Pioneer Footlift Sulky Plow

[Kevin Cunningham]

@dominiquer60 40313 wrote:

I am open to the idea that a single bottom horse drawn plow may have a higher level of adjustment than a multi-bottom tractor plow.

I use a tractor currently to do all my plowing and I have to say that I think this to be true. A lot of the problem with plowing in general is the fact the tractors allow us to out muscle many problems with our soil prep. I pull three 16’s that have never been adjusted or replaced, or cared for at all. I can still out plow any draft outfit but it takes an 85 horse tractor. I am not proud of it but it has been an economic reality for me. I am excited to learn about more refinements that could make the system more efficient and subtle. I have yet to pull a draft powered plow, but I can tell from my small experience that the subtle adjustments could make a huge difference in performance. And just for the record, even though I am not in a plow match I still think it is important to have full coverage of the trash on the surface, you will fight it all season if you don’t get it under the first time. This is why it is critical to have the proper tool and adjustment. My “crude” system is able to plow under sod and corn stubble equally well only because I am big and have a lot of un-necessary power. My two cents

[dominiquer60]

@Kevin Cunningham 40338 wrote:

And just for the record, even though I am not in a plow match I still think it is important to have full coverage of the trash on the surface, you will fight it all season if you don’t get it under the first time.

I think that leaving some trash is fine in certain situations depending on the type of trash and the crop that I am seeding/planting next. Having trash on the surface aids in water retention and causes trash to break down quicker with aerobic bacteria, these can be good things and I see “leaving trash uncovered” as another tool in the toolbox. Trash like winter killed oats and peas I don’t even plow, but corn stubble and winter rye I like to tuck right under.

[near horse]

In the old time-honored text from John Deere “The Care and Maintenance of Farm Machinery” the tillage sequence was disc, plow, disc again. Anyone discing down their trash before plowing down? Reducing OM particle size can really help with speed of breakdown.

[Kevin Cunningham]

It also could be a case of different climates. I live in a place were nothing winter kills. We simply don’t have the cold weather to kill plants. So here any sod, or grain stubble left on the surface regrows, and corn stubble, like Erika mentions, messes with any else you are cultivating with including harrows. So yes I follow the advice given in John Deere’s book; disc, plow, disc, harrow. Around here it is know as plow it “up” disc it “down” if that makes sense.

[Author]

Posts