Needing Plow

[homesteader824]

I just bought a Ford 8N, and now I'm in the process of finding the implements I want. The 8N was referred to as a two-bottom plow tractor, but it has been suggested to me that I would be better off with a single-bottom plow. I live in the Ozarks, with lots of clay and often rocks in the soil. I won't have too big of an area for the single-bottom plow, but the two-bottom plows seem to be more common.

Does anyone here have any experience plowing in the Ozarks or other clay soil?

[Old Vet]

A two bottom plow works fine but not a deep as it will go. Your teactior has a load and depth gauge on it so it will adjust itself as needed.

[FarmboyBill]

Im positive there will be more than one at the sale I go to This Sat. But that's not going to do you any good. IF you get one, and you have big rock, might as well take off the rolling cutters if it has them.

[Mark Twain]

Dearborn (Ford) and Ferguson made 2 bottom plows specifically for the 8n/T30 tractors and they made them in either a moldboard or disc plow.
I own a Dearborn disc plow and like it since it rides over rocks better than a moldboard and is good for breaking new ground. The moldboard plow does turn over the soil better but in any case you will have to either disc or rototill the plot to get a good seed bed.

[Phil V.]

It can handle a 2 bottom 12" plow in clay ground. I used to plow small gardens with a 9n and used a plow that size with it.

[FarmboyBill]

Took a pk out to the sale I go to to sell Sat. Yup, I saw a 1 bottom already setting there, and a 2 bottom coming in as I was leaving. Both 3pt

[blanket]

2 bottom keep good shares on it.

[bigjon]

local C/L has 2btm 14" for$ 325-good price

[FarmboyBill]

Id bet, at the sale IF I see them sell, theyl go for way under $200

[FarmboyBill]

In CL the owner sets them in at their price. At the auction I go to, top bidder gets it.

[Johnny Dolittle]

Those old Ford and Ferguson plows are mostly obsolete .... you can not get parts or if you do find them you will pay dearly. Also most of them did not have trip bottoms so if you hit a rock you break a point.

Those little tractors will pull 2 12's in heavy soil and in decent soil 2 14's if you have good tread and lots of weights on the tractor.

There are some single bottom plows made by various small implement companies using an Oliver Radex bottom. These companies made the frame and bought the Oliver bottom. One company I know of is "International" (not International Harvester) ... the other is "Pittsburgh" .... and there are others. Parts are available for Oliver Radex.... they were a popular plow .... Actually all of the new Amish manufactured horse drawn plows use Oliver Radex.

A single bottom 14 of 16 inch plow would work well for you and if plowing with one bottom you can travel much faster and wont need to have you tractor excessively weighted

You can also take one of the bottoms off of a 2 bottom... but usually the second bottom has a bit more of a landslide.... and many have a rolling landslide. If you take off the second bottom you need to take the landslide off of it and install on the first bottom.

For hillside plowing I prefer a 3 ph plow with a hillside lever.

[FarmboyBill]

Ha, If you hit a rock with a plow being pulled by an 8N All that's gonna happen is the tractor will stop, but the operator might not lol

[Johnny Dolittle]

If the plow has cast steel parts they will break ...

Those "N" tractors had lots of power for weighing only about 2500 lbs

usually running out of power is not the issue.... traction is usually the issue

[FarmboyBill]

yup, theys lite