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Never plowed a field

M

Mr. T. Minnesota

Member
Forum,
Had to figure out which site to go to to find info on something my dad never taught me, how to plow a field. I just purchased a two bottom trailer plow. I plan to use my '41 Cat to plow a field that has not been turned for 40 years in northeast Minnesota. Have done some research but would like any tips for a novice 72 year old x farm kid. Any and all advice will be appreciated!
 
Depends on a few things, look at the field, would it be better to throw the dirt to the outside or inside of field. If field has been molboard plowed in the last 50 years one can usually tell and plow the opposite way, in or out. If you want to end up with more dirt in middle of field, the start in the middle and plow both ways to center of field and vise-versa. You will have a open furrow either in center of field or outside, What do you want and what is best for that field.
 
I agree with lugnuts i always try to plow in, if i can, hate a ridge around the outside ring of the field,I hope you got a wide front tractor,Its easier for a beginner, have fun, i still go to our local plow day every year !!
 
You might look for some YouTube videos of plow days for visual help and ideas or maybe there's one giving some actual instructions on how to plow a field! (That might be plough if it's from across the pond!)
 
Found one of several YouTube videos - sorry that this one is an 3ph integral plough! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFF3AoZw45o
 
just what size is the field will determine how to plow it then how is the field
shaped that is another thing to figure square or rectangle fields you started
in 1/3 and threw the dirt together end up with one dead furrow then plowed it
shut now that would be for a field 20 acres or less. I learned very early how
to plow the dead furrows with 3-14 with the NEW 49 M PULLED A HARROW
 
Lets start at the very beginning. What is the
condition of the field?? Is this a field of tall grass?
Or is this ground short clipped from being cut or
pasture. Or perhaps a stubble field, if stubble, was it
a corn crop leaving plenty of stalks on the field? Or
a grain/soy stubble?
The reason I ask these questions is because
many of the old ploughs didnt handle trash well,
and you wil need to deal with the residue on top of
the field before you try to plough, or your plough will
just plug, and you wont enjoy this experience at all.
Many ways to deal with residue if you have it,
chopping it with a rotary mower, or dragging a set of
discs over the field to cut junk into short pieces so it
will pass through the plough
 

I doubt the type front end is an issue for him. He doesn't give a model but I expect his '41 CAT has tracks. So he is looking at something like the set up in this picture borrowed from the internet.

mvphoto74622.jpg
 
If you plow one way one year and the opposite way the next, you avoid creating any "ridge."

Walk the field, and you may be able to find evidence of the previous "dead furrow" from the last time it was plowed. It will be a slight depression that runs the length of the field. That will be where you start plowing, and determines which direction you plow. If the dead furrow is along the edge, plow out. If it's in the middle, plow in.
 
If your 41 cat is a D-4 it will be easier if you have more plow. 4-5 bottom on a -4 works pretty good. You can plow on land which is like the picture posted already. You set level and are out of the furrow. Easier on the body as we get older. Like Bruce said if it has a lot of trash you will need to deal with that first by disking mowing or burning all depending on area. Since it has not been worked in 50 years it may work good if it was pasture that has been kept short. IF a lot of tall dead material that has to be dealt with. If you want it for a regular crop then I would soil test it and apply the lime before plowing as well as the potash. This will help with getting the soil into condition for a crop. then how are you planning on working it down from furrows.
 
Where are you located in N MN, I don't see you on the members map? We live near Bemidji but our tractors live at our tree farm on the CA
border. My dad never trusted me to plow either, lots of disking and cultivating, and mowing soilbank! With a wheel tractor you normally run
one rear tire in the furrow, but I don't think you should run a track in the furrow, you would get too much dirt inside. You should be able
to offset the hitch a little to keep the Cat on level ground. I found lots of information online after we bought a Ferguson 2 bottom. My
uncle in W North Dakota did a lot of farming with a Cat because his land was too hilly for the wheel tractors of the 50's. As soon as the
big 4WD tractors with duals came out the Cat got parked!
 
Dont get discouraged,old plows are worn,and will need to repaired . Hard un plow fields are tuff on old plows and in many cases wont go into the
ground. .
I suggest getting the book called (better plowing put out by ihc . May be one on eBay. .
Theres a different adjustment for opening up a field , then adjusted to plow in furrow.
Find a mentor to help you thats plowed with similar plows to help you
 
Look up, Tractor Plow Adjustment and Operation, by Dale O Hull, a 1949 Iowa State University extension publication, This is a veery complete source of information regarding plow setup. Look your plow over, Beverly worn or broken parts will make a huge difference between plowing and just stirring dirt, post some
pictures of your set up, the many eyes here may find things you don't know about.Most of all have fun!
Mike
 
Somewhere, possibly on this site, there are many diagrams of different ways to plow. Like Bruce said. You may want to mow, dusc or both before you get started. Another thing that will greatly affect your outcome is the moisture in the soil and type of soil.
 
Another thing that will greatly affect your outcome is the moisture in the soil and type of soil.

You got that right. We had a plow day Saturday. Most of those small plows, both of my 2 bottoms included, were riding up in a lot of
places in this dry ground. About the only ones staying in were an Oliver 1850 with a 4 bottom 546 plow, a JD 80 pulling a 4 bottom
and believe it or not, a little JD M with a 1 bottom mounted. I've got some work to do with the chisel plow to straighten things
out, but it's because the ground was so dry, not for lack of trying or enthusiasm.
 
Funny thing about this member is he never
never comes back to acknowledge the replys
to his post. No questions answered, no
thanks for advice given. Nothing.
I have always wondered why.
 
Apologies for not replying to the posted responses. My wife is requiring extra attention due to nnalert situation.
With that being said I will try to answer questions/advice given.
I picked up the plow yesterday and it is a IH No. 8 Genius trailer type plow. It is very old and seems to be in good condition. One question is how does the lift actually work. I notice there is driver and lever on the left side. Very specific question- what is in that bell shaped driver?
The family farm is 30 miles from the Canadian border not far from the BWCA. The 41 Cat is a R2 gasoline fueled machine in surprisingly very good condition. The field I am turning has not been turned for at least 40 years and the plant growth is minimal and it should be reasonable to turn. I have researched a lot on the internet and have picked up necessary things to do such as fine tuning the way the plow meets the field. Getting started will be trial and error. Sorry for delayed replies and appreciate the forums replies. When I actually get plowing done I will let you know how it went. That will be in a month or two.
 
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