DIY Potato Plow

[rew1953]

I Needed a potato plow to reduce backache of hand digging, but did not like the store bought units design or construction. They all looked very flimsy and I did not trust the construction. Also, they were all way overpriced for what you got. So, I built my own from scrap metal laying around the shop. It looks a little funny, but it works very well. Most rows only need one pass if you keep the tractor straight versus three passes with a store plow. It is very strong and I also use it to dig ditches. Only problem so far is when you dig a drainage ditch, you have to finish grade both sides of the ditch versus one side with a grader blade. I cuts ground much better than the grader blade and you get good depth control on draft by adjusting the point angle with the top link. My FIL wants me to modify his store bought unit after seeing my home made plow. It is a little too much for the NAA as I get side swing from the solid sway bars, but works great behind the 4000 with the adjustable locking sway bars.

 

[Big Barn]

I Needed a potato plow to reduce backache of hand digging, but did not like the store bought units design or construction. They all looked very flimsy and I did not trust the construction. Also, they were all way overpriced for what you got. So, I built my own from scrap metal laying around the shop. It looks a little funny, but it works very well. Most rows only need one pass if you keep the tractor straight versus three passes with a store plow. It is very strong and I also use it to dig ditches. Only problem so far is when you dig a drainage ditch, you have to finish grade both sides of the ditch versus one side with a grader blade. I cuts ground much better than the grader blade and you get good depth control on draft by adjusting the point angle with the top link. My FIL wants me to modify his store bought unit after seeing my home made plow. It is a little too much for the NAA as I get side swing from the solid sway bars, but works great behind the 4000 with the adjustable locking sway bars.

Cool. ( I’ve dug thousands of tons of potatoes ). We need to see it in action!

 

[rew1953]

That may be awhile. Stepping off the NAA on Mar. 30, my left leg buckled and I went down hard. My right foot caught under the clutch pedal and broke my right femur when I hit the ground. First surgery was install metal rod in bone and 3 pins to attach back to socket. Second surgery to cut me from groin to knee to drain massive hematoma from first surgery. Total 6 weeks in hospital and rehab. Felt really bad and found out I had 3 strains of bacterial infection when released home, one being staff, cannot pronounce the other 2. 5 weeks of 2 types of antibiotics and still fighting low grade fever. Saw orthaperic surgeon and he said it would be up to 1 year for complete healing of bone, maybe longer due to age. This season totally shot. Hurts most of the time, especially when trying to walk. Rember the theater expression for good luck was "break a leg". I cannot find anything lucky about breaking a leg. English is a terrible language. I still park in the driveway and drive on the parkway. Very non descriptive language.

 

[rew1953]

I would send you the plans, but there is not any. Just added a piece scrap here and ine there until it looked right, rhen cobbled a support in rear to hold everyrhing together. Used about 10 lbs of E7018 rod due to small pieces, but it turned out rock solid.

When I can get up and around, l will post photos of a 1939 6way adjustable drag disc that I converted to a 3 pt hitch to kerp from digging up yard and drive during transport to garden. Had to add stabilizing chains to both halves to transport. Weighs in at 700 pounds and really grinds the dirt. You do kits of strange things when retired and bored. I will look at a piece of equipment and think, what if I did ???

 

[Big Barn]

Holy crap. Best wishes sent to get well soon. I would love to see your plow and similars ones operating. Back in the 1970s-80s we had two Lockwood harvesters like this one. It would be a dinosaur compared to current models.





Modern day versions are obviously larger, gentler on product handling and WAY more sophisticated. . Elimination of dirt clods is always the challenge.

 

[rew1953]

I would bet they were a lot easier to repair than the current models

My FIL & BIL operate a 750 acre farm. About 15 years ago they built a large equipment storage shed to get their tractors under cover and protected from the weather.

The shed got hit by lightening while they were attending a VFD meeting 15 miles away. The call came in from a neighbor during the meeting. By the time they got back home, the wood shed had burnt to the ground.

They lost 7 tractors, 2 ea 70-80 HP, 4 ea 40-50 HP, and a cub garden tractor. They also lost a mower/conditioner, 2 round balers (small & large), hay rake, 8 ft King Kutter rotary tiller, a 15 ft batwing brush hog, 2 hydraulic 6 way grader blades, 2 tons of bagged horse feed, multiple rolls of wire fencing, wood posts, metal posts, and a 250 gal diesel tank w/ electric pump. A devastating loss as it was only partially covered by insurance.

Glen had enough insurance to buy a 2013 JD 5000E I think is the model. 100 HP, full cab with hear and air, it is computer programmable via GPS to work a field with no operator on board. Glen can sit under a shade tree drinking a lemonade while the tractor mows the field on its own. Damnest thing I ever saw. Glen does not know how to program it and I doubt he ever will. A tractor driving itself scares me to death. What is next?

 

[kthompson]

rew1953, tough fall there. Do pray you full recovery. My guess you are also a 1953 baby as I am. I tell people back then cars had metal.

My impression is you have basically a pull dirt scoop is that correct? Few years back was considering building a digger but stopped with garden. I was planning on a conveyer chain driving by hyd motor using wheels with off center bearings to get the up and down action to help the dirt fall off. Have you looked at the one "everything attachments" has for ideas?

 

[CoyPatton]

I would bet they were a lot easier to repair than the current models

My FIL & BIL operate a 750 acre farm. About 15 years ago they built a large equipment storage shed to get their tractors under cover and protected from the weather.

The shed got hit by lightening while they were attending a VFD meeting 15 miles away. The call came in from a neighbor during the meeting. By the time they got back home, the wood shed had burnt to the ground.

They lost 7 tractors, 2 ea 70-80 HP, 4 ea 40-50 HP, and a cub garden tractor. They also lost a mower/conditioner, 2 round balers (small & large), hay rake, 8 ft King Kutter rotary tiller, a 15 ft batwing brush hog, 2 hydraulic 6 way grader blades, 2 tons of bagged horse feed, multiple rolls of wire fencing, wood posts, metal posts, and a 250 gal diesel tank w/ electric pump. A devastating loss as it was only partially covered by insurance.

Glen had enough insurance to buy a 2013 JD 5000E I think is the model. 100 HP, full cab with hear and air, it is computer programmable via GPS to work a field with no operator on board. Glen can sit under a shade tree drinking a lemonade while the tractor mows the field on its own. Damnest thing I ever saw. Glen does not know how to program it and I doubt he ever will. A tractor driving itself scares me to death. What is next?View attachment 660171View attachment 660170View attachment 660169View attachment 660168View attachment 660167View attachment 660171

Well if he or you try sitting under a tree to watch that tractor mow the field, you will soon tire of watch fuel dollars burn away as it sits!
Your description of GPS controls on a tractor shows lots of lack of understanding! When programmed, it will track where in your field you have been and will steer from one end to the other and then stop. Even with auto steer, there are millions of things for the operator to keep track of, not to mention it will not function without an operator present.
The bad, someone will know so little, they will believe the next time they can not see up into a tractor cab that the farmer sent it on its own to the field! May in the future, but personally, I would not trust the computer driven cars!

 

[rew1953]

rew1953, tough fall there. Do pray you full recovery. My guess you are also a 1953 baby as I am. I tell people back then cars had metal.

My impression is you have basically a pull dirt scoop is that correct? Few years back was considering building a digger but stopped with garden. I was planning on a conveyer chain driving by hyd motor using wheels with off center bearings to get the up and down action to help the dirt fall off. Have you looked at the one "everything attachments" has for ideas?

It is generally referred to as a pond scoop. It is reversible in attachment. I mount it facing forward to dig and rearward to move loose material. The bucket holds 1/3 yard. Since I do not have a FEL, this is the next best thing.

 

[rew1953]

The point is, tractors have generally gone the way of the auto. They are vastly more efficient, but repairs are very difficult for the average farmer to do on his own. I think that is part of the reason for the high demand for the older used tractors that have not been beat to death.