Fasthitch 3 bottom plow

LRRifleman · Apr 16, 2011

Hello!

Today I was checking used farm equipment dealers for a used 3pt disc harrow, and came across a No 311 (or perhaps 301) McCormick 3 bottom fasthitch plow in what appeared to be very good condition.

I have 3 questions:
1) Would this 3 bottom fasthitch plow fit my Model 340 Utility's fasthitch without utilizing spacers?
2) Would anyone have an idea (ball park) of what a used 3 bottom fasthitch plow would sell for?
3) Is there a wesite (or web page) that would identify the models of fasthitch implements that would fit my Model 340?

Thanks!

old · Apr 16, 2011

I think a 3 bottom would be a little much for a 340 since it has 34HP give or take a little bit. A 2 bottom would probably be more like it. Also if I remember right the fast hitch set up pretty much is a one size fits all or it has always worked that way with the stuff I have had. As for what one would sell for $150 to around $500. I have a 2 bottom disk plow I have been trying to sell but so far no go so I keep on using it. I have it on a 300U

LRRifleman · Apr 16, 2011

According to external_link, my 340 has a 47 HP engine, and it recommends (or shows) the tractor is rated for 3 plows (http://www.external_link/farm-tractors/000/3/2/320-international-harvester-340.html). I purchased a Ford Model 501 2 bottom plow a couple of years ago, which is a 3 pt hitch style. After my accident, I have little use of/strength in my left arm, so the fasthitch style plow has some appeal. I purchased (earlier this year) a fasthitch sickle mower which had the small points, with the intention of making a set of spacers so I could use it on my 340. My previous sickle mower (an IH 1400 counter balanced) is just too much to manhandle with a bum arm and trashed legs!

Shawn in PA · Apr 16, 2011

And also according to Tractor Data, that 47hp is engine hp, not drawbar hp. The drawbar has a rating of 36. I don"t care what Tractor Data says, a 340 wouldn"t touch 3 bottoms in my area...Shawn

LRRifleman · Apr 16, 2011

(quoted from post at 19:31:47 04/16/11) And also according to Tractor Data, that 47hp is engine hp, not drawbar hp. The drawbar has a rating of 36. I don"t care what Tractor Data says, a 340 wouldn"t touch 3 bottoms in my area...Shawn

Not trying to be argumentative ... I thought unless a specific implement had a specfic deand (i.e.: PTO hp for a baler or sickle), that you went by engine hp. Heck, my last "farming" experience was in '72 when I ran my deceased grandfather's farm for a few years. Now, looking to supplement my pension and SSD by doing a little "recreational" farming ... hence I do not hav to contend with careless drivers!

Life tends to get real "sucky" after a Cadillac tries to have you for breakfast!

mkirsch · Apr 16, 2011

There are three basic fast hitch classes:

1. Category 0 one-point - Cub/100/130/140. Uses "large" points.
2. Category I two-point - Super C, 200, 230, 240. Uses "small" points.
3. Category II two-point - Everything else. Uses "large" points.

* - The category names are not official. I've heard them in passing, and they're just a convenient way to equate the fast hitches to tractor size.

** - The 1206 3pt hitch is actually a "Category III" fast hitch. The arms are removable, but no implements were ever made for it AFAIK, and 3pt had pretty much taken over by then.

The spacing between points is the same on Category I and II, so ANY two-point fast hitch implement will fit your 340.

Worst case you will need some square stock spacers for Category I implements. You can tack weld the spacers on the implement to make it convenient.

Shawn in PA · Apr 16, 2011

Drawbar horsepower factors in horsepower losses as a result of transferring power through the drivetrain, and equates the parasitic losses of engine hp into a drawbar rating. This would be the tractors actual working hp. Take a 100 engine horsepower hydro tractor and hook it to 5 bottoms. Theres only about 75 (+-) hitting the ground. Not a good 5 plow tractor....
On a 340, 3 bottoms will be more of a hinderance, regardless of soil type. That has a small cube higher revving engine, and I think 3 would overload it, and pull it down very quickly. Just my opinion...Shawn

LRRifleman · Apr 16, 2011

Shawn, I do not know everyting ... I am just a reformed (retired) school teacher being a disabled single dad raising 2 toddlers ... I appreciate your opinion ... itis restoring a realistic education on farming that is a whole lot more "technical" than what I experienced growing up. I learned to drive on 1940/1950 vintage Allis Chalmers and Fords with 3 pts! Honestly, I can make due with the 2 bottom I have ... just going to manhandle it a bit more than what I want ... Its hell not going to work ... but life is hell when you can't do a conventional job due to accident injuries ... but doing a little farming can help while away a day while the kid are in school and you can accomplish something without having to answer to someone else! I am definitely old enough to know what I don'tknow, and ask to get advice and answers!

Shawn in PA · Apr 16, 2011

I wish i knew half of what some of these guys on here forgot. I am no expert either, and I'm certain someone who has more to offer on the subject will chime in. Tractor data can be misleading and is often completely wrong. Why can't you look for a 2 bottom FH plow? Again if you wanna buy an try it, thats up to you. I just think you'll be disappointed. Respectfully...Shawn

Anonymous-0 · Apr 16, 2011

The 300 ih utilities were 30 HP tractors
and considered a 3 bottom tractor. Our
family had two of them with 3 bottom
fast hitch ih plows. If you stand to ride
the 300u it will pull 3 bottoms with no
problems in 2nd gear.

LRRifleman · Apr 16, 2011

Hi Shawn!

Understood! I am not actually "looking" for a fasthitch plow ... I was out wandering in a used implement dealer's field and happened across the 3 bottom FH plow ... I was looking for a 3pt disc harrow ... I really would like to avoid the expense of a new one at tractor supply. I have almost all of the implements I need to handle the small acreage a freind is leasing me to see if I can do this, before I take the jump on a farm! Last thing I want to experience is that I buy some acreage that I am not physically able to farm!

LRRifleman · Apr 16, 2011

(quoted from post at 20:35:04 04/16/11) The 300 ih utilities were 30 HP tractors
and considered a 3 bottom tractor. Our
family had two of them with 3 bottom
fast hitch ih plows. If you stand to ride
the 300u it will pull 3 bottoms with no
problems in 2nd gear.

Hi Todd,

Thanks for wading in! May I ask why you say "stand to ride"? Also, is that 2d with the torque amplifier engaged or not?

Shawn in PA · Apr 16, 2011

Here's a link to a discussion on the farmall 340. I understand yours is the utility variant, but it's a good reference. Take note of the late Hugh Mackay's posts. He was most definately a true I/H expert, and could support his statements with many years of field experience using I/H equipment. Hugh is regarded as one of the greats on this forum, and his posts are invaluable. Very few would disagree with Hugh. Even fewer would win the disagreement. Respectfully Shawn
http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=farmall&th=407980

LRRifleman · Apr 16, 2011

Shawn, thank you!

IH fan · Apr 16, 2011

tractordata (and IH) rated it as a 3 plow tractor, and I remember seeing them with a 3x14" Fast Hitch plow on them. If a Super C @ 20.7 DBHP will handle a 2x14" (and I know for a fact they will), I'd think a 340 with 32.4 DBHP should handle a 3x14" in many soils... especially with the TA to help thru the hard spots.
Having said that, I'll qualify it by saying that with a 50 year old tractor, it would probably be best to not load it up like a new one.

soybeanjoe · Apr 17, 2011

Is the plow a 3x14" or 3x16" ? That & your soi type & plowing depth will make a difference in whether your tractor will handle it or not. Back in the day we pulled a 3x16" fasthitch plow with a 450. In our Sable & Ipava loams (black soils) the plow was about all the tractor wanted in 2nd gear. The 40 had oversized sleeves & pistons which gave it a little extra hp. On sandy soils it would pull the plow easily in 3rd.

evilboweivel · Apr 17, 2011

make a deal with the dealer
you will buy the plow for xdollars IF your tractor can pull it on your place for a one day trial OR rent it with the rental price going towards the price to buy it if it works out
Ron

Mark Peters · Apr 17, 2011

My Farmall 340 has all it wants pulling my 211 fast hitch plow with 2- 16'' bottoms. We have heavy clay soil here , and unless you have light,sandy soil, I think you will struggle with a 3 bottom plow.
On a side note, not to be a smarty pants or anything, but just so the correct information gets put out on this- the 240 Farmall and Utility versions both have the large FH sockets and use the large point fast hitch implements (unless they have the 3 pt FH) The Super C,200 and 230 are the only tractors that can use the small 2 point implements.

LRRifleman · Apr 17, 2011

Thank you for the information about tractors that use a small point FH.

This now leads to a dilemna! The FH sickle mower I purchased is supposed to have been taken off of a Super C. Today I measured the FH points on the sickle mower, and compared them with the FH points on the FH drawbar that came with my tractor, and there was now a visible difference! What part of the FH point is different between the small and large points?

Thanks!

Al L. in Wisc. · Apr 17, 2011

="LRRifleman; it is the height. Thus the need for the spacers. Several years ago I purchased two fast-hitch sickle mowers at auctions. Thinking I could use them on my Farmall 340 to mow weeds the landlord had been letting go for years...wrong. A fast-hitch isn't always a fast-hitch. Besides being small points, they were manufactured for the older tractors with the rockshaft alongside the gas tank; Farmall C, etc. Yup, me learned the hard way.

Al L. in Wisc. · Apr 17, 2011

856-297-9521 you could try that # as he listed a three bottom f-h plow on craigslist late last month and maybe he would have a lead on a two bottom.

LRRifleman · Apr 17, 2011

Hello Al,

At what point is the height measured? I checked the height at the rear of the "lock in" notch, and the height was damn similar ... within 1/16"!

Mark Peters · Apr 17, 2011

(quoted from post at 15:26:34 04/17/11)
Hello Al,

At what point is the height measured? I checked the height at the rear of the "lock in" notch, and the height was damn similar ... within 1/16"!

You measure the height right in front of the stop block on the under side of the prong. The small point will be 2 1/2"high and a large point will be 3" high. That`s why earlier in the post they were talking about 1/2" thick filler plates.Thats the difference in height between the two. Filler plates will take up the slack in the large fast hitch sockets so you can use the small point implements in a large point tractor.

FC Andy · Apr 17, 2011

To answer your value question, I've been looking around at fast hitch plows off and on. Just yesterday, Saturday, I bought a #311 fast hitch plow. 3-14's, To pull with my 450D. Plow has little paint on it, but original decals are legible and the plow itself is in like new condition. $400 bought it, plus my fuel to go get it in NE Indiana (I'm in SE Michigan). The price I paid seems to be in line for this plow in this condition, looking on Craigslist, and the like. As for can you pull it? On light ground, maybe. On heavier ground like I live on? Probably not.

Just My $.02 -Andy

LRRifleman · Apr 17, 2011

Mark: Thank you! I will double check my implements!

LRRifleman · Apr 17, 2011

Andy,

Thank you! I appreciate the valuation! Need to think on it. Moved my Ford 501 (2 bottom). Do not know if it was the climb up or the jostling of the plow to hook it onto the lift arms, I developed another kidney bleed. (I have had 6 ureter stents in the past year and a half ... we do not know if the kidney problems [triggered by stones] they are trying to correct occurred in the accident or from the heavy dose of anti-biotics used to treat me after the accident.) Either way, need to do something if I want to do a little farming!

Thanks all!

Farmallhal · Apr 17, 2011

Hey Mark, Remember the emails we had a couple months ago on the 240 drawbars being unique even though they are large point tractors? I believe after getting my 240 here my drawbar has the eleven holes just like a Super C, 200 and 230 tractors. I think the difference between the 240 and fast hitch drawbars for the larger fast hitch tractors that only have the nine hole drawbars like on the 560 the number of holes is the sole difference hence the reason for different part numbers. Have enough issues to deal with on my 240 but working through them slowly but making progress, Hal.

Mark Peters · Apr 17, 2011

Hey Hal, That would make sense as my 240 FH drawbar has 11 holes too and my 300U FH drawbar only has 9.

Fasthitch 3 bottom plow

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