Size bottom plow

[clemsonfor]

What size are people using that works. I live in upstate SC so were talking hard packed red clay in most areas, more sany clay in others. What size should i be able to pull in this type soil with my ym2000? I was thinking a single 14 but now im thinking maybe only a 12?

 

[sweettractors]

I don't think you will notice much difference in how a 12 or 14 inch pulls. Ken Sweet

 

[deepNdirt]

I've not used a "Bottom Plow" i'm interested in knowing how it will do with the red clay?
I do use an all-purpose 5 shank plow, does a fair job on this Ga red clay, although I have to get to the clay at just the right amount of moisture in it, otherwise too dry makes it difficult to break through and too wet has the plows digging up what I call brick clods, in either case I drag the harrows back over to help cut up the clay, One day I plan to get a rotary tiller for my Yanmar

 

[james3838]

Clemson,
I have a double 12 that I use behind my 1920 New Holland over in our Newberry County red clay. I works great if you have a little moisture in the ground.

 

[clemsonfor]

I've not used a "Bottom Plow" i'm interested in knowing how it will do with the red clay?
I do use an all-purpose 5 shank plow, does a fair job on this Ga red clay, although I have to get to the clay at just the right amount of moisture in it, otherwise too dry makes it difficult to break through and too wet has the plows digging up what I call brick clods, in either case I drag the harrows back over to help cut up the clay, One day I plan to get a rotary tiller for my Yanmar

I have been looking for a spike tooth/ spring tooth/ chiesel plow, whatever your prefered name for a while. Its hard to find one in a smaller size or really anysize whatso ever. I heard that they work well. I should have bought the one from the guy who i bought my disk harrow from, it was to big so i did not buy it. I could have flipped it he only wanted $150 for it. The more i though about it (it was 7 feet) i thought i should have bought it and taken like 3 or 4 teeth off each side and used it that way, most of what i do is in the open so it being that much wider than the tractor would not be a big deal.

I have a 4.5 foot wide 12 disk harrow, but as we all know you need about 300lbs or more to make it cut marginially in stuff that was not disked last year and if it has been 4 or more forget it you will make 6 passes to get it half decent. I am looking for a plow to plow some areas first then be able to maintain them with my disk.

 

[clemsonfor]

I don't think you will notice much difference in how a 12 or 14 inch pulls. Ken Sweet

Whats your opinion on what you think the yanmar will pull? I know you said not much difference in the 12 and 14 but do you think it will pull these both fine in sod that has not been turned in years, say 6-15 years?

 

[sweettractors]

Whats your opinion on what you think the yanmar will pull? I know you said not much difference in the 12 and 14 but do you think it will pull these both fine in sod that has not been turned in years, say 6-15 years?

The only difference in a 12 and 14 inch is usually the point length. Moldboards usually the same. IMHO, I would go with a roto tiller and eliminate the need for a plow and a disc harrow. When you get that turned over with a plow, it is going to be pretty rough. Ken Sweet

 

[KV60]

Clemson,

I also live in upstate SC. I actually sold my disk harrow after using a moldboard plow and then a 52" tiller. The disk tended to "cup" the garden making the center lower than the sides.

 

[careyo63]

IMO the RS1400 for your YM 2000 is fantastic. There a few members thats been useing them. I have alot of clay mix also with a secound pass in 2nd gear PTO If its dry will just about turn it to powder. :thumbsup:

Carey

 

[clemsonfor]

IMO the RS1400 for your YM 2000 is fantastic. There a few members thats been useing them. I have alot of clay mix also with a secound pass in 2nd gear PTO If its dry will just about turn it to powder. :thumbsup:

Carey

i have heard folks say to much use and you will wear those tillers out, and if you can find tines there not hardened and there expensive. I know your in the GA red clay, and i belive that it will work if you say it does. Ive looked and they seem to still bring 300-400 around here on the ones you find and with a set of tines upward of $200 in thinking that could get expensive esp if bearing or gears tear up. Bottom plows have been around a long time and are cheap. Yes i have to then do a couple passes with the disk to level and smooth it but this is for deer not my garden. And like i said my disk harrow just rides on top of the ground unless it has been broken recently. I need to try after some good rain not just the showers we have gotten befor i have messed with it i guess.

 

[rmully]

i have heard folks say to much use and you will wear those tillers out, and if you can find tines there not hardened and there expensive. I know your in the GA red clay, and i belive that it will work if you say it does. Ive looked and they seem to still bring 300-400 around here on the ones you find and with a set of tines upward of $200 in thinking that could get expensive esp if bearing or gears tear up. Bottom plows have been around a long time and are cheap. Yes i have to then do a couple passes with the disk to level and smooth it but this is for deer not my garden. And like i said my disk harrow just rides on top of the ground unless it has been broken recently. I need to try after some good rain not just the showers we have gotten befor i have messed with it i guess.

A tiller will make short work of your job ...tines are not expensive $10 ea and how many are you going to break?? Bottom plows will tear up the earth but on big clumps then you need to use some form of harrow after tillage. IMO tilling is the best way to go. Today I tiller a 20 X 100 food plot( this ground has not been touched for 50+ years NC red clay) added mushroom compost, 400 lbs of lime and 5 large bags of peat and on top of all this about 100 lbs of wood ash from a barn took down and burned. This soil is so smooth you could grow 12' carrots in it. I am getting ready for a fall/winter garden and want the soil right by fall.

 

[sweettractors]

I agree the tiller is the best way to go. Only 1 implement to maintain and probably cheaper than a plow and a disc harrow. Our 48 inch is $1495 and replacement tines at $6.95 each. Ken Sweet

 

[careyo63]

RMully I guess it's needless to ask then if you got your Bearing in and squared away.
Clemsonfor. Don't agree with who ever told you that they wear out easily. not much to them and well built he just had problems from neglect of the previous owner he had to straighten out. The non-drive side Tine shaft bearing has been well posted on here. Now there is a sealed bearing available that takes care of the problem.

Carey

 

[clemsonfor]

I agree the tiller is the best way to go. Only 1 implement to maintain and probably cheaper than a plow and a disc harrow. Our 48 inch is $1495 and replacement tines at $6.95 each. Ken Sweet

Sweet and Mully. I already own the disk harrow! Its a sunk cost cannot use it in figuring future expenditures. So the only think i lack is a plow or a tiller. Even at Spalding tractor prices of like $500 for a 48" or whatever size yanmar tiller thats a lot of money. Sweet thanks for the offer bit i dont think i could ever pay $1500 on a tiller there expensive used still, but a little of 50% is not uncommon for a used tiller around here (your king kutter or other mid grade brands).

The ground being roung after the plow would not be a problem as i HAVE the DISK HARROW sitting on the farm already that i would pass over once or twice. Again this is for deer so im not looking for a dead smooth fluffy seedbed just want something that is deeper than the 2-3 inches that a compact tractor and disk gets on this hard packed ground with grass over it.

Thanks for the opinions on this. If i see a tiller for $300 i probably will buy it, but when i can buy a bottom plow all day long for $150 i think this monetarily makes more sense. Yea i will spend more seat time, but is that a bad thing?

 

[sweettractors]

Sweet and Mully. I already own the disk harrow! Its a sunk cost cannot use it in figuring future expenditures. So the only think i lack is a plow or a tiller. Even at Spalding tractor prices of like $500 for a 48" or whatever size yanmar tiller thats a lot of money. Sweet thanks for the offer bit i dont think i could ever pay $1500 on a tiller there expensive used still, but a little of 50% is not uncommon for a used tiller around here (your king kutter or other mid grade brands).

The ground being roung after the plow would not be a problem as i HAVE the DISK HARROW sitting on the farm already that i would pass over once or twice. Again this is for deer so im not looking for a dead smooth fluffy seedbed just want something that is deeper than the 2-3 inches that a compact tractor and disk gets on this hard packed ground with grass over it.

Thanks for the opinions on this. If i see a tiller for $300 i probably will buy it, but when i can buy a bottom plow all day long for $150 i think this monetarily makes more sense. Yea i will spend more seat time, but is that a bad thing?

Hey man, with the economy like it is today, if I already had the disc and could buy a plow for $150, that would be a no brainer for me. Go for it! Ken Sweet

 

[careyo63]

A Plow and a Mule thats the way it was. I can even remember my Grand Father getting "Trigger" out and Hitching him up. I agree Seat Time ain't all that bad.:laughing:

Carey

 

[clemsonfor]

I would love a brand new shiny tiller, but at $1500 thats a little pricy for me, heck i know where i can get another yanmar disk harrow and bushhog for just another grand over that! Trying to get the brother in law to buy that one, so we can work 2 tractors to get things done in the big areas.

 

[careyo63]

5ft Yanmar Tiller 3pt

Clemson See if you can make this guy a offer. He will have to come off the asking price big time No Gauge wheels which I don't have or use and another big deduction for painting it to match his Kubota that it's to big for he says.
I don't think I would have said that one.:laughing::laughing: 600 tops IMO

Carey

 

[sweettractors]

5ft Yanmar Tiller 3pt

Clemson See if you can make this guy a offer. He will have to come off the asking price big time No Gauge wheels which I don't have or use and another big deduction for painting it to match his Kubota that it's to big for he says.
I don't think I would have said that one.:laughing::laughing: 600 tops IMO

Carey

That is way too high for that tiller. If the tines are wore out, you could spend a fortune redoing that part alone. Ken Sweet

 

[deepNdirt]

I would love a brand new shiny tiller, but at $1500 thats a little pricy for me, heck i know where i can get another yanmar disk harrow and bushhog for just another grand over that! Trying to get the brother in law to buy that one, so we can work 2 tractors to get things done in the big areas.

Clemsonfor, I know what ya mean these pto tillers do get up in cost, I've missed out on 2 deals at the local salvage/scrap yard,things like this are "turning up" all the time..pun intended although each time I find one someone else has already purchased it and has it on hold to pick up, ...
I think if I figured on the weight being around 350 lbs. @ 38cents pnd would come to 133.00 +tx from what I can tell of the condition maybe bearin's & newe tines, would ad to the cost.... but still be cheaper then the ones I have found for sale in local ads, when I get mine I'll keep an eye out for you the next one if your interested? although would be some travel time and gas expense for you as well,