How big a moldboard plow?

[Anonymous-0]

I've got a MF1020 compact tractor (21 HP, 3 banger diesel, 4wd, new tractor/utility tires with fluid, Category I 3 point). I'd like to purchase a 3 point moldboard plow. Looking for advice on how big a moldboard plow I can pull through sod in moderate texture soil - How many bottoms of what size?

 

[Anonymous-0]

i would say at 21 horse a one bottom 18" or a two bottom 12" would be about all the tractor could handle.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The rule of thumb use to be around 1 inch of plow per horsepower for real farm tractors. 4wd may help that a little, but do you have ag tires to take advantage of the 4wd? Type of soil always has a lot to do with the size plow a tractor will pull also. I imagine you`d be best off sticking with a 1 bottom plow on a compact tractor.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Your tractor weight 2100 lbs , a mf 50 weight 3990, 2x12 is about it, may too much.

 

[Anonymous-0]

in my clay soils, you need 20 hp per 16" bottom.

A bottom is designed to go 1/2 as deep as it is wide. So a 2-12 bottom running at 6" deep might pull easier than a 1-18 bottom running 9" deep? Moving less dirt, not hitting the hard-pan?

Won't get cornstalks through a 2-12 tho. And breaking up the hardpan is a good thing....

Lots of trade-offs with plows.

--->Paul

 

[Anonymous-0]

The antique tractors from the 30's were rated 2-12" bottoms with HP in the 18-24 HP range.
If yor not sitting on an old clay nob, I think 2-12"would work fine. Larry Coltrin

 

[Anonymous-0]

All kinds of suggestions being made....but, forget a 2 bottom plow. It's not about whether you can drag the plow through the ground....but how well your tractor pulls the plow....you need sufficient speed to cover trash and 21 horses isn't much. My old Super A has a single 14" plow...if I recall this tractor is about 18 HP. Find yourself a single 14" or 16" plow and you'll be well served.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Have to add my two cents worth. I have a Super "A" about 20 hp. that pulls a 16 inch plow all day long in heavy clay no problem. I also have a compact diesel 3 cylinder about 20 hp. I purchased a older 1 bottom heavy duty fergeson 3 point plow (put a new plow point on) that can be adjusted from 12 to 16 inches. There are two major problems I experienced. Even though the tractor had plenty of horse power I could not get enough traction with turf tires. Bought ag tires, still not enough traction, had the tires loaded, much better after I adjusted the plow from a 16 to 12 inch cut. The second major problem I had was not being able to control the plow depth with the three point which caused major problems. I added a guage wheel to the plow to get consistent depth. Now it works pretty good but it was a long learning curve. Now granted I don't have a 4 wheel drive compact tractor so maybe you won't have the same traction problems. If you are intersted send me your e-mail I will send you some pictures of my compact with the plow on it.

[email protected]

 

[Anonymous-0]

I think if you have turf tires you won"t be able to pull anything. With AG tires a single 14". My father has the same sized JD compact, he uses a 54" tiller, works really well.

 

[Anonymous-0]

One thimg that has has not been brought up is "How much plowing do you have to do"??? If you are plowing is for a garden space or a limited acerage, a one bottom plow should be more than adequate for your needs...Overloading a tractor; no matter what size; is never a good idea..That little extra time that you may save using a larger implement could easily end up costing you a major repair bill. Not to ad that the tractor will be easier to handle if it is not overloaded or even loaded to max...And, If you don"t have fluid in the tires, stick with the smaller plow...

 

[Anonymous-0]

The difference is old farm tractors were rated with either belt/pto/drawbar horse power. A real life usable number. Most likely this new compact is 21 engine HP and the amount getting to the ground (drawbar HP) is a lot less, especially if it's a hydro.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I suppose that if you used tire chains on the turf tires, you might "get by"..
For plowing, you need tires that can really Hook-
Up..and then, they will be showing significant slippage..!!

Ron.