Disc plow leaves ground rough- update and perseverance

Hi, All,

still no rain here in TN for a few weeks (I know for Californians thats a grotesque joke) so I went over the ground that the disc plow left looking awful. Here is the result. The left is as the disc plow left it, teh right is as it is now.

thanks for all the support and suggestions. I disced it about 1/4 cut at a time, just went back and forth and gradually got it all.
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Just wait till tomorrow you should be getting what I am right now. Been raining here on and off since very early this morning. Right at 32 degrees so some of it is turning to ice.
 
I hate to break the news to you but that is not a disc plow. That fellow is just a plain ole three point disc.

You need to go back over the ground until it is in the planting condition.

This is a disc plow.

disc_plow_disk_plough_1_209525-vi.jpg
 
When I was younger , I can remember various plots of ground that we did . We used a set of 2 bottom Moldboard plows but still if the ground still had moisture in it , it seemed to turn out lumpy like yours . We would run over it numerous times in various angle so it was turned good . Then let it dry a couple days & hit it again with the disc . It even helped to drag the spring tooth garrow over it & then redisc it again . You need to get that ground dried out before it will smooth out . HTH ! I sure do miss those days . I also miss having land enough to even play with like that . God bless, Ken
 
yes, I have a disc behind the tractor right now. I also have a disc plow, and I have attached a picture of it here. It is not as shiny as yours. Many folks here followed the earlier conversation.

Yes, the ground is a little moister than I'd like, but it won;t be this dry again til late may or june, and I want to get some things in the ground before then, but yes, you are right.
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It looks like the discs on your plow are set at too steep of an angle. Is there an adjustment for that?
 
A disc plow doesn't do a smooth job of plowing as a moldboard plow, unless its adjusted by a good plow man.
Years ago vhen I vas still in school a man that I knew showed me how to adjust a disc plow so one could plow under sod as smooth as a moldboard plow.
Its been sew long ago, I forgot vhat little I knew aboot it.
Plowing vas one of my favorite yobs on tha farm.
 
The angle on that disk plow look was to aggressive to me. The 2 bottom disk plow I have the disks are not turned as steep as yours are and that could be way your having such a problem
 
In these parts (Ohio) ground like that would still freeze and thaw repeatedly and rained on so by planting time it would weather down nicely.
 
Tail wheel coulter is wore out, you need to replace it, that is a common problem. Just unbolt the weight, and coulter, get yourself a new coulter apx 2-3" bigger in diameter.
 
I think the disc on the plow should have the front edge running parallel with the tractor. Not sure how that is accomplished. I had one of those disc plows once, never did get it to work right.
 
There isn;t and adjustment for that on the Dearborn
10-80... the angle is set by the casting. The
original discs may have been dished differently.
 
The angle of the disk them self seem to aggressive as in they should be more like 30 or so degrees instead of what appears to be more like 75 degrees on yours
 
Disc plows are for ground with lots of rocks. They are never as smooth as a moldboard plow but serve a purpose in ground where a moldboard would hang and catch. Is your ground rocky with lots of geodes? If not, you are likely using the wrong plow.
 
William,
guys might have something as that dirt looks a little wet,

the condition of the rear trail or guide wheel on the old disc plow is the key to satisfactory operation of the plow. On my disc plow the rear guide blade sticks out past the cast weight at least 1 1/2 to 2 " beyond the cast weight. It has to be able to dig into the furrow and hold the plow or guide the plow.

I have a MF64 disc plow and I had to install a new rear guide wheel blade, the plow follows the tractor and really kicks out the dirt, it backs up from nothing, roots, rocks, etc.

I have both flat bottom plows and disc plows, the disc plows will leave the ground rougher.

Some years, I have broken the gardens in the fall with the disc plows and just left the soil in the rough condition. As the soil freezes and thaws during the winter, by spring the ground just falls all to pieces, you might try that next year on that very flat garden spot, as it would not wash.

Look up the N tractor site on the internet, they have information on your plow, should tell you all about parts, how to set the plows and any other information about disc plows, etc:

Disc plows are a different animal, some like them better, other not so much, but before these fancy kick back flat bottom plows came out, you could tear up a regular set of plows in rocky or roots.

the disc plow was the ticket to plow that ground.
however, when that rear guide blade wears out the plow is hard to use.
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When I was a kid at home Dad would say drop the plow and go a coupla feet, get off and grab a hand full of dirt, pinch it tight in your fist, open your hand and if it sticks together when you drop it on the ground, go back to the house.
 
A disc plow set to a less aggressive or more shallow angle won't work well. I have a 3 bottom trailer type and if you don't have enough angle it not only won't turn sod, it won't penetrate. They have a lot more angle to them than a moldboard plow.
 
That was one big advantage of a Ferguson disc plow over the Dearborn models. The angle of the discs are adjustable as well as the tail wheel angle is adjustable. I am getting ready to change the discs out on mine. I am going with 1/4" notched discs on mine which Ferguson offered originally for their disc plows as they said the notched disc would penetrate hard ground better and work better in trashy soil.The Dearborn plow uses the same exact disc as a Ferguson. I will film my next plowing with it and give you an update on whether or not they worked better for me here in east TN.
 
Looks better, you could work it diagonal too, then see how the clods break up. I can't say for sure, extra passes, compaction, but it seems you are early enough, after the disc does its thing, whats left to break up may settle, and you could be close to having a decent seed bed, if you hit it again before you plant. I don't claim to be an expert, but like I said in the previous post, have done similar, not in the area so much in the photo in the earlier post, but in a new food plot, first time I ever plowed, ok, but almost like what you had. No problem LOL... I was able to work it down and I got decent stand of clover after, I had some weed/grass regrowth, the next time it worked out much better, and now, even with the worst sod here, I bite the bullet and use the single bottom, 2x as many passes but it gives me the best results, though I am hopefully going try my 101 ford 2 bottom with moldboard extensions this season, might just be all it needs Best part was I enjoyed learning, doing and listening to experienced folks here. I have worked with large tillage equipment with my long time friend a local dairyman, both garden and plots were a lot of fun, beneficial, + some work but nothing serious if something went wrong. This darned stuff gets in your blood, you had best watch it, before you know it you'll want to plant crops, well more than just a garden LOL !
 

Once you get it all smoothed out you will need to go back with your plow and turn it all again. The reason is that once you get it smooth, you are going to have areas that never got turned. After two or three years the parts that got turned will settle and compact significantly, while those that did not will not settle or compact much. The result will be that it will be much rougher after four years than when you seed it down.
 
That is entirely true, I've seen that happen when the plow was not working as it should be, I was concerned about mentioning to do that because of the extra passes, moldboard plowing and compaction. In his first post I posted photos of the 2nd time I plowed, there is some dead green trash showing, but the 2nd time was much better, though in the photos, that plow is not adjusted right at all, it did work and the grass came in nice.After breaking up the first pass, and his looks to be similar soil, I let it settle a bit, 2nd time the 2-12 AB-12 H.F.plow did not plug, and it was thick sod, worked out great. I replaced the shin and share on my single bottom, takes longer, but what a difference when you disc it, because it works as it should and the resulting seedbed is as it should be.

The hardpan and compaction thing, I assume is more prevalent in clay, than sandy, loamy or more well drained soils, is it that the share is like a screed, and while it scrapes over the subsoil, it densifies the fines, makes it impermeable, hardens up so roots have a hard time penetrating through ?
 
(quoted from post at 06:58:46 02/03/14) That was one big advantage of a Ferguson disc plow over the Dearborn models. The angle of the discs are adjustable as well as the tail wheel angle is adjustable. I am getting ready to change the discs out on mine. I am going with 1/4" notched discs on mine which Ferguson offered originally for their disc plows as they said the notched disc would penetrate hard ground better and work better in trashy soil.The Dearborn plow uses the same exact disc as a Ferguson. I will film my next plowing with it and give you an update on whether or not they worked better for me here in east TN.

A disc harrow disc is not the same as a disc plow disc. Where are you getting the replacement discs?
 
(quoted from post at 13:09:58 02/04/14)
(quoted from post at 06:58:46 02/03/14) That was one big advantage of a Ferguson disc plow over the Dearborn models. The angle of the discs are adjustable as well as the tail wheel angle is adjustable. I am getting ready to change the discs out on mine. I am going with 1/4" notched discs on mine which Ferguson offered originally for their disc plows as they said the notched disc would penetrate hard ground better and work better in trashy soil.The Dearborn plow uses the same exact disc as a Ferguson. I will film my next plowing with it and give you an update on whether or not they worked better for me here in east TN.

A disc harrow disc is not the same as a disc plow disc. Where are you getting the replacement discs?

What is the difference between them if the diameter and the concave depth is the same?
 
Are they the same depth and is the dish the same? My plow discs are a lot deeper than any harrow disc I've ever seen. Plus, finding 28" discs isn't easy, not to mention the center holes are nothing like what I have.
 
A disk plow will not plow sod as nicely as a moldboard plow but it can do a bit nicer of a job than what I am seeing.

Your operators manual should go into detail on how to adjust your disk scrapers. The scrapers are in charge of not only keeping the disks clean but also of how quickly the soil is kicked back down towards the ground as it climbs the disk. For sod the scrapers are usually ran lower than what I am seeing in the photos of your plow. If they are ran too high the sod is allowed to follow the disk too far around which fractures the sod into slabs which are turned every which way when they land.

The other key to smooth plowing of sod is ground speed. Ground speed will need to be slow to keep the sod from ribboning up above the scraper.

Next time you plow adjust the scrapers and ground speed to see if things work a bit better for you.
 
(quoted from post at 13:27:37 02/05/14) Are they the same depth and is the dish the same? My plow discs are a lot deeper than any harrow disc I've ever seen. Plus, finding 28" discs isn't easy, not to mention the center holes are nothing like what I have.

Yes...same depth and dish. Mine are 26" on the Ferguson disc plow although you could get 28" as an option. The center hole may be different between the two but that shouldn't matter on mine because it is solid behind the center hole. I will try to mount one this weekend and I will keep you all posted on how it goes.
 

In the Ferguson disc plow manual it states that the scrapers act as your moldboards and how they are adjusted determines what kind of furrow they leave. After reading the manual I readjusted mine and it made a world of difference. I agree with you totally on the scrapers.
 
(quoted from post at 06:58:50 02/05/14)
(quoted from post at 13:27:37 02/05/14) Are they the same depth and is the dish the same? My plow discs are a lot deeper than any harrow disc I've ever seen. Plus, finding 28" discs isn't easy, not to mention the center holes are nothing like what I have.

Yes...same depth and dish. Mine are 26" on the Ferguson disc plow although you could get 28" as an option. The center hole may be different between the two but that shouldn't matter on mine because it is solid behind the center hole. I will try to mount one this weekend and I will keep you all posted on how it goes.

Are we talking the same thing here? The concave portion of the harrow disc you got is the same contour/shape as the plow disc? I have never seen any disc harrow disc shaped like my plow disc. The harrows tends to be a rather flat/shallow disc where my plow disc is much deeper with a more abrupt curve. I'd love to see pictures of yours.
 
I have not heard of a notched disc for a disc plow. Are they available for other than Ferguson plows? I like the idea.
 
(quoted from post at 01:52:29 02/06/14) I have not heard of a notched disc for a disc plow. Are they available for other than Ferguson plows? I like the idea.

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See number 42? That's part number 660 189 M1. Ferguson has had them available as an option since the early fifties. I can't speak for all disc plows but the Ferguson,Dearborn, and Allis Chalmers used the same bolt pattern. However I'm pretty sure Oliver and IHC used a different bolt pattern although they can always be redrilled.
 
What kind of disc plow do you have? Here is a new Sparex version of the Massey disc plow. It uses the same discs as the originals.

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You ever look at a Baker disc plow disc. Same 4" concave as on the Ferguson and Dearborns.

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I also have a Farmall A-151 disk plow and it has a different bolt pattern on the discs, but same concave.
 
I have no clue who made mine. I thought IH at first but the casting numbers are wrong, then I thought Case but they are wrong too. But I will try to remember to put a tape on it and do some measuring. I've been looking for replacement discs for several years as mine are worn down to the point they don't penetrate enough to stay in the ground. IIRC they look to have been 28", but they may have been larger. I got a 28" disc harrow blade once and the contour was all wrong. But- if Sparex or who ever is making a replacement disc and it wasn't big $$$ it might be worth a try.

I did see a Case single bottom disc plow up close once and the disc was shaped different than mine. Tried to buy that thing but the junkyard guy wouldn't sell! That one and mine are the only two I've ever seen up here.
 
(quoted from post at 14:00:18 02/06/14) I have no clue who made mine. I thought IH at first but the casting numbers are wrong, then I thought Case but they are wrong too. But I will try to remember to put a tape on it and do some measuring. I've been looking for replacement discs for several years as mine are worn down to the point they don't penetrate enough to stay in the ground. IIRC they look to have been 28", but they may have been larger. I got a 28" disc harrow blade once and the contour was all wrong. But- if Sparex or who ever is making a replacement disc and it wasn't big $$$ it might be worth a try.

I did see a Case single bottom disc plow up close once and the disc was shaped different than mine. Tried to buy that thing but the junkyard guy wouldn't sell! That one and mine are the only two I've ever seen up here.

I think just about every tractor manufacturer made a version of a disc plow at one time or another. Just some were a lot better than others. Im not sure how many different versions IHC alone made. Post a pic of it sometime. Those baker disc plows are made with up to a 34" inch disc.
 
Thank you! I have the Dearborn 10-80 manual but it gives very little information on setup- there's way more here in this thread!

I will ahve to go look where I bought the replacement 28" discs. They were spendy but the bolt holes were perfect. The adjsutemnts on the scrapers are crufty on this plow and difficult to accomplish. Not as fanvcy as on the fergusion.
 
(quoted from post at 17:09:22 02/06/14) I got my replacement 26" discs from TEMCO in Memphis, TN.

I know the disc you are talking about. Temco 73A263. I had looked at getting those but decided against them because they were close to $120.00 a piece and they are 3/16" thick whereas for $20.00 more I could have the 1/4" thick Agco discs. Then I found these notched ones for $100.00 less so I decided to go that route. If you could find the scrapers and brackets off of the later Dearborn 10-204 disc plow you would get a much better job as the angles were adjustable and the scrapers were made like a moldboard.
 
(quoted from post at 18:56:54 02/06/14)
(quoted from post at 17:09:22 02/06/14) I got my replacement 26" discs from TEMCO in Memphis, TN.

I know the disc you are talking about. Temco 73A263. I had looked at getting those but decided against them because they were close to $120.00 a piece and they are 3/16" thick whereas for $20.00 more I could have the 1/4" thick Agco discs. Then I found these notched ones for $100.00 less so I decided to go that route. If you could find the scrapers and brackets off of the later Dearborn 10-204 disc plow you would get a much better job as the angles were adjustable and the scrapers were made like a moldboard.

I just looked at Temco, they don't have anything over 24 now. What Agco disc are you using?

My plow is buried in 2 feet of snow, but near as I ca tell it originally used a 28 or 30" disc about 8" deep. Never found anything like that.
 
(quoted from post at 13:53:20 02/07/14)
(quoted from post at 18:56:54 02/06/14)
(quoted from post at 17:09:22 02/06/14) I got my replacement 26" discs from TEMCO in Memphis, TN.

I know the disc you are talking about. Temco 73A263. I had looked at getting those but decided against them because they were close to $120.00 a piece and they are 3/16" thick whereas for $20.00 more I could have the 1/4" thick Agco discs. Then I found these notched ones for $100.00 less so I decided to go that route. If you could find the scrapers and brackets off of the later Dearborn 10-204 disc plow you would get a much better job as the angles were adjustable and the scrapers were made like a moldboard.

I just looked at Temco, they don't have anything over 24 now. What Agco disc are you using?

My plow is buried in 2 feet of snow, but near as I ca tell it originally used a 28 or 30" disc about 8" deep. Never found anything like that.

Look at the bottom of the disc blade page on the right and you will see them. I emailed this place and they gave me a price and said they could get them.

http://www.woodwardcrossings.com/PDFs/2010_Retail%20for%20Temco.pdf

The number for the Massey smooth 1/4" 26" disc is 660126M1
 
(quoted from post at 07:01:58 02/07/14)
(quoted from post at 13:53:20 02/07/14)
(quoted from post at 18:56:54 02/06/14)
(quoted from post at 17:09:22 02/06/14) I got my replacement 26" discs from TEMCO in Memphis, TN.

I know the disc you are talking about. Temco 73A263. I had looked at getting those but decided against them because they were close to $120.00 a piece and they are 3/16" thick whereas for $20.00 more I could have the 1/4" thick Agco discs. Then I found these notched ones for $100.00 less so I decided to go that route. If you could find the scrapers and brackets off of the later Dearborn 10-204 disc plow you would get a much better job as the angles were adjustable and the scrapers were made like a moldboard.

I just looked at Temco, they don't have anything over 24 now. What Agco disc are you using?

My plow is buried in 2 feet of snow, but near as I ca tell it originally used a 28 or 30" disc about 8" deep. Never found anything like that.

Look at the bottom of the disc blade page on the right and you will see them. I emailed this place and they gave me a price and said they could get them.

http://www.woodwardcrossings.com/PDFs/2010_Retail%20for%20Temco.pdf

The number for the Massey smooth 1/4" 26" disc is 660126M1

Is this the Temco youre looking at? http://www.temcoparts.com/Default.aspx?page=category%20search%20results&CatList=0&Parent=716&tree=708*TILLAGE%2fPLANTING+PARTS*0@@709*DISC+BLADES*0@@716*PLAIN+DISC+BLADES*0@@
 
Look at the angle of the discs on that new yellow implement. You have to figure out how to set your similar to that or get rid of it.
 
I'm intrested that y'all say that. theres a lot of dearborn 10-80s or
similar and they all seem to have the same casting and thus the
same disc angle. Mine the original discs were worn down by 3
inches of radius, and those were replacement discs so someone
thought it worked for 50-60 years.
 
(quoted from post at 23:31:44 02/12/14) I'm intrested that y'all say that. theres a lot of dearborn 10-80s or
similar and they all seem to have the same casting and thus the
same disc angle. Mine the original discs were worn down by 3
inches of radius, and those were replacement discs so someone
thought it worked for 50-60 years.

I don't think your discs have to be angled like those on that new one. Ford sold a lot of those plows and the later models were very similar with the biggest change being the scrapers were improved on the later models. Look at the angle of the discs on mine and it works fine.

3E29D7C0-630B-4337-B621-CAF7ACBE58BB-24899-00002A309C6D1112_zpscc7294f6.jpg
 

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