One or two bottom on 2305?

[D33r3 6r33N]

Forgive me if this is a repost. (I'm sure it is somewhere, I can't be the only tractor noob that has ever asked this question.)
Would you recommend a one or two bottom plow on a 2305? I haven't had the machine for that long so I haven't really have had chance to give it a good workout. I have talked to some and they have said that it will pull a two bottom with no problem. I have garden tractor with a one bottom and it is a real chore to get it to do anything. I understand they are two completly different machines. So I guess I'm jst asking for your opinion, thanks.

 

[thatguy]

IIRC - a one bottom is all the 2305 can handle.. BUT that also depends on your soil.. If you are in clay 1 bottom for sure.. If you have lighter soil then you may be able to do a 2 bottom..

Brian

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN Windy

Here are a few post's to look at:
Plowing with a 2305 - TractorByNet.com

Jd 2305 & Single mold board plow ! - TractorByNet.com

 

[sunnyside360]

Based on my experience with a little larger tractors, I'd go with a one bottom plow on a 2305.

 

[bigtiller]

Like "that guy" said, it all depends on your soil. I have the best luck with a single bottom 12 inch plow. If the ground gets hard and your tires do a lot of spinning then add all the weight you can to the front bumper and rear axle.

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

Thanks for all of the replies and info.

If I wanted to loosen the soil up before I ran a tiller would a plow be better than a middle buster or about the same?

Thanks,

 

[beenthere]

windy
What tires do you have on the 2305?
What is your soil like? Is the site old garden? old pasture?

 

[bigtiller]

If you already own a middle buster then use it if you want to. With a 2305 you really don't need to soften the ground but the extra seat time on the tractor is fun to get.

I like to moldboard plow in the fall and till in the spring.

 

[foggy1111]

So much depends on soil types.....but I have had good success in my soils (sandy loam) by just tilling without any other ground work. I have tried a sub soiler and a 2 bottom plow....but my tiller works without this prep almost as good as with it.

Sometimes discing before plowing will give me an indication of what to expect for rocks and will break up the surface a little....but I have had little problems by just going right to the tiller. (I also don't have much sod to contend with.)

For smaller gardens and such I would not plow prior to tilling....unless you have a mega sod situation to overcome...or are concerned with rocks and debris.

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

windy
What tires do you have on the 2305?
What is your soil like? Is the site old garden? old pasture?

I have both an old garden and a new plot that my wife wants to plant with flowers. We have lived here for about 7? years I've tried to mix a horse manure sawdust mix in every year with the troy built tiller.

The new plot I haven't done anything with. It used to be farm ground until we bought that acre a few years ago. The grass that I planted there really hasn't taken off, it is just (good) western Ohio clay.

The tractor tires are R4s.

 

[beenthere]

I have both an old garden and a new plot that my wife wants to plant with flowers. We have lived here for about 7? years I've tried to mix a horse manure sawdust mix in every year with the troy built tiller.

The new plot I haven't done anything with. It used to be farm ground until we bought that acre a few years ago. The grass that I planted there really hasn't taken off, it is just (good) western Ohio clay.

The tractor tires are R4s.

The R-4's won't run in the furrow very well (unless they are quite narrow) and will not make for good plowing.
Plus the plowing traction needed is not there with R-4's.

I'd forego the plow and run the middlebuster followed by the rototiller.

If you had R-1's that might be different.

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

-beenthere,
Thanks for your insight I appreciate it. I also appreciate the how much easier on the wallet a middle buster is compaired to a single bottom. Hard to find used in West Central Ohio. Either everone likes what they have or they all have bigger equipment.
Thanks again,
Windy_Hill37

 

[beenthere]

windy
Maybe keep an eye out on CL (craigs) or local auctions for s ripper or middle buster.

I have a real nice Dearborn single bottom plow that worked great when I had a Deere 420 2-cyl with Ag tires.
Now I have a Deere 4300 with R-4's and can't use the single bottom plow. Disappointing, as I like plowing the ground first. Not worth getting a pair of R-1's just to be able to use the plow. Have friends who borrow it, so am not selling it.

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

I've been looking on CL since I bought the machine a couple of months ago. I did find one middle buster the guy wanted $100 for but it's a two hour round trip. Have to keep looking looking I guess.
-windy_hill37

 

[FastCote]

Middle Buster at TSC for $138:

CountyLine Middle Buster - 2128228 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

I saw that too. Think I'm going to stop by tomarrow and see if they have it in stock. I'll let you know how it works out.
-Windy_Hill37

 

[bp fick]

Middlebuster. I turned this virgin 1/3 acre with one last fall. Came back in a two weeks and busted it again. 4 wheel drive. Don't have Ag tires and traction was not an issue unless I sank the plow too deep. Repeat as needed.
I disked, and then plowed again, trying to establish furrows or raised rows.

For the price, the middlebuster is just about the slickest tool in the shed. TSC also has the XB model which fits a subcut tractor better. The "yellow" model was too tall for the Kubota BX and would have made transport difficult. YMMV.

 

[beenthere]

"virgin" ????

Might be interesting to hear a definition of how that land is considered "virgin"
(without getting off-color ). Is it a matter of years since last worked up?

Nice job with the middlebuster. The work well for finding and rolling out big rocks too.

 

[bp fick]

"virgin" ????

Might be interesting to hear a definition of how that land is considered "virgin"
(without getting off-color ). Is it a matter of years since last worked up?

Nice job with the middlebuster. The work well for finding and rolling out big rocks too.

Never been turned since time began. Forested of virgin timber in the 1890's, then cleared again of second growth in the 1980's.

 

[beenthere]

When it was cleared of trees, grubbed, smoothed and flattened like it is, seems that would mean "been turned since time began". But I won't argue the point. Just was curious.