Pulling a plow with a CUT.

[timb]

Showing my ignorence on compacts here but I keep swaying between "medium" and "large" compacts (say JD4310/TC33 vs JD4510/TC40) as I consider different jobs I'll have for it. Can any of the more experience crew out there share a little insight into using a compact for plowing? For example - we have a 2x14 plow (now used with a Ford NAA, 2WD, filled 11x28 ag tires). Would a plow this size be too much for a medium-frame compact, assuming 4WD but unfilled ag tires? (Maybe wheel weights). Not that I'm planning to plow 40 acres every year but being able to compare a newer compact to the old Ford gives me a frame of reference for ground working attachments.

Thanks, Tim

 

[rdln]

IMO a tc33/4400 mfwd with r-1s would be the bare minimum for a 2-14 wit a lot of weight up front (loader attached). If you want r-4s for everything else you might do you're gonna have to step up.

My jd 970 is similar to a 4500 and it pulls a heavy cat II 2-16 reset plow with some complaint but its a cool plow.

 

[JerryG]

timb,
The answer is yes. I have a 33 horse with wheel weights. It does a fine job of plowing. My ground is full of fist sized flint rock. The one thing that I won't say is the size of my plow. Everyone would know that I was crazy/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif.

 

[beenthere]

Maybe I missed it, but go bigger if you are going HST, instead of gear. At least that is what my experience would dictate to me if I were making the choice, and pulling a plow was all that important to do.

 

[timb]

HST vs gear is another part of the equation. Myself, I think I'd be happiest with a shuttle-shift gear, but if (and that's still an if) the better half (who can't drive a stick) will be doing most of the finish mowing work (hey she volunteered) an HST may be better for her. Not that she couldn't learn to drive a gear tractor but I know she'd be happier with an HST. She'd also be happier with a smaller tractor than a large frame unit so there's no one perfect answer.

Hmmm. Are you saying that's enough of a close call between medium CUT's being able to handle this heavy of a pulling load that the gear/HST choice would decide it? (High-end medium if gear, large-frame if HST is needed?)

If only I could find that mis-laid winning lottery ticket I could get one of everything...

 

[beenthere]

For me, I would go with the HST regardless of your wife's dexterity. With anything but a plow (they are becomming obsolete with all the 'better' equipment available), the HST has it over the gear. I do drive them both, and with grading work, box blade, rotary cutter, loader work, forks, tiller, and so on, the HST is best for me. If just plow work, then probably a 5210 or the like would be the best for your dollar. That choice is certainly yours.

 

[brisbine]

You might want to consider the maintenance side of things as well. HST's were primarily designed for, and do an extremely efficient job at, moving back and forth quickly. Extended, long and hard pulling strains the hydrostat unit which could ultimately result in expensive repairs down the road. From a mechanic's point of view, if you plan on using it primarily for hard pulling of implements for extended periods, I would suggest the DT. However, the convenience and ease of a hydrostat is hard to pass up; you may consider that more important than (potential) long term maintenance problems.

Hope this helps,

-Brian

 

[grandad]

Just one guy's opinion, but what you could do and what you should do are probably different when it comes to using ag implements like a 2 bottom plow on a compact tractor. I have a 46 hp compact that I know easily has the power and traction for such a task. But it's an HST drive, so I would prefer not to use it for continuous heavy pulling like that. A direct gear drive would be a better choice, but that's less convenient for many other chores.
If you are going to be doing some serious ag work like that, maybe you should check out some of the 50 hp ag tractors, whose prices compare favorably to the larger compacts, or maybe keeping your Ford or another used ag tractor around for those chores so your shiny new JD/NH/Kub or ?? stays like new.

 

[Slamfire]

We pulled a 2-14 plow with my Dad's 8N Ford. It didn't lack either power or traction.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

By an old Ferguson for pulling work and a new fancy tractor for the other stuff. You'll be amazed at how much you can do with an old Fergy. They are not much for the back and forth and they lack serious external hydraulics for the newer doo dads, but for what they were designed for they are amazing.

Eric