Year 2, more plow setup issues

[countrybumpkin]

As for wear spots, it would be any place they are connected and not lubed, such as the pins and the screw shaft for the leveling arm. The more hours on a machine the more of a issue you may have with worn parts. As for the plow setting higher in the front , that will cause the plow to want to ride toward the top of the soil, if you had the front lower than the rear it would want to suck itself down to much into the soil.

 

[Egon]

What are the current results with your plow? How is it acting in the soil?

 

[Mearntain]

What are the current results with your plow? How is it acting in the soil?

As of now, I've still got nowhere, it's mostly acting like a snow plow right now, just pushing the top layer of dirt down the field.

The rear begins to suck down and the front mostly rides the top of soil, and the rear eventually pops up. Soil seems to be perfect condition for plowing, not too wet not too dry. If you dig up some soil, it will make a ball of dirt, but easily falls apart and doesn't leave muddy residue on your hands.

 

[Mearntain]

As for wear spots, it would be any place they are connected and not lubed, such as the pins and the screw shaft for the leveling arm. The more hours on a machine the more of a issue you may have with worn parts. As for the plow setting higher in the front , that will cause the plow to want to ride toward the top of the soil, if you had the front lower than the rear it would want to suck itself down to much into the soil.

When I I was talking about the plow sitting with the front higher off the ground, I was talking about before setting the tires in the furrow. Imy really thinking this play/slop is related to my issue. In my mind, the plows should hold the same orientation to each other regardless of whether position control is fully lifted, or position control fully lowered. If I lower position control all the way down while sitting on level ground, both plows go all the way down to the ground, instead of the front plow halting it's descent to the ground as soon as the rear plow touches this ground . (This is not while trying to plow in the field, this is while sitting on concrete)

 

[countrybumpkin]

When I I was talking about the plow sitting with the front higher off the ground, I was talking about before setting the tires in the furrow.)

ok is this still with both left tires on the blocks? If so then it's still out of adjustment. Are you you lowering the position control completely and letting all the weight of the plow set on the floor? If so don't , with both tires on blocks, lower the plow until it's just a 1/8" or 1/4" off the floor and level it side to side and front to back that way. If you have that much slop in your arms and such then that is not helping you problem any.

As for you plow holding the same alignment raised as lowered, that all depends on the geometry of your lift arm and top link mounting points on your tractor and plow.

 

[LD1]

If the plow is set properly, when you are on level ground and lower the plow, yes the front will be higher.

IF you are standing back looking at the rear of the tractor, the plow should look tilted with the left side lower. (this accounts for the furrow). This makes the right side, which is the side the front gang is on, appear higher.

Like I said, you cannot make assumptions or adjustments based on first pass results. Because you arent in a furrow yet. So the front gang wont cut well at all on the first pass. And sometimes even the second pass isnt to full depth yet because you still have yet to get the rear gang at full depth and establish the furrow.

You may need to try some in the field adjustments. Shortening the toplink will pitch the plow down a bit and make it cut deeper, but at the same time it raises the rear gang also. So to compensate, as you shorten the toplink, also shorten the right sidelink to get back to level.

Plowing is an art. How much area are you plowing and perhaps you would be better served with a single bottom plow as they are far easier to get good results with.

And how about some in-the-field pics of just what you have going on?

 

[countrybumpkin]

And how about some in-the-field pics of just what you have going on?

This would HELP a bunch, get some from the side view too, and not real close up either, get some 10-15 ft away so we can get a overall look at what you have going on. If you said before , sorry but I missed it, is the plow in good shape? No bent or twisted beams or anything? As for taking a pass or two to get a good furrow started, in small areas using a new setup, I've even started the first pass with the plow leveled with all four tires on level ground, just have to readjust for setting in the furrow from there on.

 

[M5farms]

I cant tell you exactly how to set it because I've always been one to just tweek and adjust till it turns like it supposed to. Unless I missed it what are you trying to turn?? and how has that been prepared for plowing. heavy sod will need to be disked in order to get it turned proper.

 

[countrybumpkin]

and how has that been prepared for plowing. heavy sod will need to be disked in order to get it turned proper.

Not sure we're you came up with that at?

 

[LD1]

Not sure we're you came up with that at?

Agreed.

Disc'd or freshly tilled ground dont turn as well. The soil has to hold together.

 

[sweettractors]

As some may remember, I played **** last year trying to get my Double bottom setup on my Ford 2000 and pretty much ended up having to wing it in the long run to have a decent seed bed. Well, this is the 2nd year I've had it now and can't get it set up for the life of me and am getting nowhere and I can't figure out if it's me or the equipment.

When trying to set it up tonight on concrete for the first pass (with both plows level), I noticed after I picked it up and set it back down to verify it's alignment, it was slightly different than I thought I had set it up.

I then noticed that my leveling arm has a little bit of play when lifting up on it before the lift arm "engages" and begins to lift at the same rate. (This is being done with no attachment attached at this point) Is this normal for that to be the case or do I have an issue? If it is an issue, could that be why I can't set this thing up to save my life?

Get in the field and plow 2 rounds. Start the tractor in the 3rd furrow. Stop with the plow in the ground. Get off the tractor and take a picture of the plow from one side and 1 more standing directly behind the plow looking forward. Post those 2 pics here and I can tell you what to tweak to zero it in. Ken Sweet

 

[Egon]

Get in the field and plow 2 rounds. Start the tractor in the 3rd furrow. Stop with the plow in the ground. Get off the tractor and take a picture of the plow from one side and 1 more standing directly behind the plow looking forward. Post those 2 pics here and I can tell you what to tweak to zero it in. Ken Sweet

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

I'm thinking the top link may need adjustment. Do it in the field. Go too far in one direction and then come back till you are happy. Are your shares scoured?

 

[Mearntain]

I wish I could get 2 furrows, so not gonna get it to the third one for a picture. I can occasionally get one furrow with a real uneven bottom, then I go back around and drop the wheels in there, and then absolutely nothing more times than not. Occasionally I can get it to go down some and then it either stays around 2 inches deep or it will dive to around 7 and pop both back out the ground. (This is without making any adjustments between the 2 extremes)

The plow seems to be in excellent condition, it was practically brand new when I got it. I do hear a pop sometimes coming from somewhere on the plow when I stop and pull it out the ground but can't trace it to where it comes from.

When I had the tractor on blocks, I had the plow completely unattached on the ground, and then adjusted the lift arms and top link to it to attach it. Is doing that going to make my measurements be that far off to work at all?

Here are some pictures. First one is with the plow in the air, second on the ground. Of the 2 pictures showing the quality of the cut, the one with me off the tractor makes the ground look alot better than it really is. The one taken from the tractor does it justice to show how horrible it really is. I'll add too that it still is pulling to left all the way, but my chains stopping it from going further, but the front plow is staying in correct position with where the furrow wall should be.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Were are the side pics?

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Not to hijack,

Never seen a plow with slotted (finned) moldboards before? Whats the purpose?

They're called "slats".. the plows with slats were called "high speed" plows and were used in heavy clay soils..the idea is/was that the slats would not create as much 'drag' as a whole moldboard. I've got 2 of these...one on a C20 IH Fast Hitch and a single bottom Dearborn....BobG in VA

 

[Egon]

Thanks for the pictures. As shown the plow share points seem to be acting as rippers.

Looking from the back; try extending the top link and also extending right three point adjustment. No quarantees as I've of the mind the cross member also needs some adjustment but should work as is. To me the right lift arm could be longer.

Do the adjustments in the field and keep at it till you're satisfied. Don't get hung up on flat, level and blocked adjustments.

 

[M5farms]

Not sure we're you came up with that at?

come on down to the Florida panhandle and jump on a field of Bermuda grass with a 2 bottom plow . Ive been plowing since I was about 12yrs old and turned 1000's of acres over these yrs. Cutting the top 3 to 4 inches allows the organic matter to turned over into the furrow more evenly .

 

[Mearntain]

Were are the side pics?

I'll try to get some tonight weather permitting.

Thanks for the pictures. As shown the plow share points seem to be acting as rippers.

Looking from the back; try extending the top link and also extending right three point adjustment. No quarantees as I've of the mind the cross member also needs some adjustment but should work as is. To me the right lift arm could be longer.

Do the adjustments in the field and keep at it till you're satisfied. Don't get hung up on flat, level and blocked adjustments.

I'll give it a shot and see where that gets me. Hopefully this evening if the rain holds off.

 

[countrybumpkin]

come on down to the Florida panhandle and jump on a field of Bermuda grass with a 2 bottom plow . Ive been plowing since I was about 12yrs old and turned 1000's of acres over these yrs. Cutting the top 3 to 4 inches allows the organic matter to turned over into the furrow more evenly .

well glad it works for you, but here we have no issue turning Bermuda, and yeah I've been turn fields for years too.

 

[Egon]

I'll try to get some tonight weather permitting.



I'll give it a shot and see where that gets me. Hopefully this evening if the rain holds off.

The main thing is too make adjustments in the field so you can see what's happening as you do it and then go from there.