3 or 4 bottom

[Jeff Elsner]

I have a super 88 diesel and would love to get a plow for it. Will it pull a 4 bottom plow very well or should I try and get a 3 bottom? I used a ford workmaster 641 with a 2 bottom 3 point plow and it did pretty well. So my thinking is my tractor should be able to pull a 4 bottom pretty well, or am I just wishful thinking.

 

[rrlund]

Depends some on soil type,but I think you're dreaming. My uncle had a straight 88 diesel and pulled 2x16s with it. Most pulled 3x14s around here.

 

[chucksoliver77]

jeff, your 88 will probably pull a 4 bottom, but it will pull 3-14s really good and it will be a lot easier on the old girl, so give her a break and go for the 3 bottom plow. with the 3-14s you won't be the slow guy of the bunch with somebody always pushing your butt across the field . try to find an oliver plow, they pull easier and do a better job. good luck, chuck

 

[rustyplow]

We had 2 88's And 3 plows( jds but don't tell anybody) a 2, a 3, and a 4 bottom. What you can pull depends on the soil, the moisture and the lay of the land. ( read hills). You would most likly be better off with a 3 bottom. Oliver 4240 or 4340 would be a good match.

 

[jordan hackman]

soil conditions is the main thing. the tractor was advertised as a 4 bottom tractor when it came off the assembly line, but its been awhile since then so depending on how well the tractor is running a 3 bottom would be the better choice, also 3-16 would be great, really won't be any need to have a 3-14.

 

[Jeff Elsner]

Thank you for all the info. I will look for a 5 or 6 bottom for sure. Just kidding!!
I will look for a 3 bottom oliver plow for sure.

 

[Bevan]

Plow Calculation for HP.

Force required to pull a plow depends on the size of the plow, working depth and soil conditions. Soil conditions include soil type, and ground cover or stubble type. It will also depend some on operating speed. Approximate force required in pounds per square inch at 2 mph in normal conditions are:
sandy soil 2.5
corn stubble 3
wheat stubble 4
blue grass sod 6
june grass sod 6
clover sod 7
clay soil 8
prairie sod 15
virgin soil 15
gumbo 20
For example, plowing clay soil with a 12" bottom 6" deep will require 8x12x6 = 576 pounds of force. Running faster will push these numbers up some amount.

Fmall Cub example.
Turning this around the other way, take the same 576 pounds of force and divide that up with a 16" bottom plowing the same 6 inches deep and you get a limit of (576/6)/16 = 6 pounds per square inch. Plowing conditions that come in at or below that number are sand, stubble and the easier sods. You would be limited to about a 4.5 inch depth in clay soil to stay within the same limit.

Keep in mind that actual field conditions are usually some mixture of the above categories and the numbers are just guidelines. There isn't one magical limit where the tractor goes from working to not able to do it. The best results are usually obtained by not pushing limits.

Super 88 has 6200 lbs of pull power.

 

[Joewstreb]

I have 1955 super88 Diesel and i pull a 3-16 plow and can sink it in atleast 6 to 8 inches and in virgin ground can pull it no problem if i can get the traction. Mine is geared low so i pull it in 2nd gear.

 

[MCL]

Here is a picture (I hope)of my son on my dad's Super 88 diesel at a plow day last fall. That's a 3-14 Oliver plow behind it. Was a nice setup. You don't want to go too big and have to fight it.