tractorski
Silver Member
I have a MF 1652 with a shuttle shift, will it work?
Is my tractor big enough for a 3 bottom plow?
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Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
I would think it would be plenty enough to pull a 3 bottom plow under normal conditions. The size and depth you are plowing would also be a factor.
I pull a single bottom plow 6 inches deep in sand loamy soil that hasn't been plowed for over 70 years doing 6mph on my Massey 1020 and it pulls it like nothing is even there.
I would think it would be plenty enough to pull a 3 bottom plow under normal conditions. The size and depth you are plowing would also be a factor.
I pull a single bottom plow 6 inches deep in sand loamy soil that hasn't been plowed for over 70 years doing 6mph on my Massey 1020 and it pulls it like nothing is even there.
vjcoppola
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Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
I'm not sure how big your 3 bottom plow is but plowing speed is an important factor. It's alot better to plow fast, it will turn over faster and break and you will get better coverage too.
I've been pulling two 14s with a Ford 2000, probably aroud 35 HP, for 32 years. It does a good job but wet spots and uphills are a challange, sometimes I have to go down to 1st gear and I have to play with the depth alot. This year a bought a 5010 Mahindra, 5O HP, about the same as your Massey. I can go much faster, never have to gear down or fiddle with the depth. I think it could pull a third plow but it does a great job with the two 14s and I wonder if there would be anything gained. Maybe two 16s would be best.
Not a direct answer but I hope it helps.
I'm not sure how big your 3 bottom plow is but plowing speed is an important factor. It's alot better to plow fast, it will turn over faster and break and you will get better coverage too.
I've been pulling two 14s with a Ford 2000, probably aroud 35 HP, for 32 years. It does a good job but wet spots and uphills are a challange, sometimes I have to go down to 1st gear and I have to play with the depth alot. This year a bought a 5010 Mahindra, 5O HP, about the same as your Massey. I can go much faster, never have to gear down or fiddle with the depth. I think it could pull a third plow but it does a great job with the two 14s and I wonder if there would be anything gained. Maybe two 16s would be best.
Not a direct answer but I hope it helps.
knightrider955
Silver Member
Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
I pull 3 14's with my 60 hp tractor with no problems. I wouldnt think you have anything to worry about.
I pull 3 14's with my 60 hp tractor with no problems. I wouldnt think you have anything to worry about.
Mark Page
Platinum Member
Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
I've pulled a 14" 2 bottom many times with a 48hp and 35 hp MF without a problem.
I don't think a 3 bottom would make much difference.
JJ is right pull it fast and you'll get a better job. I use 2nd gear high range at 2000 RPM. Be sure to use your draft control for an even job. Are your shares sharp?
My problem is I love to watch the moldboard roll the dirt over and I don't pay enough attention to where I'm going.
I've pulled a 14" 2 bottom many times with a 48hp and 35 hp MF without a problem.
I don't think a 3 bottom would make much difference.
JJ is right pull it fast and you'll get a better job. I use 2nd gear high range at 2000 RPM. Be sure to use your draft control for an even job. Are your shares sharp?
My problem is I love to watch the moldboard roll the dirt over and I don't pay enough attention to where I'm going.
Robert_in_NY
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Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
I don't know how many hp your massey has (don't follow masseys current offerings) but I pull a 3-14 with my TN65 which is 52 engine hp (give or take a horse or two). It pulls it through my soils fine as long as its not too wet to get any traction. My soils range from hard gravel ground to sandy loam to clay. The hard gravel is an issue if it gets dry. There are spots where it is just hard to dig in to start so I need to plow it with the proper moisture.
I know I wouldn't be able to pull a 4-14 though with any efficiency. One other item would be what type of tires you have. If you have R-4s then it may cost you some traction. Also if their wider then the plow bottom then you will find the in furror rear tire will be riding up on the turned over sod. So if you have very wide tires you may want to look for a wider bottom plow but possibly drop to a 2 bottom.
I don't know how many hp your massey has (don't follow masseys current offerings) but I pull a 3-14 with my TN65 which is 52 engine hp (give or take a horse or two). It pulls it through my soils fine as long as its not too wet to get any traction. My soils range from hard gravel ground to sandy loam to clay. The hard gravel is an issue if it gets dry. There are spots where it is just hard to dig in to start so I need to plow it with the proper moisture.
I know I wouldn't be able to pull a 4-14 though with any efficiency. One other item would be what type of tires you have. If you have R-4s then it may cost you some traction. Also if their wider then the plow bottom then you will find the in furror rear tire will be riding up on the turned over sod. So if you have very wide tires you may want to look for a wider bottom plow but possibly drop to a 2 bottom.
slowzuki
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Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
The 1652 is a large frame compact right? 3 bottoms unless its 12" bottoms is too much for here. I pull a 2 bottom 16" Overum which is an easy pulling euro bottom and it is about right for my 50 hp Kubota cut that weighs about the same as yours. I keep the loader on, it in 4wd and the rears are loaded to pull it.
I was plowing with a Kneverland 3x16 last summer with a 120 hp 4wd Ford/NH 8630 with a full rack of front weight and if you took the 4wd off she would stop dead. Not ideal ground I was plowing though. I bought the plow and will be running it on my 100 hp MF but I won't be able to go as fast.
The 1652 is a large frame compact right? 3 bottoms unless its 12" bottoms is too much for here. I pull a 2 bottom 16" Overum which is an easy pulling euro bottom and it is about right for my 50 hp Kubota cut that weighs about the same as yours. I keep the loader on, it in 4wd and the rears are loaded to pull it.
I was plowing with a Kneverland 3x16 last summer with a 120 hp 4wd Ford/NH 8630 with a full rack of front weight and if you took the 4wd off she would stop dead. Not ideal ground I was plowing though. I bought the plow and will be running it on my 100 hp MF but I won't be able to go as fast.
tessiers
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Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
Gonna come down to weight, most tractors run out of traction before power. Fill the bucket with dirt, load the rear tires and try it out. I don't know when they stopped testing for that but the Farmall M was a 3-14" plow rated tractor, 35 hp but ballasted at nearly 4 tons. Your massey is about 2 tons according to tractordata.com. You do have a little edge if you have 4x4 but if you have r-4 tires that will at least off set the 4x4. If you got 4x4 ag's I say you should be all right, especially with a little weight in the bucket.
Gonna come down to weight, most tractors run out of traction before power. Fill the bucket with dirt, load the rear tires and try it out. I don't know when they stopped testing for that but the Farmall M was a 3-14" plow rated tractor, 35 hp but ballasted at nearly 4 tons. Your massey is about 2 tons according to tractordata.com. You do have a little edge if you have 4x4 but if you have r-4 tires that will at least off set the 4x4. If you got 4x4 ag's I say you should be all right, especially with a little weight in the bucket.
Mark Page
Platinum Member
Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
Both the 35 and 231s have loaded tires but remember the beauty of the 3 point hitch is that as the plow pulls down the hitch pulls up probably doubling the machine's traction.
Both the 35 and 231s have loaded tires but remember the beauty of the 3 point hitch is that as the plow pulls down the hitch pulls up probably doubling the machine's traction.
Mark Page
Platinum Member
Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
Both the 35 and 231s have loaded tires but remember the beauty of the 3 point hitch is that as the plow pulls down the hitch pulls up probably doubling the machine's traction.
Both the 35 and 231s have loaded tires but remember the beauty of the 3 point hitch is that as the plow pulls down the hitch pulls up probably doubling the machine's traction.
schmism
Super Member
Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
rule of thumb (brush hog 5hp er foot of width) for bottom plows its about 15hp per plow. 12" take less, 18" take more.
my 33hp hydro just squeeks out my 2x16 Dearborn. A 2x16 was the standard 2 bottom matched with a 30hp tractor from the 60's
so the 15hp stands up from a number of data points.
so 3bottom ~45hp which is why 60hp tractor pulls a 3bot fine.
rule of thumb (brush hog 5hp er foot of width) for bottom plows its about 15hp per plow. 12" take less, 18" take more.
my 33hp hydro just squeeks out my 2x16 Dearborn. A 2x16 was the standard 2 bottom matched with a 30hp tractor from the 60's
so the 15hp stands up from a number of data points.
so 3bottom ~45hp which is why 60hp tractor pulls a 3bot fine.
schmism
Super Member
Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
i suppose that depends on whether its tire limited or ground limited. meaning with zero down force on ice = slipping, all the down force in the world wont make you gain anymore traction.
i suppose that depends on whether its tire limited or ground limited. meaning with zero down force on ice = slipping, all the down force in the world wont make you gain anymore traction.
Verticaltrx
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Re: Is my tractor big enough for a 3 botto plow?
I echo a lot of this. Stick with a 2-bottom plow for best results, you'll probably need to find a 2x16 if you can because my guess is your tires are too wide for a 14" plow. We pull a 3x16 plow with a 2550 Deere and it's all she'll pull at times. In good ground it moves along at a nice pace, but in tough conditions (ground that's laid fallow for many years, tough clay, etc) it can be a battle. Mind you, this a 65hp farm tractor that weighs 10,000lbs. Compact tractors can do some satisfactory plowing, but it's really not what they were intended for.
I echo a lot of this. Stick with a 2-bottom plow for best results, you'll probably need to find a 2x16 if you can because my guess is your tires are too wide for a 14" plow. We pull a 3x16 plow with a 2550 Deere and it's all she'll pull at times. In good ground it moves along at a nice pace, but in tough conditions (ground that's laid fallow for many years, tough clay, etc) it can be a battle. Mind you, this a 65hp farm tractor that weighs 10,000lbs. Compact tractors can do some satisfactory plowing, but it's really not what they were intended for.
