Trip Plow

1954Frank · Nov 26, 2018

I am not a farmer, though I did work on a farm for my grandpa some as a teenager. What is a trip plow, or lever plow? I've watched a bunch of YouTube videos of old tractors pulling plows. Some have wheels but no hydraulics. They have 1 or 2 big levers that point forward toward the driver. He pulls or pushes on the levers to lower or raise the plow. It doesn't appear that he has to manually lift the implement by brute strength. Does it work by some sort of eccentric? The forward motion raises or lowers the plow depending on the position or orientation of the wheels?
I usually understand mechanical devices, but haven't quite got this figured out.
Thanks

Charlie M · Nov 26, 2018

There were different ways to lift implements in those days. A plow with 2 levers had a mechanism built into the unplowed side wheel that when the operator pulled a rope would make the mechanism turn and lift the plow. Pulling it again would cause the plow to lower. That met you had to be moving to raise the plow and if you were stuck in the mud it could be a problem. Concerning the 2 levers, the one on the unplowed side would control depth and the one on the furrow side would control tilting the plow from side to side. This was important to keep the plow pulling level when there was no furrow for the plow wheel to run in like when you make your first pass across the field. Plows that use hydraulics only have the lever to tilt the plow as you can control depth with the hydraulics. Sometimes mounted plows were lifted by brute strength but had a heavy spring to assist.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Nov 26, 2018

Thos old rope trip plows were lots of fun when the plow hit a rock and the hitch released while you were pulling the rope. It is amazing how long your arm can get before you turn loose of the rope.

Charlie M · Nov 26, 2018

Try tying the rope to the spring on the seat and having it pull out the spring. Talk about a sinking feeling.

old · Nov 26, 2018

On a trip plow one wheel has a thing in it that will let the plow down to bring it up when you pull on the rope. I have at least 3 of those where. 1 Oliver 2-16 and 2 JD 2-12. At one time I had what was called a rooster comb plow made by Oliver but sold it a long time ago

gab · Nov 26, 2018

Thought I was the only one.

DR. EVIL · Nov 26, 2018

All Dad's pull type plows were either factory hyd lift or converted to hyd lift from mechanical lift. So much nicer to raise them with a push or pull of a lever. I plowed at a plow day about 1/8th mile down a field with an IH #8 3-14 trip plow and 1/8th mile back. Hope I NEVER have to pull a trip rope ever again.

RN · Nov 27, 2018

Simple wire hook at end of trip rope to back of seat- if drawbar hook trips, wire hook straightens out and and you don't get yank from seat when seat gets pulled back. DO NOT TIE THE WIRE, leave open end open so easy to straighten when find that big rock. Carry short handle shovel and prybar along side/front of H or M- lots of bolt holes in subframe to tie to, some chain to pull plow backwards couple feet if needed. Sometimes just have to plow around big rock for year or 2- then 40% dynamite on top with some mud pack, long fuse--big rock becomes many little rocks. RN

1954Frank · Nov 27, 2018

Thanks for all replies. They helped me understand.

DoubleR · Nov 28, 2018

We had a Case DC and would tie the rope to the hand crank that slid from the back under the seat. When the plow tripped you would
just loose the crank. Funny how you can remember a small thing like that from probably sixty years ago but can't remember if you
took your pill a hour ago.

Trip Plow

1954Frank

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Charlie M

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john .?-!. cub owner

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Charlie M

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old

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gab

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DR. EVIL

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RN

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1954Frank

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DoubleR

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