Super M Plowing :Do I hook to the swinging drawbar?

mike1972chev · Apr 14, 2011

Hey Guys,

I just recently bought a #16 McCormick plow (3x14)for my Super M.I really DO NOT know much about set up of a hitch drawn plow.(I used a 3 point mounted Dearborn behind a Ford 600 as a kid.)

I know that the hitch will be offset somewhat to get the moldboards in line with the furrow wheels of the tractor.But do I hook to the SWINGING drawbar and offset it,or do I hook right to the U bar in one of the offset holes??? (One fellow told me to do that.)

Any additional plow set up help or tractor set up here I would greatly appreciate it.Please feel free to "chime in"(I dont like looking ignorant at a Plow Day ! lol)

John T · Apr 14, 2011

Id adjust the "real" swinging drawbar (offset as necessary) so the inside of the furrow wheel is 14 inches from the first plow bottom (assumes 14 inch plow) AND HITCH THE PLOW TO THE REAL DRAWBAR NOT THE ADJUSTMENT BAR HOLES.

John T

rustyfarmall · Apr 14, 2011

(quoted from post at 10:19:42 04/14/11) Hey Guys,

I just recently bought a #16 McCormick plow (3x14)for my Super M.I really DO NOT know much about set up of a hitch drawn plow.(I used a 3 point mounted Dearborn behind a Ford 600 as a kid.)

I know that the hitch will be offset somewhat to get the moldboards in line with the furrow wheels of the tractor.But do I hook to the SWINGING drawbar and offset it,or do I hook right to the U bar in one of the offset holes??? (One fellow told me to do that.)

Any additional plow set up help or tractor set up here I would greatly appreciate it.Please feel free to "chime in"(I dont like looking ignorant at a Plow Day ! lol)

You can use the swinging drawbar, but only if it is held securely in the center position. Even better is to swing the drawbar clear off to the left side, pin it in that position and do not use it.

The plow is supposed to be pulled directly from the center of the tractor, and you may need to slide the RIGHT REAR tractor wheel IN or OUT on the axle so it will run in the furrow. The hitch on the plow is also adjustable, but THAT adjustment is to allow for getting the plow centered behind the tractor.

Hitch that plow to the very center hole in the horseshoe part of the drawbar, which is what it is meant for, and then slide that right rear wheel to the correct position.

LenND · Apr 14, 2011

When pulling a plow or other equipment use the drawbar set in the center. That is what that drawbar is for. That drawbar is fastened on front end under the tranny by a heavy pin. THAT is for towing. The other part of rear hitch is not made for pulling, that is there for the drawbar to rest on and adjust to one side or the other. It was not originally intended to be used for pulling.

rustred · Apr 14, 2011

yes, thats the way it should be and thats the way i do it and all others i have seen.have never seen plow being pulled from the horseshoe. that may even encounter problems turning at headlands due to the shortness of hitch.

Janicholson · Apr 14, 2011

Not true, the U shaped part is just fine for use as a pull point.
Jim

Janicholson · Apr 14, 2011

The swinging drawbar is one of the finest ideas from IH.

It allows the use of drags disk harrows, and other devices that are pulled while turning. (not plows) The pull point is at a mid point of the tractor, allowing the forces applied to shift in the direction of the sweeping turn. This assists in turning and reduces steering effort and tire slip in turns. Fantastic for a spike tooth drag as it helps keep the draw chains out of the rear tires. (still an issue, but far less than a pinned to the center pull point.) Jim

rustyfarmall · Apr 14, 2011

(quoted from post at 12:29:32 04/14/11) When pulling a plow or other equipment use the drawbar set in the center. That is what that drawbar is for. That drawbar is fastened on front end under the tranny by a heavy pin. THAT is for towing. The other part of rear hitch is not made for pulling, that is there for the drawbar to rest on and adjust to one side or the other. It was not originally intended to be used for pulling.

You need to do your homework. If you will consult a parts catalog, you will see that the swinging was an extra cost option and was NOT an original part of the tractor. The horseshoe IS the drawbar.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 14, 2011

That plow have a break away hitch or do the moldboards trip???

Cienna · Apr 14, 2011

You're exactly right,RustyFarmall!!

Cienna · Apr 14, 2011

You're exactly right,RustyFarmall!!

Wilson · Apr 14, 2011

sure wish I could copy and post john deeres 1950 era guide to implement hook-up. There is ALOT more than just the tractor part you must consider the center of the plow pull point and it IS NOT at the tip of the middle plow bottom. Hopefull B&D can post from john deeres book. When a plow and tractor are set properly its a joy to plow. Properly done you could even run the tractoe on the land and pull the plow properly

randy hall · Apr 14, 2011

where do you come up with the idea that the horseshoe drawbar is not made for pulling? the swinging drawbar was an extra cost option. did you ever see an f-20? they pulled alot without a swinging drawbar.

LenND · Apr 14, 2011

I didn't say the horse shoe couldn't be used. All these people that have bent horseshoe hitches wouldn't have that problem if they would hook to the drawbar. In my 78 years I've probably plowed as many or more acres than most people. Years ago we farmed over a 1000 acres and just about everything was plowed with just two Ms. I'll give you a little hint--If you want to do a decent job of plowing in hilly land you will save a lot of time by using the swinging drawbar set in the middle of the hitch.

LenND · Apr 14, 2011

+The swinging drawbar may have been an addon BUT in this part of the country you wonldn't find a tractor without it when bought new. The only once without those used the tractor for haying and such. You get in rock country and you will save a bent horse shoe. There wasn't such as trip bottoms. The spring hitches helped some but after a few thousand acres they no longer worked like new. BTDT

rustred · Apr 14, 2011

yes maybe so in the farmall line of tractors. in the standards there is no such thing as a tractor without a swinging drawbar. one guy in our antique tractor pulls was deleting the drawbar and pulling of the horseshoe with his farmalls, he was out pulling a lot of people but when i saw he was hooked to the horseshoe he had an advantage be cause he had more down pull on the rear tires. the next time it was use the drawbar or dont pull. to top it off he came with drawbars installed and had them cut to the shortest minimum the rules allow. that made me laugh.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 14, 2011

My Dad always had us put the swing drawbar off to the side and pulled from the center hole in horseshoe draw bar, if you would try and pull from the swinging drawbar it is further back and makes front end lighter.

biggerred · Apr 14, 2011

if it was such a hot idea,(just the U bar)looks like it would still be used today. I guess that means you cant use a hydraulic wood splitter, cause a million years ago a cave man used a sledge hammer and wedge.

rustred · Apr 14, 2011

i dont agree with that, the horse shoe will make your front lighter as your pulling right off the rear axles. pulling off the drawbar will sooner keep your front down as its attached ahead of the rear axles.

mike1972chev · Apr 15, 2011

break away hitch on plow.

mkirsch · Apr 15, 2011

Ultimately, though, you should be pulling from the CENTER, whether it's the swinging drawbar or the horseshoe.

You need to adjust the right rear wheel, and the tongue of the plow, so that the plow is basically centered on the tractor and making a full cut.

Plowing with old tractors like this uses 100% of the tractor's pulling ability, so it is CRITICAL you get the "draft" close to correct, so the tractor will drive straight.

If you're significantly off with the draft line, the tractor will always want to veer off to the left or right, and you will spend all your time fighting to keep the tractor running straight.

mike1972chev · Apr 15, 2011

I see quite a few have their own "take" on how it is supposed to be done. My #16 plow manuall I bought shows how to set up the GEOMETRY of the plow and hitch,but does not show how to hook it to the tractor.

Thanks for all of the input so far! : )

rustyfarmall · Apr 15, 2011

(quoted from post at 07:49:30 04/15/11) I see quite a few have their own "take" on how it is supposed to be done. My #16 plow manuall I bought shows how to set up the GEOMETRY of the plow and hitch,but does not show how to hook it to the tractor.

Thanks for all of the input so far! : )

The manual I have for the Little Genius #8 shows the plow is hooked to the center hole in the horseshoe.

mike1972chev · Apr 15, 2011

A fellow told me that IH made a special ring that bolts thru the U bar/horseshoe's holes that was made to hook your plow to.(Like I have seen for John Deere)

Is this true????

Janicholson · Apr 15, 2011

I disagree, If the drawbar is pinned to the U, the effect is just an extension plate on the U as far as pulling on the tractor. The frame cares not a whit where the bar is attached if it is held vertically and horizontally. The bar is just a thickness lower than the U and as such can make the front tires just a little less light on the pull, but not much. It was always dad's mode to pull from the U with our M and SH. using a twist clevis.
Jim

Super M Plowing :Do I hook to the swinging drawbar?

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads