Little Genius keeps plugging up - need help

Flat47

Member
Plowing up a new spot this year. Ground hasn't been worked in 30 years, just mowed. Sod is 4" to 5" and our 2x12 Little Genius keeps plugging up with all that sod. So I hitched up an IH 3x14 trailer type plow that has more trash clearance - same issue. I've tried different depths. No change.

We're in northern Maine with stoney soil. Running an A-C D15 gas. Any input would be much appreciated.
 
Its it shined up yet? How deep are you trying to plow? my guess is you are plowing to deep,that's a pretty small plow.
 
do you have coulters and are they set correctly? if trash is still to heavy you can think of mowing or burning then plowing not sure if you are allowed to burn where you are but that works very well
 
(quoted from post at 05:29:39 05/02/13) Plowing up a new spot this year. Ground hasn't been worked in 30 years, just mowed. Sod is 4" to 5" and our 2x12 Little Genius keeps plugging up with all that sod. So I hitched up an IH 3x14 trailer type plow that has more trash clearance - same issue. I've tried different depths. No change.

We're in northern Maine with stoney soil. Running an A-C D15 gas. Any input would be much appreciated.

Plugging up with trash is a common problem for ALL of those older plows. There is a trick used by many of the old timers. It involves attaching a chain, or heavy wire to the plow in such a manner as to flatten down the grass, etc. immediately ahead of the plow bottom. I don't remember the full details of exactly where to attach the chain. Maybe someone else can shed some light on the subject?

Someone else mentioned burning off the field, and yes, that was also a common method used.
 
Do you have rolling coulters ? They will cut the sod rather then ripping it leaving it in chunks to catch on the plow beams. Then take some old truck leaf springs and bolt them to the mold board support on the back side to extend beyond the end about 8" to help flip the sod over.
 
If that field has not been plowed for 30 years, and you have sod 4-5" (I am guessing you mean green growth of this height) and using 12" or 14" moldboards you are asking a lot out of a plow that small.
1. Try plowing only 6-7 inches deep and see how that goes. You can plow deeper in future years. By plowing a little shallower, you will increase the clearance of the plow making it easier to allow soil and material to flow thru better.
2. Your moldboards in good shape? If rusty that will not help. They have to scour. You say you have stony soil...I hope you mean small stones and if you have sand in that soil then as you keep plowing that sandy soil will eventually shine up those moldboards nicely.
3. If points are broken off or worn back that will not help.
4.Are moldboards grooved deeply thru excess wear thru the years?
5. Does the plow have coulters? Do they turn freely? Coulters are often set too low...the hubs should ride above the soil at least 3 inches. You want the coulters to cut, not shove material before them. If the plow does not have coulters for plowing sod then you will have a difficult time with soil flow.
5. Are coulters sharp? They should be set about 3/4 inches to the left of the moldboards (standing behind plow looking to tractor with plow in the ground, then you know which way left is).
6. Your plow speed should be no faster than walking speed under those conditions....driving too fast and trying to "ram" the soil and green growth thru the plow will definitely not work. Those old plows have slow speed moldboards, not like the higher speed moldboards of more modern plows.
7. Be patient, take your time. Old plows often need setting and resetting (wrenching) several times before they work properly.
8. When you have it set correctly, it will be fun to use that plow.
I have a Little Genius plow and I love plowing with it...except in corn stalks where I often try out new cuss words.
LA in WI
 
Rusty,
I like using #9 wire better than any chain as wire has a smoother surface. I cut a 10 ft piece, tie one end to the coulter arm and let the rest of it flow past the moldboard. It is amazing how much better job of covering trash is done with using wires. After a lot of use you will often discover your wire has disappeared so you get to cut another one. (I never have found that first wire...it stays buried forever!).
LA in WI
 
(quoted from post at 09:09:12 05/02/13) Rusty,
I like using #9 wire better than any chain as wire has a smoother surface. I cut a 10 ft piece, tie one end to the coulter arm and let the rest of it flow past the moldboard. It is amazing how much better job of covering trash is done with using wires. After a lot of use you will often discover your wire has disappeared so you get to cut another one. (I never have found that first wire...it stays buried forever!).
LA in WI

Thank you. That is one of those tricks I've never had to use myself, but thought I had filed it away in my mind just in case I might need it someday.

There is also the trick of using plow jointers to get better coverage, but I don't think the jointers would help very much in heavy trash.
 
Rusty,
I have plow jointers for my #8 plow, and the best use for them is for "show & tell" at a farm show. They look nice but are pretty much worthless in the field, especially when trying to plow in cornstalks. I put them on for a farm machinery show and take them off when I plow!
LA in WI
 
Wow, thanks for all of the help!

Coultors were the culprit. I readjusted them out like suggested and forward. Things are going much better now.
 
(quoted from post at 15:36:35 05/02/13) Rusty,
I have plow jointers for my #8 plow, and the best use for them is for "show & tell" at a farm show. They look nice but are pretty much worthless in the field, especially when trying to plow in cornstalks. I put them on for a farm machinery show and take them off when I plow!
LA in WI

I have just one jointer. It was on a junk, parts plow I bought at an auction. I probably should let my wife have it and let it be turned into some sort of "yard art".
 

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