4 Bottom Little Genius

Hi All. I was out comparing the hitches on two of my plows and was wondering if my 14" 4 bottom was in fact a Little Genius or what? It looks like one with a few very minor differences. One- the hitch is longer by about 4". It's a dual spring setup so maybe that's the reason for that. Yet the springs are the same length on all three of the plows I have. Two- the rear wheel box doesn't have a spot for the scraper attachment and looks totally different. Which probably means nothing other than it was built as a rubber tired machine. Three- The axles are substantially larger in diameter on the four bottom. Is it a Little Genius or what? Any opinions on this? I've always thought it was till now. My O M and parts books are only for two and three bottom plows so they don't help me. Thanks! ...Randy

Could be a #8L, #10, #15, #16, or any other model that was for the larger plows. I believe a #8L is a full frame three bottom and a 4th bottom could be bolted on. A #15 looks real similar to a #8, but I think the beams were taller for more trash clearance and it had sealed roller wheel bearings. #10 and #16 were the bigger plows and had many differences from a #8. Maybe compare the first and second beam numbers to your #8. There were tons of different hitches available, so that doesn't mean much. I don't know, I guess a picture or more clues would help.

Hi Ploughman. It's built as a full frame three bottom with the add on fourth. The second beam number is different from my other two plows-PO 12810A. I assumed that since it was a straight hydraulic lift that everything was different. I should have known better. DUH!! I finally looked in my old parts book ( 11-15-37 ) and found the second beam number, only without the suffix "A", which makes it the center beam for a full frame three bottom. The two other three bottoms second beam number is PO 12572 which is the right number for a two bottom according to my parts books. I haven't had the wheel boxes apart on this plow yet so no clues there. There's really not much difference between the two externally other than those that I've mentioned. So I guess it is what I bought it as - a #8 . That's fine with me. Now I just need to find some Super Chief frogs or complete bottoms for it because the Chief points won't last long as far as I can see. And since I can't get them sharpened yet I don't want to wear them completely out. I'm still going to use it this fall if possible though to get a land polish on it. I'll probably pull it with my 1755 Oliver because I don't think that even if I get the tire fixed on the Farmall M that it will pull four 14'S . Thanks! ...Randy

Glad you got that figured out. I think if it had roller wheel bearings, the hubs would look similar to the front hub of a RWD car, and look nothing like typical #8 hubs. Now, I don't claim to be an expert, I am just going by the few pieces of advertising literature I have.
The Plow Chief vs. Super Chief battle has been fought many times, but I have never thought of mentioning this: it is very easy to adapt throw-away lays to plow chief bottoms. I have been told you need to drill out two holes and drill one new hole, and add a piece for support under the point side if you feel like it, and thats it. No more complaining about $40 shares and $90 points. I haven't done it myself, or used a plow with it done, but I can't imagine it wouldn't work. But, if you find some Super Chief X-series bottoms, I wouldn't think twice about using them instead of plow chiefs.

Hi Ploughman. I was out looking the plow over again for anything different when it dawned on me the all the nuts holding it together were hex nuts except for the ones holding the leveling lever on. All the bolts on the other hand are square head bolts or carriage bolts. So that makes it a newer model anyway. I don't know when hex type fasteners became widely used. Anyway , probably not important. Thanks again. ...Randy