Re: Re: Re: Why a disc plow?

Posted by John L. on February 16, 2003 at 17:19:21 from (206.50.48.153):

In Reply to: Re: Re: Why a disc plow? posted by ron in MN on February 16, 2003 at 13:25:29:

I enjoyed the disc plow comments. Back in the 50's we used a 4 disc Moline "disc breaking plow" and was happy with the way it worked in dry, hard soil. It would plow about as deep as you could pull it. Each large disc was mounted on a single foot and layed back at the top allowing the bottom of the disc to really take the soil. These were generally heavy plows and would rarely jump out of the furrow.
We pulled the plow with a UTU Moline and many times had a guide on the tractor so that the tractor could be used during the night as we slept.
The guide consisted of two large, dull edge discs that ran parallel to each other and were pointed slightly in at the front so that they fought to stay in the plowed furrow. A disc breaking plow caused a large deep furrow and the guide was particularly suited to this use. The two discs guided a rolling colter that followed them and this colter was attached to a shaft that connected to the front wheels of the tractor, and when the colter moved left, the tractor wheels were turned left as well. If the guiding discs hit something or jumped out of the furrow, it would jacknife with the colter and would short the tractor's ignition out, killing the tractor. The engine was equipped with Murphy gauges that monitored the water temperature and oil pressure and would interrupt the ignition if danger threatened the engine. We also tied a rope onto the coil wire and ran it back and fastened it on the plow so that in the event the hitch pin failed, the tractor would be killed and not go around the field and run onto the plow.
In the late evening we would service and fuel the tractor and plow and prepare to run it that night. I would place the tractor in gear and run the throttle full up and engage the clutch. If everything was running well, I would then jump off the tractor. I tripped once and fell but crawled fast and the plow didn't get me.
It was fun to lay in bed and hear the tractor as it made its round. We didn't run the lights and so we could see it. Sometimes if we couldn't hear it, we would start tracking it down driving along side the furrow until we found it.
Even with all the safety precautions we took, sometimes they failed and the tractor contined with various results. We had a friends make about 5 or 6 circles in our new hardtop road before it ran out of gas.

Follow Ups:

Post A Followup Name: E-Mail: Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Why a disc plow? Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]