Plowing and Discing with L4300DT

[JimME]

I bought a Pittsburgh Plow 2-14" with auto trip and adjusting lever from Sweet Equipment. I couldn't find anything this small in good shape in northern Maine. The transaction and delivery went without a hitch. Ken Sweet is a gentleman and very knowledgeable. I would buy from him again.

I plowed about an acre today. Here is a pic of the plow. It took some adjusting to get the plow functioning well. The narrow front wheels of my L4300DT required me to side shift/adjust the plow to the left so the first moldboard would have some ground to bite. I ran the left rear tire on a 7-8" cement block and adjusted the 3 point arms until the plow was leveled side to side and front to rear. This plow has a hand lever adjust which changes the direction the plow points. I found that plowing in high range, 2nd gear at about 2,000 rpm turned the sod over nicely. I fought with buried bailing twine (lots of it) which kept binding in the sod and dirt causing it to not release from the plow and create a giant dirtball that I had to stop and remove.

The L4300DT pulled the plow well, but for those questioning a 3-bottom with this sized tractor, I wouldn't do it. Even with loaded rear tires and the loader on for extra weight, this plow feels well matched to the tractor and gave it a good workout. The ground hasn't been turned in many years and was a bit too wet in places. I almost got stuck discing.

 

[JimME]

Here is a pic of the John Deere disc I bought from Sweet Equipment. It is the old pull or drag type which costs considerably less than a 3 point lift type. In my opinion, it sinks in and cuts better than a 3 pt. lift disc.

 

[JimME]

A picture showing the interference with the frame for the right coulter and the right 3 pt. arm BEFORE I side shifted the plow to the left. After adjusting the plow to the left, this was no longer a problem.

 

[JimME]

Starting this morning with the little fellas watching.

 

[JimME]

Reinforcements ready should I get stuck.

 

[JimME]

A pic of the bailing twine that kept gumming up the process.

 

[JimME]

One additional note: If you have rocky ground or ledges you may want to consider an "auto trip" plow if you buy used. I've used a shear pin plow and every time it trips you have to get off the tractor and replace the pin/bolt. The autotrip tripped twice today due to underground ledge/large rocks. All I had to do was backup to reset the plow and I was on my way. Very easy...

 

[Laminarman]

Jim

Thanks for the great post. Excellent photos! I'm about to try my hand plowing next week. I'm borrowing a plow from a friend, and he'll be there to help me out and give tips.

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks Jim and it was a pleasure doing business with you. I dont know how long you have been plowing, but those furrows look as good as I have ever seen! A nice 6 inch well casing with a couple hooks welded on, would make a nice drag for that JD disc harrow and help seal off that sod and speed up the decay process. --Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Over 1000 Pieces new and used equipment*

 

[nobull1]

Good pic's Jim, glad to see your getting the Kubota dirty /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.Looks like it's drying up pretty good in your area.