Moldboard Plow Horsepower?

[pfrederi 17,147]

Just spent 90 minutes plowing spring out of driveways (6" of new snow and more coming)

But it is time to think spring. I got a moldboard plow last fall and need to mount its clevis hitch on a tractor. Question is which one. I see pictures here of various models plowing but the dirt looks like good dirt i have mostly clay and a whole bunch of rocks.

How much HP and 8 speed or hydro???

[qd-16 14]

My 856 with a k-181 has no problems pulling a moldboard plow. getting enough traction seems to be the biggest issue for me.

[farmer 1,075]

I would agree with Al,

Its not so much about grunt, as grip. So good tyres and weight.

Transmission?..depends on how strong your arm is. :thumbs:

[squonk 38,928]

In the 60's my dad plowed a fairly large garden with a 604 with the factory "Town & Countries" on the back with no weights and chains and the stock 6 HP Tecky hand grenade supplying the power. :wh:

[Jim_M 178]

RJ's are only 4 horsepower and they plow just fine. I prefer a manual transmission over a hydro for plowing, but either one will do the job.

[VinsRJ 721]

RJ's are only 4 horsepower and they plow just fine.

Even a RJ35 with 3.5hp plows pretty well..... although really slow. :thumbs:

[mavfreak 11]

slow is the key, get better traction that way!

[6wheeler 586]

I agree as well. Traction is more important than horsepower. You are only pulling either a 8", 10" or12" plow. Of course, more horsepower will make it pull easier but if you spend more time spinning your wheels than pulling, it will seem like you ain't accomplishing anything. I like the 8spd myself, because I can change gears as conditions change. Also, I think an important point. If you go too fast, it is hard to control your tractor. But by the same token, if you go too slow the dirt will not roll over. As you do it more and get to see what the machine is capable of, the better job you can do. If you do get good traction and the plow is working well it can actually lift the front of your tractor through torque. This makes it interesting to steer and stay in the furrow. But, it sure is fun .

[WHEELMAN 1]

I plow 4 or 5 gardens every spring with

a one bottom plow with my 1276. It has

a k301 12 hp. I need to use chains with

rear wheel weights and weight on the nose

to keep it in the row. 8 or 12 hp means nothing

without traction. good luck !

[SNYFIX 12]

It's a trick but alot of how you plow is how the plow is adjusted. Thats what the hand crank (Brinley brand) does for you. To much "down" and the plow digs right in making plowing almost impossible. To much "up" and the plow will just ride along on the top of the ground doing nothing. Properly set the plow and the tractor will work perfect together.

[squonk 38,928]

I agree as well. Traction is more important than horsepower. You are only pulling either a 8", 10" or12" plow. Of course, more horsepower will make it pull easier but if you spend more time spinning your wheels than pulling, it will seem like you ain't accomplishing anything. I like the 8spd myself, because I can change gears as conditions change. Also, I think an important point. If you go too fast, it is hard to control your tractor. But by the same token, if you go too slow the dirt will not roll over. As you do it more and get to see what the machine is capable of, the better job you can do. If you do get good traction and the plow is working well it can actually lift the front of your tractor through torque. This makes it interesting to steer and stay in the furrow. But, it sure is fun .

My dad used to lean back against the backrest on the 604 and the front wheels would be way in the air. I don't recall how straight the rows ended up being :wh:

[boatman 3]

:wh: HI, I plowed garden with c-125 8 speed for years. I added 25lb

nose weight and was able to always plow in second high. had 50lb

weights on each rear wheel and chains. I was pulling a brinly 10" plow.

Used to plow with a hydro but after a couple rounds, oil would be so

hot hydraulic would hardly raise plow. I prefer manual tranny for hard

pulling :thumbs:

[d200 0]

I prefer using hydro for plowing and tilling but I like my manual for pushing snow around. I wish I had a low option for my b tractor. Good luck

[pfrederi 17,147]

Thanks for the input . I am going to use a C-81 I got at the show last year. I have some 6.00x12 snow tires, some chains, and 50 lb weights for each side. I will swap out the front wheels for some older narrower ones, some where I have weights for front wheels.. Going to be awhile yet, still have snow on the ground....

[Dale 0]

my C-81 does a great job. I have 105lbs on each wheel, plow setup and traction are more inportant than hp. But I would like to have a hydro so my son could plow without my help lifting at the end of the row.

these pics are from last fall