Set-up for plowing - tractor (newbie)

I've got a JD 4600, that 'till now has been used only for bushhogging and grounds maintenance, but I want to start plowing around 10-12 acres a year. It's about 43hp. and I was figuring on getting a 3pt 2x14 plow. I figured on a 3pt. so I could back up close to fences and plow closer to the edges, and 2x14 so as not to press too close to the hp limits.

The issue for me now though is tractor wheel spacing. My tractor's rear tires can be set for seven different spacings (and I believe the front axle will adjust to track within the tread of most if not all the rear's tread options). How does one determine the optimum spread to choose?

It seems that if the spread is small the tractor might be less stable, but if the spread is too wide, the plow must be shifted so far to one side of center that there would be a great power loss and too powerful a tendency to turn the tractor.

I suppose too that there is a limit to how far to one side the plow can be mounted and therefore the point of the leading plow might not even reach the furrow if the tires are set too wide.

My tractor's rear tread options allow for the following spaces BETWEEN the rear tires:

38" <--current spread
42"
46"
50"
54"
58"
62"

Now it seems to me that with a 2x14 plow, cutting a 28" wide path, offset to cut up to the furrow, itself will be set off center. Wider tire spacings require even more offset. How far off center can a plow be set? If I go ahead and set the gap at 50" to allow for cultivating 36" rows, for example, will I be able to plow with that spread as well?

Thanks again for any help. Comments on my choice of plow are welcome as well.

G.Doyle

The best bet is to hook it up & try it, make adjustments as you go. We probably can't give you a real number that will mean anything - exactly. It's trial & error.

I mostly use bigger 2-point type plows, but I've found running that right wheel in close to the tractor often is best.

Many different adjustments with the wheel spacing & plow hitch are possible, but I bet having the wheel in closer will work better - probably most of the time.

Worrying about stability is always a good saftey trait, but when plowing, the tractor needs a lot of power on the ground, and you will probably run out of grip long before you tip. On my big tractor the lean does freak my wife out, & I need to plow the worse hills - but we are far, far from being in a dangerous place. Could be an issue with a narrow compact tho.

--->Paul