IHC plows

It wasn't farmers that ended Ace or Scotch bottoms, but rather those North American corperate boneheads that decided we could use the same plow continent wide for all conditions. What did it gain them? Eastern Canada became dotted with Europens plows, equiped with bottoms having many of the features and design of Ace or Scotch bottoms.

There's just something about those Masseys. Pull about 30% easier than the IHs.

Allan

There's just something about those Masseys. Pull about 30% easier than the IHs.

Allan

JB2

I went from my old IH trailer plows to a new 510 semi-mount 5x16 with super chief bottoms. Pulled that a few times with 1066, but could clearly see hired help would soon make mincemeat of that plow, in those ocasional stones. Yes, it had trip beams, and they tripped but that did not eliminate breakage. I fixed those young lads, put the 5x16 plow behind the 656 and said, "Now boys that will cure the fast plowmen." Plowed for years with that setup, neighbor up the road was pulling 5x16 trailer with a Cockshutt 570 diesel.

High speed bottoms are little more than an expensive way to plow. If you fully load the tractor with bottoms at 3 mph, the cost of wear parts per acre will be 50% less than a tractor pulling less bottoms at 5mph.

The 60 hp tractor at 3mph pulling 5x16 plow also actually plows as much ground per hour as the same tractor at 4mph pulling 4x14 bottoms. If you get into better going and increase each by 1 mph, they will still plow about the same acres per hour.

Could you guys post pictures of the differnt bottoms you are talking about?

Maybe we couldfind each other at the tractor show this June in Ohio..

Don SW Ohio

JB2

Here is a set of LITTLE WONDER plows...They have the ace bottoms on them...

Thanks Hugh.

I'm originally from the Maritimes and up until 1962 all we ever saw were Ace bottom plows. IH, Massey and Cockshutt at least, each had their own version of Ace bottoms. I watch old plows quite closely, and notice here in SW ON, Ace bottoms are here but are probably only represent about 50% of old plows. The further east you go the higher the percentage of Ace bottom plows. I don't think they were ever marketed in the US, other than maybe New England. That is precisely why you got the responce you did from Allan and Sammy.

The other item I should draw to your attention, and I'll use the No.8 plow for example. In the US it was called Little Genius No.8, it had diagnol cross members between the plow beams, it had one piece adjusting levers, and almost 100% IH general purpose bottoms. Here in Canada the plow built at Hamilton, was called the No.8 Tractor Plow only, (no reference to Little Genius in the manuals) it had perpendicular cross members between the plow beams, the adjusting levers were hinged in middle with 3 notches allowing one to change from a Farmall to a W series tractor and almost change the levers within operators reach, on the go. Those adjusting levers on Hamilton built plows had a reduction cog, in the actual depth settings, thus allowing closer settings. The Canadian plows could also be equiped with either Ace or IH General Purpose bottoms. You guessed it, all this fine tuning was driven by the IPM match plowing.

The prependicular cross members also allowed one to change the width of cut, but usually only 2" without changing the plow bottom. The farme was adjustable from 10" to 16". Three different width bottoms were used. The smallest could be set 10", 11" or 12"; medium could be set 12" or 14" and the large one 14" or 16". Basically this design allowed a dealer to build a plow on site in his yard, to suit the customers needs.

There are a few items about these plows yet unanswered, your being rather generous in your accessment of us. I find your comparison of the Ace bottom and your John Deere Scotch bottom rather interesting. Over the years I have been quite familiar with IH, Massey and Cockshutt plows, however have never been around John Deere plows very much. It would be very reasonable to believe Deere was in the pack for that Eastern Canadian market. I would expect Ford and Ferguson probably had it as well.

I'd like to explore that comparison between Ace and Deere Scotch bottoms a bit more. As MJ said, he and I had a rather good discussion about the history of these plows some months back. At that time I was giving the Europeans credit for Ace bottoms, while MJ pointed out to me, it was IH who manufactured these plows at Hamilton and introduced it to them in England. That in itself is rather unusual, when a 5th generation Canadian Scot and an Englishman calling Great Britain home try to give each other credit for the same idea or invention. Virtually unheard of in farming circles anyhow. That long, narrow curve is what made these plows so great in stony ground. They would slide by a stone very easily without catching. That is definately something any good Scotsman learned to tolerate.

We definately don't know it all Bill, I for one would like to know more about the history and background of these plow bottoms. I don't think it was a case of IH, Massey and Cockshutt buying these bottoms from an outside supplier called Ace. My neighbor down the road tells me his Massey and my IH, Ace moldboards will not interchange. It would then be reasonable to believe Ace held the patent and collected royalties from several foundries. I'm willing to bet there are oldtimers that have followed the IPM through the years, who probably know this bit of history.

I don't know much about trailing plows, but from the old tumble plows forward, they have all been painted with red frames, blue moldboards, blue coulter shanks and cream colored wheels.

Haven't ever heard of an Ace bottom but on an Ace plow. Different breed entirely.

Allan

Now I will admit this winter is starting get under my skin as well. We had one of those damn northwest winds blowing in here today, enough to dampen any man's spirits. Yes that damn wind was coming right out of northern MI, WI and MN. Now, I'm not going to be harsh on those guys as they picked it up from the Canadian prairies. But what a nice day it was here yesterday, I went out and bough a new set of tires and rims for one of my tractors. Today was a fireside day, and you guessed it the tires and rims are just inside the shop door, and not on the tractor as was yesterday's plan for today.

The return of winter sure puts a downer on me that's for sure, but it is a good news, bad news situation.

The good news is that moisture, in any form, is nothing less than money falling from the sky 'round these parts.

Bad news is that when the weather does break, it is then a mad scramble to get everything done on time.

Allan

Maybe called something differant in some parts of the country ?