Something to think about, in push plows

[FarmboyBill]

The handles on my low wheel push plow are bad. I got into Farmer Brown Site, and he had handles of varioluos sizes up to 7ft.

DO YOU THINK THAT, AT THAT LENGTH, IT WOULD BE EASIER TO PUSH???
OR do you think it would make any difference at all? There $18 00 more than standard length handles at $34 oo. BUT, If it mnake it easier to push I wouldnt care bout the money. I realize also that it would be harder to nagavate in my 18 X 36 fenced garden, but in a open garden that wouldnt be such a consideration.

[Yellow Creek]

FarmBoy


I made my own wheel hoe based on an old firefly design. The wheel is off of a wheelbarrow, the handle is tubing. I had some unistrut welded on to mount attachments. What I like about the design is that I push it from my chest. When I was a kid I got the job of cutting the lawn with an reel lawnmower. Even then I recognized pushing from the chest chest leaning into the work was much easier than pushing from the waist. I use my wheelhoe to weed the rows in my ¾ acre garden. I can do it much faster than I can with a rototiller. Leaning into the hoe pushing from the chest area is soooo much easier and doesn't require the back and forth work that regular wheelhoe designs require. My legs get a workout not my arms or back. It also makes use of the weight I've gained over the years.

[Old Vet]

You need to get the handles that make you stand up straight. That may make it a little easier on you.

[FarmboyBill]

Yellow Creek. I understand what your saying. Im just wondering IF, pushing from the chest, as you do would be easier OR NOT< IF you were pushing that way at an object, the wheel, whic h was further away from you, OR NOT.

OV, I dont think I stand up straight any more, anyhow. BUT, for the way I stand, the ones on my high wheel, that are metal seem just fine, FOR HIGHTH.

[joebill]

Can't say about easyier pushing, but, surprisingly, if it matters, longer handles make it easier to go in a straight line. How do I know? From painting parking stripes on asphalt with a 4" paint roller.....Joe

[FarmboyBill]

I think your right JB. Seems like theres more resistance to applied pressure, the nearer to you that you are applying it. I would almost certainly believe that, IF I knew the effect the actual implement attached to the plow effects things. I WOULD THINK, That since its further out, the same theory applies

[FarmboyBill]

I think another benifit to longer handles, iks that, the actual part where you put your hands would be pointing, at the ends closer to the ground, rather than thereabouts 1/2 way between the ground and the operators shoulders.

[vallyfarm]

Just as in tractor or horse plowing, the most important thin is the proper angle the plow contacts the soil. A shorter handle, like a top link will cause a steeper angle to the plane, while a longer handle will make a shallower angle. Find the sweet spot and you can cut the work in half almost. This angle will always be the same for each plow, but your height will change the angle. Have your kid hold , and then you, and you should see what I mean. Soooo, the taller user's height will lengthen the needed handle. Mike