IH Fast Hitch plows

Happyfeet

Member
I own a Farmall 400 with fast hitch and am interested in getting a fast hitch plow in 4 bottom. I see a few different models out there like the 412 and 411. I see differences in tail wheels etc, any of you have a favorite or opinion as to which model is superior and why? Thanks for your replies!
 
That IH 400 would not handle a 4 bottom plow in most soils unless they are sand. It is just a glorified "M" and those struggled with 3 plows in hilly ground with clay.
 
Between the 411 & 412 , I`d take the 412 for the simple fact that it`s a semi-mount and less weight on the hitch. If you would be considering a 3 bottom, there`s lots of 311 plows out there and they do a good job. I like one that has a gauge wheel to help with plow depth. In either case, try and find one with Super Chief bottoms. I`m not sure how many were sold new with them, but I think the later ones were. Plow Chief bottoms are good, but parts are getting scarce and expensive.
 
(quoted from post at 13:04:04 01/13/18) That IH 400 would not handle a 4 bottom plow in most soils unless they are sand. It is just a glorified "M" and those struggled with 3 plows in hilly ground with clay.

True that a 400 is in the Farmall M lineage, but a 400 is 264 C.I. vs. the M at 248 C.I.. Also the 400 has a torque amplifier , so while an M may have struggled in hilly clay ground, the 400 has a few more HP and 10 speeds to choose from instead of 5. I doubt many 400`s struggled with a 3 bottom plow in the vast majority of conditions.
 
I have to agree with you. I have an IH 400 with a 311 fast hitch plow that my dad bought. Three bottoms was all that it could pull in our red clay soil, especially if the ground was dry or packed down from chopping corn. It was mostly a traction problem rather than engine power. It wasn't until I got my 2 cylinder JD 830 that I could pull a 4-bottom plow in our red clay. So a lot depends on the kind of soil you have. Al
 
I pulled four bottoms with my SMTA back when I still used it for plowing. Soil is decidedly not sand but neither is it wet sucking clay. Tractor is well tuned and tires are loaded. Additional weights on rear. When it was weighed down in Illinois prior to going in the semi trailer it came in at 9200 lbs. Pulls fine.
 
I have a 400d with 3-14 FH plow. I have heavy clay and had difficulty pull a 3-16 Oliver drag plow. The 3-14 is about right.
If you buy a four bottom, I'd want an easily removable bottom.
Two items. Currently, my hyd. Pump is gradually losing pressure, to the point that I have trouble lifting the plow. And I had to drill another pair of
adjustment holes in the plow hitch to compensate for metal sag after 60 years. A semi-mount might alleviate the problem.
 
(quoted from post at 09:05:39 01/13/18) I own a Farmall 400 with fast hitch and am interested in getting a fast hitch plow in 4 bottom. I see a few different models out there like the 412 and 411. I see differences in tail wheels etc, any of you have a favorite or opinion as to which model is superior and why? Thanks for your replies!

since were taking bout fast hitch plows, what would y'all hang on a 460 with a fast hitch... right now im pulling a #8 3-14 and Mable dosen't even knows it back there

bass
 
I think you would be much happier with a 3 bottom over a 4.You may even find 3 may be too much in some places.yes you could probably pull a 4 ,but why pull the crap out of your tractor,or have to be in low gear.That's pretty embarrassing at plow days going slow,makeing every one wait.Better to have a plow one bottom 'too small' than one bottom 'too big'.It all depends upon the soil types in your area as to the size of plow that is best.Be sure to get a plow with 'Super Chief' bottoms.Then you can replace old worn shares by just unbolting them and bolting on new.
 
Back in the day we used a 412 4x16 plow on a 560. We pulled it all over and plowed many acres of alfalfa. Your 400 will pull 4 but i would use 3 as the old girl is 65 years old.
 
my SuperM turns almost 60 horse with 281 cubes. 3 bottoms is the MOST it could pull.2x16 is a good load in our sticky wet tight irrigated soil.
 
When my dad plowed with the 400, it didn't have solution in the tires or much weight. But I doubt it could have pulled 4 bottoms even if it was weighted down. I now plow with a JD 6110R and a 4-16 JD plow and sometimes it takes 4-wheel drive and differential lock to plow through some hard red clay spots. Picture is my 400 this fall after plowing an acre just to use it a bit. Al
a253699.jpg
 
Probably a 3-14 would be the way to go. I'm just looking for another toy, don't even know of any plow days near me although I'm sure there are one or two. I live smack dab in the middle of Iowa. Our soil is called Loamy Wisconsin Glacial Till. Its the deep black color in most places. I have a good fast hitch on my 400 and no implements for it and thought a plow would be fun. Presently I own a nice 2-16 Little Genius and used to pull it with a strong M I previously owned. My small bit of experience says proper set up of the plow and soil conditions play a big role as well and the right tractor set up for the job. Thanks for the replies!
 
(quoted from post at 23:55:29 01/13/18)

since were taking bout fast hitch plows, what would y'all hang on a 460 with a fast hitch... right now im pulling a #8 3-14 and Mable dosen't even knows it back there

bass
Dad used to pull 4 14's behind a 460. 4th gear and let her go in the corn stubble....had to fuel her up pretty often though.
 
I have seen more moldboarding this fall again than for sometime. Mostly chisel now but I think moldboarding is better. Done properly you will have less weed pressure. The first no tiller in this county went back to the moldboard.
 
Happy feet, you want a plow with a long tail wheel,like the NO 70 had, and if you can find one with a land wheel for depth control,and i prefer plow chief bottoms,with the deep suck option, at our last plow day that land hadn't been plowed for 14 years, i had my 3-16 there in the deep suck hole, with new Lays, and i maintained 7-8 in deep from end to end, and it pulled hard. Some of those guys there were only plowing a 1 in deep, with wore out shares.
 

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