newbie sod turning question...

[dpoplaw]

Could someone tell me what is the best implement to turn over heavy grass (sod) for a garden plot. Also, if a plow is the recommended implement then what horsepower tractor is needed for a one and two bottom plow.

Thanks!

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

A moldboard plow is the old tried and true method for breaking sod. And they'll be the most common, therefore the most economical method.

Some will say kill off that sod with glyphosate (Round-Up), then work the soil with a tiller.

I'd opt for the plow.

A single bottom can be pulled with as little as 10 or 12 HP. (Just not too fast or very deep)

I've always heard that it takes 15 HP per bottom. (minimum)

Keep in mind that plows come in various widths, in addition to the number of bottoms. Common sizes are 12", 14", 16", on up to more "modern" 18" and 20" plows.

Rule of thumb. A plow can work HALF as deep as the width of the bottom (plus or minus an inch or so...) Example.... 16" bottom works well at 8" deep.

As you might expect, the wider plows pull harder. Also, some brands pull harder than others. (Ford, Oliver, and Massey Furguson plows tend to pull easier than a comparable John Deere )

My personal recommendation for a 1 or 2 bottom plow has always been the Ford model 101. Common, easy to find, pulls easy, and parts still plentiful.

 

[kuby]

I turned an old horse drawn plow into a 3 pt hitch and i pull it with my 25hp kubota 4x4. I just broke up a few acres of a hay field yesterday. I first sprayed it with round-up and then plowed it a week later. I tried discing it first but even with 200# of weight on the disc it would not cut in. Looks good now.

 

[GAFarmer2]

I would say use a plow, wait a couple of days, and then disk over it a couple of times (waiting a few days between each disking).

 

[sweettractors]

We use a moldboard plow as shown in the picture and about 15 HP for 1 bottom and 30 for 2 is a pretty good rule of thumb for HP requirements. 12"-14"-16" bottoms will make some difference in HP required? We have 70 sets of refurbished 1-2 and 3 bottom plows in stock today (Prices range from $195 to $695)--Ken Sweet

Email sweet@scrtc.com
Phone 270-528-3323-Mon-Fri-and Sat 8-12 CST

 

[RonR]

I see a lot of posts about plowing. Anyone have any real experience with a plow on a CUT? If my BX2200 had the horsepower, I don't think the ground clearance or the size of the tractor would be compatible with a plow.

Am I wrong? Would like to hear from CUT owners who have successfully used a moldboard plow..............

Thanks.
ron

 

[PineRidge]

Ron we used to pull a 2 bottom Dearborn plow with a 4WD 25 HP tractor. It worked well and we continued to use it until we invested in a tiller.

I have also pulled it a couple of times with our TC-40D for plowing a friends garden.