Balast compensation

Welsarth

New User
I'm looking for information regarding the addition resulting from the uplifting of a mold board plow, 3-6 moldboards in the 4-8 MPH range. I know this will very by soil type but was wondering where I might find a source of such information.

The ultimate goal is, using a front suspension tractor, adjust each side to level out the balast of each wheel, hence I need to know just how much additional weight I need to carry on the opposing axle.
Perhaps I should mention this is for a front plow-rear plow combination.

Without compensation, the tractor sort of rocks between the front and opposing rear wheel. I'm guessing a 40:60 four wheel drive tractor might during plowing have a 30:10 and 40:20 weight / axle ratio and want to by softening the suspension on one side of the front axle, level this ratio off to 20:20 and 30:30. (realize these are theoretical numbers and our 40:60 tractor might be 32:68 and closer to 27:5 and 45:23 then our 40:60 tractor.

Despite the great addition to the balast of our tractor with the front plow, we may further need additional weighted balast!

The ultimate goal is to keep soil compaction to a minimum and minimize fuel consumption!
 
A great question.
Ballasting to limit depth change oscillations might be difficult. I would argue for a more direct solution that allowed stronger traction equalization. That is to use a gauge wheel on the rear plow to force the depth to remain constant. (could be front as well, or only)
Plow shares address the soil with a cutting edge. as it wears, the suction of the moldboard changes. Soil conditions (even across the distance between front and rear can also affect the depth and suction across the entire unit.
Gauge wheels would be set to just graze the undisturbed earth.
My rationale is that construction equipment and leveling devices often use depth gauge wheels to stabelize cut settings. Jim
 
But there is one practical limitation to a gauge wheel. It can tend to carry the weight of the plow limiting the weight transfer ability of the 3-point hitch. If the tractor is bouncing I would suspect tire pressure problems first. Mike
 

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