10" or 12" single bottom plow?

[Pullstart 63,289]

I've located one of each and the 12" looks to be in better condition for a small amount more.  Is there any rule of thumb what size tractor would best be suited for each size?  I've got my 502 ready to chug along and have 6-12 ags with plans to fill my tires too.  My soil is a sandy dirt mix, no clay.

 

Thanks!

Edited August 11, 2014 by pullstart

[squonk 41,741]

A 12" is better suited for a bigger tractor.

[Lane Ranger 11,054]

Yep  12 is a little too big to pull well for a 502!   Eight inch works a lot better !!

[Pullstart 63,289]

Thanks guys, with that said would the 10" even be worth looking into?

[squonk 41,741]

A 10" is quite beefy. Not only for pulling but also getting it out of the ground with a manual lift system. You can get the 10 is the price is right. Try it and if it's too heavy sell it and look for an 8

[Pullstart 63,289]

thanks again Mike.  I ended up getting a Brinly disc this week, I figured I'd drag that around and see if I can cut the sod.  so far so good!  if worse comes to worse, Grampa's got a Ford 4000 with a 60" tiller about 10 miles down the road.  I also stumbled across a couple what look to be 6" moldboards hanging in the chicken coop that I might end up making an attachment for.

 

but the 502 is pulling that loaded disc like a champ!  I need to get my front tires loaded and maybe build a hanging weight so I can steer the dang thing.

[specialwheelhorse 174]

Yep had to hang about 100 pounds on the front of my 702 to

Pull and steer an 8 briny. It pulled it well enough but needed

The weight to steer well but was turning sod !!

Jim in lone star state

[squonk 41,741]

[leeave96 487]

Ive got a 12 inch and an 8 inch moldboard plow. Had a 10 inch and sold it.

The 12 inch plow - by far (for me) gives the best results. However it is HEAVY and is a hard pull. I now use it with my 520H with rear weights and ag tires. The foot control kit from Matt and the hydro steering makes for a nice plow tractor.

The 12 inch clevis hitch Brinly plows are hard to find. If you think you might get a larger Wheelhorse, I'd buy it while I could.

Here is a pic of some plowing with the 12 inch moldboard last Spring

[AMC RULES 37,143]

Some  calender material...that last pict is. 

[Pullstart 63,289]

it's helpful seeing that 12" in comparison to a tractor!  I think the 12" frame would be taller than my little "put put"!  if I ever upgrade to a larger tractor, it might be my father in law's Massey Ferguson WD sitting out back.  in that case, grampa's got a 2 or 3 bottom plow I'm sure I can pick up if I promise to use it and take care of it.

 

along with the disc, I managed to wrangle up a rake if you will... 4 6" long 3/4" bar spikes that I dragged around last night.  that helped to break up the soil to keep discing the yard.  I'm sure by next planting season I'll have a well broken ground to work with.

[Molon_Labe 731]

Both are great plows but it takes some serious traction and horsepower to make them work.

 

 

 

 

[Pullstart 63,289]

I don't really want to beat a dead horse about that 12" plow but my grandpa gave me one last night with a sod cutting disc.  For some reason 3 rebuilds with crank work have given me no luck on the K141 and it's rattling apart again so I am picking up a good running K181 to stick in it's place.  all my tires are now loaded and I've got 60 pounds or so hanging on my front end.  Come to find out my ag tires are 8-12's and not 6-12's.

 

I'm planning on trying out the 12" because I've got it now... and all my sod is turned up and cut but I want to dig deeper than the disc and cultivator can reach.  in all my work and play in this new patch I've pulled up one rock about the size of a football.  everything else is good looking dirt with great drainage.  no rocks and no clay!

 

you guys suppose I'm killin' time or I might be able to work with what I have?

[squonk 41,741]

Might need 2 arms to lift it out of the ground

[Pullstart 63,289]

if I can pull it through the dirt I'll be happy   getting it above surface will be last concern

[leeave96 487]

The depth of your plow will most likely be determined by how high it is off the ground when lifted. You want to set the plow so it's plowing a 12 inch wide furrow - that's what makes it a 12 inch plow. The depth is usually (if I recall correctly) 1/2 the width, so 6 inches in your case, but again it might be 5 or 4 inches, depending on how much lift you have.

The tip of my plow is usually about 1-2 inches off the ground when lifted. To ease raising the plow, when you get to the end of the furrow, back-up a few inches. That will take the wedge and weight off the plow and make it easier to lift. I do this manual or hydro lift. If you start to spin, lift on the plow and you will get some additional down force. If the spinning continues, don't take a full 12 inch slice - you'll find a sweat spot.

The heal of the plow should be about 1/2 to an inch off the ground. If the plow is set up right, it will pull itself to a depth that is a balance between the downward plow angle and the draft pull. If you have enough lift height/depth, in an ideal world, your cable would have slack in it and only a pull would be on the plow, yet maintain a desired depth.

If your round disc, the coulter, wants to force the plow to ride up on the sod, take it off. If it's working correctly and slicing the ground, you can pull with less force.

Good luck with the plowing and take some pics!

Bill

[Pullstart 63,289]

Thanks Bill!  I need to take pictures of the little horse, I haven't posted any since the ags and tri ribs or anything.  Worked hard and neglected of a photo shoot...