Understanding draft control

[CausticUrbanCoast]

I've come to notice something about Owners Manuals. If they were written by people whose first language was YOUR first language - we would be a whole lot better off.

Just imagine an east African - bought his brand new Ford tractor - trying to comprehend his OM that's written in Simbutu.

And the more difficult it is to put into words - the more difficult it is to understand.

Not sure some of us ever saw an owners manual for the old tractors we had.

They used to refuse to even give you parts pages so you could check assembly order. If the parts guy really liked you, sometimes they showed you the microfiche.

Draft sense is great for things like row tillers, mowers, rakes, and seed drills. As mentioned above, it has mixed use/purpose for subsoil implements.

The new version of draft sense and control (if you can afford it) is 3d gps positioning control, which does have applications for subsoil implements and is now heavily used in construction and road building. You set your position and it maintains that position despite what the surface is. It sure makes feilds flat now...

 

[RickB]

Not sure some of us ever saw an owners manual for the old tractors we had.

They used to refuse to even give you parts pages so you could check assembly order. If the parts guy really liked you, sometimes they showed you the microfiche.

Draft sense is great for things like row tillers, mowers, rakes, and seed drills. As mentioned above, it has mixed use/purpose for subsoil implements.

Draft control is most effective when used with ground engaging implements. Mowers aren't in that group.

The new version of draft sense and control (if you can afford it) is 3d gps positioning control, which does have applications for subsoil implements and is now heavily used in construction and road building. You set your position and it maintains that position despite what the surface is. It sure makes feilds flat now...

That's actually an advanced version of position control. Not at all related to draft control. These systems do not vary working depth from the surface because of the draft load.
This response is a great example of the common misunderstanding of the purpose and function of draft control.

 

[JimB77]

IMHO JD lower draft sensing if adjusted per tech manual operates much better than upper link draft sensing on upper link sensing best day. Major downfall is the requirement of the seals that will eventually LEAK OIL at the bottom of transmission case(hyd oil reservoir)!

 

[RickB]

IMHO JD lower draft sensing if adjusted per tech manual operates much better than upper link draft sensing on upper link sensing best day. Major downfall is the requirement of the seals that will eventually LEAK OIL at the bottom of transmission case(hyd oil reservoir)!

Lower link sensing is effective with semi mounted implements. Top link sensing is worthless with semi mount implements. Electronic draft control solves the leaking seals complaint (but introduces other potential concerns).

 

[wolc123]

Unless mud is an issue, I prefer to use my 1951 Ford 8n over my 2005 JD for plowing because it has draft control but the JD does not.

The front wheel assist on the JD trumps the position control on the 2wd Ford when mud is an issue.

 

[JimB77]

Lower link sensing is effective with semi mounted implements. Top link sensing is worthless with semi mount implements. Electronic draft control solves the leaking seals complaint (but introduces other potential concerns).

I'll take JD's newer style L/D shaft seals similar to what my 4255 has over electronically controlled anything. My 4255 with 11,500+ hrs showing on speed/hour meter. Many hours of 3 pt plowing & is on it's 3rd set of L/D seals. That doesn't include the baling of many 1000's of rd bales

 

[JimB77]

Unless mud is an issue, I prefer to use my 1951 Ford 8n over my 2005 JD for plowing because it has draft control but the JD does not.

The front wheel assist on the JD trumps the position control on the 2wd Ford when mud is an issue.

I was taught never to plow muddy soil.

 

[LouNY]

IH uses lower link sensing thru a strain gauge type arrangement no leaks to worry about.
Even so I seldom use it as in our heavy tillage, chisel plows and trailing disc in extremely stony
and compacted soil is right on the verge of traction lose. Because of the stone we run slow and I can
trim my work depth without trying to rely on draft control. I'm in second or third gear watching back all the time,
it's much easier to go slow and stay in the seat instead of have to get out and replace clamps and u bolts
and wrestle with those heavy shanks.
We have had draft control on tractors since the late 50's and very seldom have we been pleased with the results
of it.

 

[mred2]

Watch the old video. It explains the first draft control.

 

[wolc123]

I was taught never to plow muddy soil.

I don’t always have that option on my mucky bottomland farm. Some years, if waited for all the wet spots to dry completely, I wouldn’t have time for crops to mature before the frost.

A little mud pretty much brings my old Ford to a stop on the plow, but my 4wd JD will pull it right thru standing water without even slowing down.

This spring was pretty dry, and I got it all done with the Ford. I am interested to see what next year brings.

My original, 1951 furrow-side rear rim rusted through right after I finished plowing this spring. I replaced it, but did not load the new one with calcium.

It always pulled that 2 x 12 plow like a dream, on non-muddy ground, with two loaded rears. I have no clue how it will do with just one.

I have another new rim, but I am not going to change that side until it also rusts thru.