Question about moldoard plowing

466dtrollingcoal · Feb 24, 2012

I was wondering if theres a method out there to help you select the proper moldboard plow for you specific tractor. All things that I can think of that would add up is a 6cyl diesel tractor has more weight and lugging power so a 100 hp 6cyl would be able to lug a 5x16 much better than a 4 cyl, but a 4cyl diesel tractor is more compact and more agile in the field. Obviosly 4wd plays a big role in the field as well as the type of soil as I am used to hard clay. What is the rule of thumb for moldboard plowing? I would appreciate some insight on this subject. Thank You

SouthernFarmall · Feb 24, 2012

This is a very good thread. It contains a pile of information.

SF
Choosing Plow Size

Kow Farmer · Feb 24, 2012

I am sure you are going to get many different opinions from many people on this topic for sure. As far as what tractor is made for what plow is a very good question. There are so many variables to look at in this situation. Speaking for myself. I personally have a 1966 1850 Oliver with a 6 cylinder gas engine. I pull a 4-14" Case plow with this ol' girl. I have very heavy black soil here in Southern Minnesota. Last year was an exceptionally dry year, but that 4 bottom was all I wanted to do a great job of plowing my cornstalks under. I was plowing 8"-9" deep. I would rather have a little less plow than too much because no 2 years are ever alike in farming. I have seen many people brag their tractors could pull X amount of bottoms one year, and the next year the same plow was too big. I hope this makes some kind of sense to you. Just my humble opinion and experience.
Kow Farmer

JayinNY · Feb 24, 2012

My friend has a case 1690 4wd with a 5 or 6 bottom
Plow, i cant remember which one.we are also on hard clay, that tractor is really working when he's plowing with it. Most tractors in the past would state something like a 3 bottom plié tractor, ect

davediehl@hotmail.com · Feb 24, 2012

We have always used 20 horsepower per bottom in average soils. There has been times where 25 would have been a better figure. 4 bottoms on 80 horses will work at a reasonable speed. 6 bottoms on 190 horses runs very efficient, more so than the 80 on 4 bottoms.

fixerupper · Feb 24, 2012

In my neck of the woods we used to figure 20HP per bottom. Farmers with a 100 HP tractor pulled 5/16's back in the day. They didn't go fast but they could pull it all day long. 50 HP tractors would pull 4-14's or 3-16's. 40 horses pulled 2-16's. That was back in the days when tractors had more pounds per HP. I wouldn't think the difference in the amount of cylinders would have much to do with it as long as the HP and torque are the same. Jim

Matt in TN · Feb 24, 2012

I've always said a 40 drawbar hp tractor can pull 40 inches of plow width. I pull 2-14's with a Ford 640. Ground conditions and plow make can change things up, though.

DeltaRed · Feb 24, 2012

Here in irrigated western Colorado,we figure 30-35 hp per bottom.I pull 4-16 with 125 hp(IH1256)and 3-14 with a turbo charged 706(95 horses)I try to run at 4-5 mph.Talk to your neighbors.they can tell you what size tractor /plow you should use.Every area is different.

Bill(Wis) · Feb 25, 2012

It will depend almost entirely on "plowing conditions" and your type of soil. Number of cylinders on the tractor engine will make no difference. Examople: Sure, a lot of the bigger tractors use 6 cylinder engines but take a look at a Kubota M135X. 4 cylinders with a turbocharger that will outpull many a six cyl tractor. HP, weight, traction, mounted plow vs pull type. Plowing down six year old alfalfa on hard red clay or corn stubble on sand? A plow bottom that offers 1000 pounds of resistance on sand could offer 3000 pounds of resistance on clay. How deep are you intending to plow? Take a look at what your neighbors do providing they have similar conditions. Why are you plowing anyway? A 65 year old book comes to mind: "Plowman's Folly". An excellent read.

RandyB(MI) · Feb 25, 2012

Definately don't go by mfgrs literature! Back in early '60,s I remember getting Oliver brochures at dealership because that is what brand I was into then. The one for the 1800 said right on front cover "6 plow tractor" and the one for the 1900 said " mighty monarch or pull" "full 8 plow tractor"..yea right , what a farce. 1800 was around 80 hp and 1900 was 102 I believe. At least 2 btms more than either would pull. Love Olivers , but lets be real here. 1600=3-16,s , 1800 =4-14,s , 1900 = 5-16,s.RB

paul · Feb 25, 2012

Your soil is what matters, my hard clay, i had a 4-16 that an 85hp tractor struggled with, got a 4-20 now on a 140 hp tractor, some days you really know it's there....

One year I pulled the 4-20 with the 85 hp tractor and it went like a breeze tho - all depends on the ground you got.

Tough tight clay here.

--->Paul

paul · Feb 25, 2012

Oh, and front wheel assist doesn't really help wonders until you get to a big setup, as the front end typically gets pretty light when plowing. sure it helps and you can weight them, but it's not the big deal until you get to where you really are looking at a big 4wd...

--->Paul

730 virgil · Feb 25, 2012

what the others are saying about soil conditions is very true.
i once had a 1948 john deere a pulling a 3-14.
i was plowing in corn stalkes in 3rd grear pulling really nice i went up to 4 th gear which proved to be a bit too much.
after i quit for the day we got a hard pounding rain. when the soil got fit to plow again i would get into 2nd gear in places. in the same field same soil.

Ken Macfarlane · Feb 25, 2012

I plowed some junk that had gone wild for 5 or 6 years last year. 130 hp mfwd on a 3 bottom plow. In spots was in 10th of the 18 spd powershift only limited by how rough the ground was, in other spots in 3rd and had to engage the front axle as I was spinning out. Ground was very dry clay till with rocks.

Same plow on my 85 hp tractor after some rain was perfect.

Bill(Wis) · Feb 26, 2012

A neighboring field has a notoriuosly hard to plow red clay knoll. I remember way back when, the neighbor would have to hook two John Deere As together to plow through it (2-14s). Rest of the field plowed just fine with one A. That red clay grows excellent crops, just hard to plow.

Bret4207 · Feb 26, 2012

All depends on the ground. My ground is just real heavy and I figure to cut right in half, at least, any manufacturers recommendation. On my ground 40 to 55 hp tractors pull 2-10s or 12's. 3 12s simply stop a 55 hp 2 wd rig. 3-16 was all a 90 hp 4wd could handle. That's averaging the fields out, because you may do fine for 100 yards and then hit a 20 yard strip that's apparently made out of diamonds.

Always better to go a little smaller than too big.

Question about moldoard plowing

466dtrollingcoal

New User

SouthernFarmall

Member

Kow Farmer

Well-known Member

JayinNY

Well-known Member

[email protected]

Well-known Member

fixerupper

Well-known Member

Matt in TN

Member

DeltaRed

Well-known Member

Bill(Wis)

Well-known Member

RandyB(MI)

Well-known Member

paul

Well-known Member

paul

Well-known Member

730 virgil

Well-known Member

Ken Macfarlane

Well-known Member

Bill(Wis)

Well-known Member

Bret4207

Well-known Member

Similar threads