correct plow for Farmall M

DJL · Jul 26, 2011

Planing on planting a large garden next year, and working on getting the Farmall M up and running. Was wondering what was the most used moldboard plow for behind an M back in the day?

Was the M considered a 3 or 4 bottom plow tractor? This tractor has M&W live hydraulics so would prefer a hyd lift plow instead of a trip plow. What's my best option?

Thanks
DJL

oldtanker · Jul 26, 2011

They were rated at 3-14 for a plow.

Rick

CenTex Farmall · Jul 26, 2011

"Little Genius" #8, on rubber or steel. Could be had with trip lift or hydraulic cylinder.

Number and size of bottoms would depend on soil type. A strong M with thin sleeves could do 4 bottoms in sandier soil. Generally though 3 is right for a typical M.

I'm on black clay and a well worn M that I have has all it wants with 3 12" bottoms!

DeltaRed · Jul 26, 2011

here in the irrigated areas,most every M had a #39 twoway plow (2x16) behind it.

IH fan · Jul 27, 2011

"Back in the day" where I grew up in NE Iowa, Ms pulled either 2x16" or 3x14" plows... same as JD As or Allis WDs. Those 3 were the most popular for their size in our neck of the woods.

Allan in NE · Jul 27, 2011

A M can "usually" handle a two-bottom okay.

Get in some heavy alfalfa ground and it'll pull 'er to her knees.

Allan

Anonymous-0 · Jul 27, 2011

Here in central Minnesota we used a 3-16 with a strong Super M and she would have to work hard on the hills, otherwise was fine on the flats. I have used a 2-14 behind an M and it was easy for the tractor. It is also a tad handier with a smaller plow for gardens I have found.

oldtanker · Jul 27, 2011

Really hate to say this on an IH board but my Ford N with 2-14 3 point plow is the perfect size for garden and deer plots. Nimble too!

Plus with the 3 point i use a 5 ' brush hog and 5' finish mower with it. 2 row corn planter and cultivator. Also have a sub soiler, post auger, 3 PH sprayer, 3PH blade and digger. My 1206 gets about 60 hours a year (disk, snow blower, haybine and baler and bale feeder), the M about 15 but the Ford gets well over 100! That will change year after next and the 1206 will get used a bit more, when I start farming 67 acres of tillable land. I know the 1206 is a bit over kill but my baler requires 70 HP and the 1206 was real cheap HP.

Rick

ejr-IA. · Jul 27, 2011

We always pulled a JD 3-14

El Toro · Jul 27, 2011

I would get the trip plow since its easy to hookup and unhook from the tractor if your disk harrow is the pull type. Hal

mkirsch · Jul 27, 2011

3-14 was typical for an M "back in the day."

I may sound like a broken record to some, but I like to bring this point up every time someone asks how big a plow a tractor can handle:

Do you REALLY need maximum output from the tractor? If you have that many acres that need to be tilled in a short period of time, that you need to run the tractor at maximum output, you really need a bigger machine.

Remember these machines are old, and just like anything that ages, it ain't as strong or as robust as it was in its youth. Stressing the drivetrain is just asking for an expensive repair.

If you have a lot of acreage to cover quickly and you want to pull 3 bottoms, get something in the 65-75HP range. A tractor that size will pull that plow all day long in any ground without breaking a sweat, or a bearing.

If you've got a good stout M you're confident in, and/or you just don't care if something breaks, then go for the 3-14 or 3-16 plow. Bragging rights do have some value.

If you're just hobby farming it, get a 2-bottom plow and take it easy on your poor old tractor. It'll thank you.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 27, 2011

We used 2-16's and plowed in third gear. With the 2-16's we could plow hills and clay spots without down shifting.I helped a neighbor and we used 3-16's with Super MTA.

CGtractor · Jul 27, 2011

The plow has to match the tractor? Now I gotta start buying plows! Seriously, I have a 2-14 pull type IH plow of unknown model and it works behind my Super C H and M. If you"re only plowing for fun who cares!

Tom Fleming · Jul 28, 2011

Little Genious #8, trip plow. 2-14's or 2-16's. you didn't say how big the garden will be. When I was planting one, my garden was 1 acre. I used a Cub to plow, disk, plant, cultivate and dig potatoes. I found it to be great for the 1 acre lot. changing implements was a pita, but otherwise was perfect size.

From your post, sounds like you are doing this for you and not to make money. Find a little genious 2 bottom, and have at it.

The Dukester · Jul 31, 2011

In Farmalls the Super C with a mounted 2-14 or a 300 Utility with a fasthitch 2-16 is about the ideal thing for plowing gardens....or any of the Ford-Fergusons with their companion 2 bottom plows.
Most M's were sold with No. 8 Little Genius 3-14's around here unless the buyer had heavy clay ground then 2-16's was the better choice. Most A John Deeres and WD Allis' tried only 2-16's. WD-45's, 60's and G (gassified) John Deeres pulled 3-14's or 3-16's. Massey 44's and Oliver 88's handled 3 bottoms okay too. Most 400's and 450's along with JD 70's and 720-730's pulled 4 bottoms too. Sure a 4 plow tractor burns 5 gallons of gas an hour working...what do you expect? Besides pulling a big implement you're moving a heavy tractor over the ground too you know.

correct plow for Farmall M

DJL

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oldtanker

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CenTex Farmall

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DeltaRed

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IH fan

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Allan in NE

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Anonymous-0

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oldtanker

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ejr-IA.

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El Toro

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mkirsch

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Anonymous-0

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CGtractor

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Tom Fleming

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The Dukester

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