big plow

Hoofer B · Jan 19, 2017

Question. I ran across a two bottom pull type plow that was twice the size of a normal trailer plow we are all use to. It had huge moldboards on it. What would this type be called and what was it used for? Thanks. Bill

Russ from MN · Jan 19, 2017

It seems to me they used to be called a breaking plow, for breaking new ground, also possibly for making fire breaks.

Janicholson · Jan 19, 2017

Deep plowing, once common to refresh deep soils for farming. Sometimes banned for environmental reasons. some videos and stills show this to a wild level with multiple tracked tractors pulling single bottoms 6 or more feet deep. Jim
one possibility

sourgum · Jan 19, 2017

In years past in river bottoms that flooded sometimes sand would deposit on the soil surface after floodwater receded. Deep plowing was done on flooded areas to bury deposited sand layers and mix it in the topsoil and subsoil. Then have a better more equal mix of sand, silt and clay in the topsoil layer for plant growth and general farming, germination of planted seeds. There are some old video's on you tube of this.

Gene Dotson · Jan 20, 2017

Friend of mine in Minnesota had a plow like this. It was a 22 inch 2 bottom plow. It was used to plow newly cleared land of tree roots. Was very heavy with special points that cut and lifted the roots for clearing.

Gene

VADAVE · Jan 20, 2017

pardon my stupidity please. I do not understand why a wide plow (20 inch) would be used to break new ground or deep plow any ground. Please explain.
To me a really big plow simply requires lots more horsepower and for new ground or deep plowing you would want a narrow plow like maybe a chisel plow.

rrlund · Jan 20, 2017

We used to call them a brush plow. Brush and roots went through them better with them having more clearance.

550Doug · Jan 20, 2017

Here is a single furrow breaking plow that has it's own motor just to engage the plow. The furrow is 36 inches deep and it is being pulled by a D7 and a D8. This is demoed at the Florida Flywheelers show.

1206SWMO · Jan 20, 2017

You are correct...They are used to turn sand under after bad floods..

Goose · Jan 20, 2017

That's what I heard, that one use was to pull black subsoil back to the surface along the Missouri River after it flooded.

Also heard a D-8 would point its nose in the air pulling one.

4wdtom · Jan 20, 2017

I would call that "one BFP".

Janicholson · Jan 20, 2017

The purpose it to mix deep soil with surface soil. In some sols (not a misspelling) the composition of the soil at depth is superior to the top 10 inches. It is not to break up the hardpan, it is to rearrange much looser soil types (Sols). It is not a clay friendly device. jim

John Deere D · Jan 20, 2017

When my Grandfather was a young boy on the prairies he was to keep the water bucket full!

JMS/.MN · Jan 20, 2017

We could have used one, western Stearns county, where I grew up. Had low ground that was sandy with a thin layer of marl and clay a few feet under. We leveled off the county ditch bank, and crops were always better there than in the field, due to the mixed soil. There was a farm magazine article at the time about a plow in MI, pulled by cats, that would have been ideal. Late 50s.

notjustair · Jan 20, 2017

Call before you dig!

Frank 41 · Jan 20, 2017

I saw those in AZ in 1960 in the irrigated ground. I was told after so many years, the salt buildup had to be plowed under.

big plow

Hoofer B

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Russ from MN

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Janicholson

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sourgum

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Gene Dotson

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VADAVE

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rrlund

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550Doug

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1206SWMO

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Goose

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4wdtom

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Janicholson

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John Deere D

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JMS/.MN

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notjustair

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Frank 41

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