my farm. The only plow that I have is an old 3pt, 3furrow. Its not a trip plow. Am I opening a can of heartache or what? Do you guys know of anything that I can do, so it won't fill with stalks? Someone told my I can tie wire on it somehow to keep the stalks going through?. Thanks Moe

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old don

10-18-2004 17:51:31

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Moe , 10-17-2004 21:25:24

I don't have much to add except whatever you do you need to do it during the dry part of the day while stalks are extremely dry because they break up much better including trying to plow during a hot dry period. You'll know when the sun is going down because you'll stop several times in the last round and believe you me you'll be ready to quit if you finish the last round. Been there done that.

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Kendall

10-18-2004 12:27:10

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Moe , 10-17-2004 21:25:24

If you bundle them up, 12-15 stalks in teepee style bunch, and take them to town, the city slickers will buy them for yard art for Holloween and Thanksgiving.

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James2

10-18-2004 10:41:36

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Moe , 10-17-2004 21:25:24

If you are only plowing two acres, what is the big concern? Disking the stalks would be best, but if you don't mind getting off the tractor a few times each round don't bother, JUST PLOW! If you had a trip plow, I would not be so bold. Remember to dump any plugged stalks in the open furrow. I've had to plow stalks behind a picker with a mounted, low clearance, 3 bottom, many years without any disking. However, it should be noted these were not BT stalks. This job will regardless teach some patience.

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Jet9N

10-18-2004 09:43:41

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Moe , 10-17-2004 21:25:24

We used to use a wire to plow corn stalks with
fairly good results. Tie it to the bar across
the front of the front of the plow centered on each furrow. As you plow you will be "plowing the
wire under". This will sweep the stalk down into
the furrow. Of course remember you need to plow
in the same direction that the picker went. Going
"against the grain" will still cause plugging up.

HTH

Jet

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Moe

10-18-2004 05:10:39

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Moe , 10-17-2004 21:25:24

Thanks guys, I was trying to avoid the disking. and yes my plow, is not a high clearance plow. Moe

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VADAVE

10-18-2004 04:41:37

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Moe , 10-17-2004 21:25:24

Everyone has suggested discing and that will work if you hit it twice in different directions. The reason is some of the stalks will just be knocked down and pass through the disc. second pass in a different direction will cut them. Bushhogging will break up the stalks also, particularly if they are standing up. If they are already down bushhog won't touch them.
If you have access to a stalk chopper that is the cat's meow. Looks like a flail mower and will chop all the stalks into small pieces.

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Slorll

10-18-2004 03:53:48

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Moe , 10-17-2004 21:25:24

I sometimes used an offset disk first. That really cut up the stalks well. Actually, when we still had cattle we would allow them to chew on things for awhile.

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Indydirtfarmer

10-18-2004 03:12:16

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Moe , 10-17-2004 21:25:24

By "heavy corn stalks" I'm guessing you're plowing behind a picker, or a hand picked field, as opposed to a COMBINED field. Most combines have a stalk chopper and/or spreader on the back. That leaves finer, smaller residue to turn under.

Also, you mentioned your plow is an older "rigid beam" type. That would indicate to me that it isn't a "high clearance plow", like most of the moldboard plows manufactured from 1960 on.

You failed to mention if the plow has rolling coulters or not. They would help tremendously.

"Plan B" Disk like Allan said..... You can also shread the stalks with a bush hog. (Disking will do a better job in MOST cases)

The "weed wire" you're talking about would just collect MORE stalks in my opinion. You need to make the residue smaller, so that it will pass through the throat of the plow.

DISK! John

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Paul in Mich

10-18-2004 19:30:59

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 10-18-2004 03:12:16

Indy, In addition to having rolling coulters, have the sirrated type, and also try to plow when the stalks are dry. Wet soggy stalks will clog more than dry stalks. A trip across the field with a brush hog will also chop whatever didn"t go through the combine. An alternative would also be to disk lightly, (3" depth max.) off kilter, then plow.

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Allan in NE

10-18-2004 03:17:42

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 10-18-2004 03:12:16

Mornin' John!

I forgot to mention the cover boards on the plow, too.

Allan

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Indydirtfarmer

10-18-2004 03:43:57

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Allan in NE, 10-18-2004 03:17:42

Mornin' Allan! Thought about the same thing...Great minds think alike!

Gettin' stormy here this A.M. Guess I'll just crawl up inside the truck and take a nap.....John

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Allan in NE

10-18-2004 04:13:07

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 10-18-2004 03:43:57

Yep, she's a comin'.

Been toying with the idea of puttin' the chains on the loader tractor and maybe even checking some anti-freeze.

UGH! I hate winter with a passion and it's gettin' worse every year.

Allan

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Indydirtfarmer

10-18-2004 04:22:21

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Allan in NE, 10-18-2004 04:13:07

We don't get heavy snows but every few years. Most of what we have to contend with is ice. Since we bought the home 5 minutes from work, things are much easier to deal with. Plus, in the "snow season" we're kinda slow around here, so I just roll over and go back to sleep if it's too bad out.

Gettin' soft in my old age.....

I remember when I used to LOVE HOT weather. The hotter the better. Now I don't feel quite the same. I NEVER liked cold weather. (Growing up on a dairy farm'll do that to you) Now I just look forward to spring and fall.

Gettin' soft in my old age.....John

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Allan in NE

10-18-2004 02:44:56

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Moe , 10-17-2004 21:25:24

Hi Moe,

Any heavy trash cover has just about got to be disced first if you want to do a good job of plowing.

I can't even imagine trying to plow under heavy stalks without first knockin' 'em down by hitting 'em twice in two different angles with a disc. Then, go hitch to the plow.

Just the way I do it anyway,

Allan

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Roy in UK

10-18-2004 03:45:54

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Allan in NE, 10-18-2004 02:44:56

Yes I would suggest beating them into submission with discs first. should not take long if there is only about 2 acres.

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Allan in NE

10-18-2004 04:07:06

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Roy in UK, 10-18-2004 03:45:54

Hi Roy,

"Beating them into submission" Hey, that's a nice turn of a phrase! :>)

You're right, with two acres, it will probably take longer to hitch up than do the job.

Allan

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steveormary

10-18-2004 09:27:23

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Re: Plowing corn stalks in reply to Allan in NE, 10-18-2004 04:07:06

Moe,

Mabe try plowing in the afternoon when stalks would be dryer. Otherwise you would have to break them up somehow.

steveormary

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