Tiller Need Advise on Plow Size

[whiplashn]

Our hunting camp just purchased a JD 5055E (around 52HP - 4wd, diesel). We've been using an old JD trailer 2 bot plow with a 41 H but now we'd like to get a used 3pt plow but have varying recommendations on what size.

The Ford 101 is our first choice with trips (we have lots of rocks) Field are a bit soddy but we have a sprayer.

I know it will easily pull a 2 bottom. What I'd like to know is will it handle a 3 bottom 16".

I have loaded tires and 4WD so traction shouldn't be a problem. Our fields are gently sloped and like I said a bit rocky and thick sod but spraying in the fall should cut down on that.

So, does anyone have an answer on the 2 bot vs the 3 bot?

 

[sweettractors]

Not all, but most, 3 bottoms are going to be catagory 2. Check to be sure you can hook to a plow before you buy. Ken Sweet

 

[whiplashn]

I've checked every plow that I've looked at and everyone is CAT 1. I prefer CAT 2 but I can't find one. My tractor can handle both CATs.

All I really need to know is given the scenario that I described in my initial inquiry is if I can go up to a 3 bottom plow. Can my 52 HP tractor handle it with ease. I don't want to have to struggle with it. I've been doing that too long with my 41 H

 

[sweettractors]

The old saying is: If you have 4x4, then add 10 hp to what the tractor can do with a implement. That should put you about where you need to be with a 3-14 or 3-16 plow. Ken Sweet

 

[gwdixon]

The old saying is: If you have 4x4, then add 10 hp to what the tractor can do with a implement. That should put you about where you need to be with a 3-14 or 3-16 plow. Ken Sweet

Sweet Tractors should know so Ken's advice is probably very accurate.

I have heard that about 20 - 30 HP per bottom, depending on soil, is a good measurement.

I have a 3-14 Ford 101 plow modified to use Cat 2. My 70 HP Kubota M7040 handles it fairly well with loaded R1s in 4WD with weight on the front. Don't know if I'd go with much less in the soil here that is rocky and some of which hasn't been plowed in 30 years.

As mentioned, you would be on the edge of being able to use a 3-16.

 

[whiplashn]

Well I've heard that you can gauge it by figuring 15 hp per bottom or 1hp per inch.

So a 3 bottom 16" by those standards is 45 or 48.

I don't want to be struggling if 3 bottom is too close to maximum.

thanks for your advise

 

[rjkobbeman]

Sweet Tractors should know so Ken's advice is probably very accurate.

I have heard that about 20 - 30 HP per bottom, depending on soil, is a good measurement.

I have a 3-14 Ford 101 plow modified to use Cat 2. My 70 HP Kubota M7040 handles it fairly well with loaded R1s in 4WD with weight on the front. Don't know if I'd go with much less in the soil here that is rocky and some of which hasn't been plowed in 30 years.

As mentioned, you would be on the edge of being able to use a 3-16.

WOW! This is where I am amazed at farming. Saying your 70 HP M7040 handled that pictured "cutesy three thingy plow" (my words, not yours) "fairly well" really opens my eyes on how much power it takes for ground engaging implements.

Before being educated on this stuff, I would have thought that 3 bottom would have been used on a B series!

 

[sweettractors]

Sweet Tractors should know so Ken's advice is probably very accurate.

I have heard that about 20 - 30 HP per bottom, depending on soil, is a good measurement.

I have a 3-14 Ford 101 plow modified to use Cat 2. My 70 HP Kubota M7040 handles it fairly well with loaded R1s in 4WD with weight on the front. Don't know if I'd go with much less in the soil here that is rocky and some of which hasn't been plowed in 30 years.

As mentioned, you would be on the edge of being able to use a 3-16.

That is a nice looking plow. Like the way you built up the landslides. What happened to the orignial cat 1 crossbar. Ken Sweet

 

[gwdixon]

The Cat 1 crossbar was removed. The adjustment was not perceived to be needed and it runs just fine with the permanent adjustment afforded by the reinforced drawbar mounted.

The Cat 1 mount was not long enough on the left side to fit tractor's Cat 2 ball with a bushing. My choices were to mill the crossbar so the ball/bushing would fit, cut off the Cat 1 pin and weld on a Cat 2 lift pin, or simply remove the crossbar and mount a Cat 2 drawbar which is the solution seen in the photo.

The right side lift pin can be just replaced with a Cat 2 pin but the left side would still be an issue. The left side could have been secured with a chain or Come-A-Long but it was decided to do a full make-over.

The welding was done with the thought of it being able to be cut off and the original set-up restored if that is wanted by a next owner.

The landslides were built up with Stoody tungsten hard face so they should last a while.

 

[sweettractors]

That pin shoulder can be ground back 1/8 or so with a angle grinder and then slide the cat 1 to cat 2 bushing over and you are all set. If your current setup is working fine, i wouldn't mess with it. Neat job. Ken Sweet

 

[Verticaltrx]

I don't think you will be able to handle a 3-16" bottom plow very easily. We pull a 3-16" plow with a JD 2550 (65hp PTO and much heavier than a 5055 E) and at times its all that tractor will handle. It also requires a full set (1100lbs) of suitcase weights to keep the front end on the ground. On a tractor the size of yours I would look for either a 2 bottom 14" or 16" plow, or at most a lighter 3 bottom 14" plow.

 

[ThrowinDirt]

I'd stick with a 2 bottom. We just got a 2-16" & are pulling it with a 4x4 57 horse in stiff clay. It's everything that tractor can handle.

 

[Ford850]

My soil gives my DX55 a workout at times, using a ford 101 14" 2 bottom. You'll probably find a 3 bottom easier though, and for about the same money as a 2 bottom. I bought a 3 bottom and re-assembled it as a 2 bottom. Works great.

 

[wolc123]

I would also recommend a 2-bottom. Since you are using it at your hunting camp, I am guessing that most of your work will be done on weekends, etc when you get down there, and that you are probably doing food plots, etc of 5 acres or less in size. Moisture content in the soil is important when plowing and without question you have plenty of tractor for a 3-bottom when it is just right. You will struggle when it is too wet or too dry however. A 2-bottom on that 4wd tractor will let you get the job done almost regardless of soil conditions. I use a 2-bottom on a similar sized 4wd tractor for smaller plots and it will pull it right thru mud holes with standing water. It is kind of cool to watch the wake thrown off of the plow as you pull it thru the water. If I waited for all those mud holes on my swampy bottom-land farm to dry completely each spring, I could use a 3-bottom on that tractor, but the planting would not get done until a month or so later, and that would severely reduce crop yield. The only reason I see for a 3-bottom is if you are working lots of acreage and dont have to worry much about less than ideal soil moisture content. The smaller plow will also let you run at higher speed, and mosts plows roll the soil over much better when pulled at a good clip.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

WOW! This is where I am amazed at farming. Saying your 70 HP M7040 handled that pictured "cutesy three thingy plow" (my words, not yours) "fairly well" really opens my eyes on how much power it takes for ground engaging implements.

What it takes to pull a plow is TOTALLY dependant on your soil type and condition.

According to the posts here, the 1954 NAA I've been plowing pastures with won't pull the 3 bottom Ford plow I use

It's a good thing I didn't know that before, or I could never have gotten them planted LOL

 

[Verticaltrx]

What it takes to pull a plow is TOTALLY dependant on your soil type and condition.

According to the posts here, the 1954 NAA I've been plowing pastures with won't pull the 3 bottom Ford plow I use

It's a good thing I didn't know that before, or I could never have gotten them planted LOL

I pull a 2-14" trip bottom plow with my NAA and it does well, I don't think I would like any more on it for what I do. My comments on the 3-16" plow we pull (JD 1600) are based on it being a heavy, large frame, spring reset plow, often breaking new ground that has remained fallow for 20+ years. Heavy deep plowing to turn under years worth of growth, small stumps, etc takes a lot more power then plowing loam 6" deep. For all around usefulness I still stand by my recommendation of a 2 bottom plow to the OP.

 

[grnspot110]

What it takes to pull a plow is TOTALLY dependant on your soil type and condition.

According to the posts here, the 1954 NAA I've been plowing pastures with won't pull the 3 bottom Ford plow I use

It's a good thing I didn't know that before, or I could never have gotten them planted LOL

I agree on the soil type & condition!

I guess I'm too old, but what happened too HP ratings? I grew up in the Midwest using a 4-16" pull plow, 8" deep with a JD 720D (58 HP) in 4th gear in most conditions. Later a 4-14" 3-pt on the same tractor & a 2-14", 3-pt on my JD 520 (34 HP), simply because 14" 3-pts were what I could find!

In one case, at a plow day, I went to another area of the feild that was "gumbo" (a very sticky soil in this area), just so I could "work" the 720, the better ground wasn't even warming up the tractor!

Seems like from the above posts, the newer tractors are rated for more than they can handle! ~~ grnspot110

 

[sweettractors]

Quote Seems like from the above posts, the newer tractors are rated for more than they can handle! ~~ grnspot110 Quote

These newer tractors don't have the weight or the larger tire diameter that your tractors had. That makes all the difference. Ken Sweet

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I pull a 2-14" trip bottom plow with my NAA and it does well, I don't think I would like any more on it for what I do.

Given your location I'm guessing you have more clay to deal with than I do.
I'm only 50 miles from the ocean, so here it's mostly sandy loam and light clay

 

[grnspot110]

Quote Seems like from the above posts, the newer tractors are rated for more than they can handle! ~~ grnspot110 Quote

These newer tractors don't have the weight or the larger tire diameter that your tractors had. That makes all the difference. Ken Sweet

Makes sense!

That's part of the reason I went with the gear drive (790) over a hydrostat, I'm "old school" on tire size, seems like all the JD hydros have shorter rear tires. I just bought it in late April, so I haven't had time to build a plow yet. I have 14" JD plow bottom off an old #810, just need to make a frame for it. ~~ grnspot110