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plowing question

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tjh72

04-06-2007 15:14:40

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How much horsepower does it take to pull a 3 bottom plow?

Thanks,
tjh72

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HAPPY DEERE

04-08-2007 10:34:18

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

just get you a good old john deere a preferably a early 50's model as there cheap and have plenty of power to do 3x14

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Paul from MI

04-07-2007 12:30:41

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

I pull 3-16 trailer plow with my JD D(pretty much stock, but very good cond.) without a problem @3-1/2 mph. My ground varies a little, but is mostly clay loam. Probably 12 hp per bottom is enough, I pull 2-14s with a my 1944 JD B, which is about 22hp. Very important how you have the hitch and draft adjusted, especially on trailer plows. You can make them pull really hard if the draft isn"t adjusted so they run straight and don"t pull off center. The old JD "Care & Repair of Farm Machinery" books had a lot of good info on this.
Paul

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Rick Kr

04-06-2007 18:25:51

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

In Michigan clay, my 2-16 can be a struggle if I am running it deep (coulters off). At 8 inches I can fly with 47hp.

I am running 105HP with a JD 4-16.

I think th 15HP per bottom is a good rule, but in my soil (err I mean clay), It takes more around 20HP per bottom.

Rick

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Mike Van

04-06-2007 16:14:32

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

My 574 IH [about 52 hp] pulled 3 16" bottom MF plow quite well here in New England.

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Ohio Mike

04-06-2007 16:12:49

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

I have always figured this way and has always worked for me. Pulling 14's take 15 HP per bottom and 16's take 20 HP per bottom. That covers just about any type soil Iv'e plowed here in Ohio.

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Ron in OH

04-06-2007 17:18:15

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Re: plowing question in reply to Ohio Mike, 04-06-2007 16:12:49

Mike I think you have the right formula for most applications. It works pretty well.

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The Dukester

04-06-2007 16:09:14

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

My '48 John Deere GW pulls 3-14's plowing all kinds of soil at 8-9 inches depth just fine. This tractor weighs 6300 lbs with me on it, has 14.9-38 Firestones on the rear wheels and is pretty much stock but in real good shape. This tractor was rated a full 3 plow tractor with a little over 34 drawbar and 39 belt horsepower in the Nebraska Tests in 1947. Our Farmall M pulls 3-14's too but doesn't have quite the reserve pulling power the GW has, it has 13.6-38 Titans and weighs about 5800. M's were rated about the same a JD G's. Our '47 MM UTU pulls 3-14's real easily too as does my "warmed up" John Deere '51 G. I know there are some soils in some areas where regular 3 plow tractors struggle with 3 bottoms....there also areas where good 3 plow tractors can pull 4 bottoms okay....concrete plows harder than sugar.

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Wisconsin Cowman

04-06-2007 15:34:43

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

A Farmall M was rated at 3-14 not 4-14.

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james braley

04-06-2007 15:31:47

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

the farmall m (34.8 drw bar) was post to be able to 4 14".

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Donnie Baker

04-06-2007 15:23:17

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

Hey man 45-50 HP if you are using 14" bottoms in most conditions if you have really tough clay or river bottom ground you are going to need to drop a gear or two or have another 20 HP or drop a bottom, I gotta go

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Wisconsin Cowman

04-06-2007 15:22:26

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

It all depends on the soil type and the size of the bottom. My Oliver 1655 gas is about a 65 hoarse power and I use a White semi mount 3-16 plow and it is all it wants.

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John S-B

04-06-2007 18:17:11

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Re: plowing question in reply to Wisconsin Cowman, 04-06-2007 15:22:26

Hey Cowman, maybe you should keep that Ollie out of the cold so it won't be so "hoarse"!

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NothinbutaCAT!!

04-06-2007 15:16:12

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Re: plowing question in reply to tjh72, 04-06-2007 15:14:40

well that really depends on what soil type you plan on plowing.... but i would say it would take atleast a 60 horse tractor to pull 3 bottoms

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RAW in IA

04-06-2007 17:11:40

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Re: plowing question in reply to NothinbutaCAT!!, 04-06-2007 15:16:12

Must be some tough ground to need 60 hp for 3-16 plow. We pulled 3-16 with a 350, and the M easily pulled it.

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Don-Wi

04-06-2007 17:25:39

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Re: plowing question in reply to RAW in IA, 04-06-2007 17:11:40

Just come on up to NE Wisconsin, just above Lake Winnebago! We need about 80 HP to pull a 3-16, and 105 to pull 4-16's.

That's all any of our tractors (Oliver 1855-4-16's, 1755 and Massey 285 3-16's)want in 2nd and third gear. No way do I ever want to have to drop down to 1st to pull a plow. That gear is for heavy PTO work, not tillage. Even 2nd isn't very fun for plowing, but it has to be done sometimes. Grandpa did it with the Oliver 1600 and 3-16's but it was painfully slow.

Donovan from Wisconsin

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OliverGuy

04-07-2007 04:27:55

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Re: plowing question in reply to Don-Wi, 04-06-2007 17:25:39

I think Ohio Mike hit it, 15-20 hp per bottom depending on soil. I"ve done 5-14"s with my gasser 1850 like it was nothing, 3-14"s with my M and SM and 2-14"s with my H. Sounds about right to me. Check local listings on soil - heavy clay makes a BIG difference.

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steveormary

04-07-2007 11:08:30

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Re: plowing question in reply to OliverGuy, 04-07-2007 04:27:55

Pulled 2-14 3ph with our Fords and Fergusons. Pulled 3-14 trailer plow with SM Farmall. Pulled 4-16 semi-mount fast hitch with the 706 ger. diesel.

2nd gear with the Fords and Fergusons. 2nd or 3rd with the SM and 4 and low with the TA up on the 706. Have fun but be carefull. steveormary

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