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longmeadow farm 01-22-2013 09:47:24 72.224.6.238 Report to Moderator

I own a restored IH 531 that I use annually for family plow days and perhaps cover an acre or two with my grandchildren in the cab of one of my tractors. In my judgement you have a cross shaft problem. From your problem description your right hand link is too short relative to your left hand link and is pointing the plow to the left. While a slight left bias is usually maintained for 3pt plows you need to keep the plow from moving too far over to the left with a chain link or sway bar. The cross-bar should be used to provide a fine adjustment after proper wheel width has been established. Swing the cross-shaft down so you have approximately 20 - 23 degrees of lead, off the perpendicular... And use a chain to restrict leftward drift of the plow. You also need to level the plow in the plowing position. This is usually achieved with a right hand lift link about 1 inch shorter than the left hand lift link... if the cross shaft is adjusted properly. Many folks will tell you that a properly adjusted 3 pt plow doesn't need sway block or chains or tight sway bars. Maybe so on perfectly flat ground using something like a Ford 8N.. with superior draft capability. AC snap coupler plows didn't need any sway "stuff" either. However, most of us don't plow flat ground and in my case I contour/side hill plow and adjust my semi-mount cross-shaft hydraulically to maintain proper per width of cut, ..and use sway block as per my operators manual. Oh, yes..I mount my 531 to a JD 5320...and keep it rigid with sway bars... it works rather well and rivals my much newer plows. I've been plowing since 1954, so I think I've learned a thing or two about the art.If you don't have a manual..go out and get one. [Reply]   [No Email]