I have recently taken on a 120 acre farm reclaiming. Everything was so over grown with stubble and briars you couldn't walk it. I consulted Conservation and local MFA for help. We decided that the best thing to do was mow it and then get a bottom plow and turn it over. I have started with a 20 acre field. Mowed it all down in late fall. Now I have picked up this 3 bottom plow that I believe is a Ford. The only marking I have found is a "6" on the rail behind the middle plow. It has sat in a field for years but is still solid. I replaced all the grease zerks and greased well. I also replaced the adjustment bolt on the R/S that was broken. Off to the field I went. It does very well in the easy stuff but when I hit the briar stubble and ect. the L/S plow started tripping. I can swing it back into place and it snapps right in. After 4-5 laps around the field it is the only one that continuously trips. Is there an adjustment to tighten the trip mechanism? Also what kind of adjustments do I make with depth, speed, and the adj. bolt that changes the angle. Also, do I plow in straight lines back and forth or do I go around in a circle like mowing. I am really just learning and would appreciate all the help there is to offer. I am pulling with a Ford 4000 50 hp tractor.
Ford 3 bottom plow help
- Thread starter MMPron750
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Egon
Epic Contributor
Suggest you go in straight lines and plough six to eight inches deep.
As the furrow will be turned to the other side when returning leave a space between the two directions you plow in. More passes and the space gets smaller and eventually the furrows meet. Then start over.
Or, start the first two furrows side by side which lets the ploughed area get wider. When it's wide enough that you spend too much time on the headland start over.
Clear as mud I know. There's other's that will do better.
Some folks may want to plough in a square pattern either getting bigger or smaller.
Can't help on the trip adjustment but just by looking at it you will figure it out.
As the furrow will be turned to the other side when returning leave a space between the two directions you plow in. More passes and the space gets smaller and eventually the furrows meet. Then start over.
Or, start the first two furrows side by side which lets the ploughed area get wider. When it's wide enough that you spend too much time on the headland start over.
Clear as mud I know. There's other's that will do better.
Some folks may want to plough in a square pattern either getting bigger or smaller.
Can't help on the trip adjustment but just by looking at it you will figure it out.
Egon
Epic Contributor
That's about it but keep the distance between down to a comfortable level.
gwdixon
Elite Member
If it is a Ford 101 then here are the manual pages for trip adjustment.
gwdixon
Elite Member
The side plate doesn't need to be removed. The spring can be accessed from the rear of the assembly.
It doesn't much matter what the inside looks like as long as the spring can be adjusted.
Here is a photo of a Ford 101 to compare to yours. (Drawbar removed.)
gwdixon
Elite Member
Oh, and here is after the restoration.
sweettractors
Advertiser
If it is a "101" series. get the grease off the trip mechanisim asap. Then, Screw "in" the adjusting bolt that comes out the back of the shank to increase tripping pressure. Ken Sweet.
