MF Model 74 Plow

[wmonroe]

I found a MF Model 74 3 bottom plow on craigslist for what i think is a good price. My question is, is a Ford 961 Powermaster, about 4000 lbs, capable of pulling this plow in rocky southwestern PA soil? In the next few years i was going to buy a L3940 also, what about it pulling a 3 bottom?

The plow is a category 2 3ph, can the cat 2 pins be removed and just replaced with cat 1 pins or is it more difficult than this?

Thanks for the help with all my questions.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I found a MF Model 74 3 bottom plow on craigslist for what i think is a good price. My question is, is a Ford 961 Powermaster, about 4000 lbs, capable of pulling this plow in rocky southwestern PA soil? In the next few years i was going to buy a L3940 also, what about it pulling a 3 bottom?

The plow is a category 2 3ph, can the cat 2 pins be removed and just replaced with cat 1 pins or is it more difficult than this?

Thanks for the help with all my questions.

3-bottom, but what size? 3/16's are a LOT more plow to pull than 3/14's....

My experience around here is, 4000lbs is 2000lbs shy for pulling 3 bottoms under good conditions. 961 PowerMaster should be a fairly stout tractor, but would need a few weights to tackle 3 bottoms.

#74 Massey plow should have a forged offset drawbar. 74's are CAT II plows.....No "pins" to replace. Also, the 74 is a reasonably heavy plow compared to some others. That doesn't help the marginal weight issue one bit.

For what it's worth, local auction prices on a MF74 in good shape, $400 + or -. Lots of wear, as low as scrap price. It's not difficult to spend $250+ per bottom on all new wear parts.

 

[wmonroe]

Here is the text from the craigslist ad,

"For Sale MF model 74 plows. 3 bottom, 16". Shares, shins, land slides, and trash boards all have only a few acres of use. The trips work properly. These are fully shined up and ready to use. Category-2 hitch. These look like they could be converted to 2 bottoms by removing just a few bolts."

There is only one picture (he is supposed to be sending me more) and it appears to be in very good shape. It doesn't do me any good though if i can't pull it. The other issue is, i thought the pins that the three point arms from the tractor attached to could be unbolted and removed? My brush hog, drag blade, and broadcast spreader are all set up like this and i thought this plow might be the same but maybe not. If it cannot be converted to a cat 1 then it doesn't do me much good either as i don't have a cat 2 tractor.

 

[wmonroe]

Forgot to add the picture, this is the one from the craigslist add.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Yes you can remove the rear bottom. That does require moving the rear (3rd) landslide (and tailwheel..Don't see one in your picture?) to the new rear bottom (2nd)

You could find a CAT I offset drawbar and make that work..(which I am NOT advocating by the way) ..Top link pin hole will still be CAT II.

Looks like a decent plow though. I could see where it would be tempting at the right price.

 

[wmonroe]

I was thinking the same thing about removing the third bottom then my tractor could pull it and i'd also have it if i ever did go to a bigger tractor. For now though i think i might pass on this one as it doesn't sound like trying to make it work with a Cat 1 is going to work too well. I was hoping it would work as this is the first local plow that came up in good condition but with a price that wasn't astronomical.
Thanks for the help.