How to plow fallow/never tilled land?

I have 5 acres I would like to hobby farm. The land was cleared of trees, stumps, graded, and planted with horse mix grass by the previous owner. The land may have been farmed in the past since there is a rock wall near by. The geographic area is littered with small rocks. The majority of stones are no bigger than a basketball. I would like to try and till the land. I have an old MF tractor that is 30hp and has no hydraulic remotes.

What is a good choice of plow?

I have seen pull type and 3pt type. I have also seen some labeled trip plows that kick out of the ground when they hit something solid. Intuitively I do not think that imparting the force of an impact into the 3pt would be good for the tractor. Would a pull type plow be less punishing to the tractor? I am willing to switch plow type at a later time when/if I get the fields clean. There are large established farms nearby which gives me confidence I can clean up the fields.

Thanks,

Dean

Personally if I were starting out in what you describe, I would go with single bottom 16" or 18". These plows handle trash very well even if not high clearence models. Rocks the size of basketballs suggest to me your going to find roots as well. Two bottom plow will work, your just going to find yourself back there more often cleaning it out. Remember also your hand on throttle and your gear selection will do far more to protect impact on tractor than any break away device.

From your description you want to clean this up rather than bury. If I were you I would also find a 3 point S tine cultivator about 5' to 7' wide. These require about 1.25 to 1.5 hp per tooth or shank. These will do and excellent job of putting rocks and other trash on surface. If you wish a photo of these send me an e mail. My e mail is exposed, just click on my name.