Plows

[Woodrow1]

Hi all, Im new to this farm/tactor stuff. I want to plow my field and plant hay for my horses. I have 52 acres and I want to plow maybe 11 to 15 of it. I am going to buy a tractor and a plow. I decided on a New Holland for the tractor. How do you match up what size plow to the tractor size. What size would you recommend as far as the tractor and plow. Sorry if I sound like I dont know what Im talking about because I dont. I dont trust the dealers because they will most likely sell me something I dont need.

 

[Hugh MacKay]

Woodrow: Since your going NH, newer type tractor, and if it's 4 wheel drive traction will not be the limiting factor. Horsepower will and with sandy loam to loam soils you can count on 12 to 15 hp per bottom. Heavy clay could go high as 25 hp per bottom. I'd be tempted to let the latter grow up in trees.

 

[Woodrow1]

Thanks for the reply I was thinking about going with a 45 to 50 hp tractor 4x4. The portion I am thinking about plowing was part of a farmers corn crop field so I would say the soil is rather soft. Not a lot of clay like other parts of my fields. I live outside of cleveland oh and most of my property is hard as heck clay

 

[evielboweviel]

3-16 mounted plow
10 foot disk
Ron

 

[Anonymous-0]

You might want to use something other than a plow. A good disc or perhaps a good rototiller on the 3 pt. The rototiller would be good if you put in a riding pen as well. You can keep the ground worked up soft. A harrow would work good for leveling it real smooth. Several years ago I rototilled a riding pen for a bigger stable because someone else had tried to cultivate it and left big chunks. A rototiller is good in tighter spaces as well. Dave

 

[Joe Pro]

Outside Cleveland where?

 

[RodinNS]

MAbey I stand to be surprised.... but I think 8 feet would be the max on the disc with a Boomer Utility. 3/14's would also be a lot of plow, never mind 3/16's. Those ISM engines have to scream to make power and have very little torque rise... so don't expect the workd of then on drawbar work.

Rod

 

[georgeky]

Just exactly. No 40 HP tractor of today will handle 3X16 plow if it is in the ground. 10 foot disk can be a load as well.

 

[Woodrow1]

Small town called Hiram

 

[RossIL]

I'd say get a 3pt 2-14" Ford plow. They're common, parts are available, they resell well enough and you'll have more than enough tractor to pull the plow as fast and deep as you want. I don't know about other areas but around me a 3pt 3 btm plow is kind of a rare bird and even rarer at sales.
That's my opinion.
Ross

 

[kyplowboy]

What George said.

I pull a 3X16 with a 69hp and turning a 3 acre tobacco patch is the hardest it get pulled all year long.

 

[kyplowboy]

Don't know the particulars of what you are wanting to do here but I will take this in a different directon here. If it was in corn it can't be too rough. Go to your local USDA office. Some of them have 10 or 7 foot no-till drills they will rent for about $6/acre, or the nice folks there will tell you where you can rent one. You want alfalfa, no till it and spray it in the spring with post to kill the grass. You want grass, notill it and spray it with 2-4D in the spring to kill the broadleafs. For the size tractor you are talk'n it would take several days to plow 15 acres with a turning plow. (2X12 and go slow or 3X14 and go real slow.) Rent the drill and watch the aution sale bills and road sides for a small plow to turn your garden with.

Good luck.
Dave

 

[georgeky]

I have seen 4 X 16's make the 4440 I use to have moan here in this fescue sod. Pulled 6 with it in corn stubble, but no way in sod.

 

[kyplowboy]

I have a 3X16 JD plow and in heavy sod it will keep the front tires of my 6700 off the ground more than on, with 4 suitcases on the front. Does a little better in corn or bean stuble but still all the old girl wants.

Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

Ross, I have a Ford 3x14, 3pt. It is in very good shape. Has this tire that rolls on the land side supposed to keep the plow more level. Anyway, I would sell it.

 

[Woodrow1]

I would like to plant alfalfa but i figured i would have to plow the field plus the field is rough as heck. I would like to smooth it out. I want to replace my tractor because I have a 1938 david brown but im not sure what size tractor i should get. I want one that is not over kill but one that i can do alittle plowing with and run a good size bailer because mine is also old and im tireed of fixing it.

 

[Woodrow1]

Guys, I cant thank you all enough for taking the time to answer my questions. But I think from what information you'all said I should just pay a local farmer to plow it for me. Because unless I go with a huge tractor I will either be plowing all summer with my little 40 to 50 horse tractor with a small plow or spending really big money on a huge tractor. I would not have a need for it after the fact. Even though I would love a huge tractor but I dont think the old lady would go for it. Because I would definetly want to store it the barn and all 20 horses would be out of a place to sleep. Thanks again all!!