Two bottom plow. ford 640.

[mycaddigo]

the 2 bottom plow as been sittin for years. Its rust, but very solid. I have been told by an old timer that the plow will not work unless its cleaned up real nice. The tractor has wheel weights and calcium, it also has a bucket on it, the tractor is estimated to weigh 5500-6000 lbs.
Do you think I will have any problem plowing w/ the tractor if the plow "blades" aren't cleaned up and smooth??
Thanks

 

[LD1]

should have no trouble using the plow, but the results might not be that great and the furrows may look like crap until she gets shined up.

I'd take a wire wheel on a grinder, knock the heavy stuff off, and go to town. In a few hours of plowing, it will be shined up:thumbsup:

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much what LD1 said; when I was farming, we put a coat of protectant on our plow when we finished to protect it, but I have used rusty plows, actually have one now and it doesn't take too long, depending on the soil to have a shiny surface. One of our farms has some sandy soil and it does really well, another is clay and it's not as easy, but it works on both.

If you're new to plowing, your results aren't going to be picture perfect anyway. I can't even do too well anymore, nothing like experience and regular use.

Good luck.

 

[idaho2]

mycaddigo,

I have a Ford-Dearborn 10-209 3x16's. Had rust and paint on the moldboards and shares when I bought it. But after an hour of plowing Palouse it cleaned up nicely. I'm pulling mine with a Mahindra 55hp 4wd -no ballast - plowing 8" deep. Be sure to get your plow "setup" for your specific tractor and then enjoy plowing. When finished smear grease on the moldboards and shares. This will inhibit rust.

idaho2

 

[super55]

Running a plow is lost art in my mind. It really takes a good operator and good plow for it to come out nicely. That being said I'm sure that old plow still has a lot of life still in it. The old timer is right in the aspect to get that plow to work smoothly it should be shiny and rust free and like others have said the easiest way to get it that way is to go and plow with it. If the moldboard is chipped you can get parts from TSC. The furrow will drag on the moldboard a bit until the rust is cleared off it but once it's cleaned it will run smooth as silk. You'll probably notice when the plow is getting clean because it will pull and track behind your tractor much better.

There's nothing more therapeutic than hearing the hum of the tractor and watching the furrows roll in my opinion.

 

[TripleR]

Running a plow is lost art in my mind. It really takes a good operator and good plow for it to come out nicely. That being said I'm sure that old plow still has a lot of life still in it. The old timer is right in the aspect to get that plow to work smoothly it should be shiny and rust free and like others have said the easiest way to get it that way is to go and plow with it. If the moldboard is chipped you can get parts from TSC. The furrow will drag on the moldboard a bit until the rust is cleared off it but once it's cleaned it will run smooth as silk. You'll probably notice when the plow is getting clean because it will pull and track behind your tractor much better.

There's nothing more therapeutic than hearing the hum of the tractor and watching the furrows roll in my opinion.

And nothing beats the smell of freshly turned ground.

 

[crowbar032]

About a month ago, I hooked up a set of MF 3-14's to my JD 5065E and plowed my hayfield (and I have R4's). They had been setting for at least 25 years. Dad sat them on concrete blocks, painted them with rattlecan rustoleum, then parked them as they were too much for the MF 150. The paint was flaking off and the mouldboards rusting and one of the coulters wouldn't turn. My dirt is mostly clay and after about 30 minutes, they were all shined up and all the coulters turned freely. The furrows looked rough and the sod didn't "turn over" real well until they shined up though. The tractor was also pulling harder (listening to engine and wheel slippage) with the rust and paint but it smoothed out once they shined up.

I'd say your biggest issue will be getting the plows set correctly. Plowing is an art form and the only way to learn is to try it. I'm by no means a expert, but the plows are adjusted a little differently every year. If you've got access to an old timer, he may be able to advise you on adjustments in person. Plowing is one of those show things and not a read about thing. Once you're finished plowing though, spray paint them or coat with grease and everything will work better next time. Personally I like paint better as I can't look in the direction of a glob of grease without ending up covered.

 

[idaho2]

When I set up my plow my goal was not to be able to see the number of "bottoms" used for each pass of the plow. Well I achieved it and my son could not tell the difference. Felt proud of myself since I had not plowed a field in 45 years!

idaho2

 

[gilsimp]

Nothing like plowing new ground on my Mahindra 2816

 

[idaho2]

gilsimp,

Looks like you have a 1x14". Next spring I have about 40 acres to plow with my 3x16's. Plowing is what I really enjoy doing day or nite.

idaho2