What does the chain do on a pull type two bottom plow?

Will Herring · Oct 27, 2012

I've got an old steel wheel two bottom plow, and there's a chain that holds this hook that runs from near the hitch point to an angle iron point just next to where the ram attaches. What the heck is it for, and do I need to do anything special with this chain when I go to trying to plow with it?

Janicholson · Oct 27, 2012

I believe it is a hitch trip that releases the hitch from the drawbar clevis. the intent is to prevent a root or rock from breaking tractor or plow parts if hooked massively into an immovable object. It is probably the correct length now. Make sure you use breakaway couplings on the lift to avoid hot oil everywhere and on you! Jim

JMS./MN · Oct 27, 2012

The coiled thing on the front reminds me of something I saw on here months ago, then saw on a WD Allis drawbar..only one ever...some kind of a cushion or release?

Will Herring · Oct 27, 2012

(quoted from post at 00:20:45 10/28/12) I believe it is a hitch trip that releases the hitch from the drawbar clevis. the intent is to prevent a root or rock from breaking tractor or plow parts if hooked massively into an immovable object. It is probably the correct length now. Make sure you use breakaway couplings on the lift to avoid hot oil everywhere and on you! Jim

Yeah, the hydraulic coupling would easily disengage if under stress, no worries. However, that intrigues me about the chain, because it appears to be under quite a bit of tension while the plow is in the "raised position" and only when in the lowered position (as pictured) does it have any sort of "slack".

Will Herring · Oct 27, 2012

(quoted from post at 00:37:58 10/28/12) The coiled thing on the front reminds me of something I saw on here months ago, then saw on a WD Allis drawbar..only one ever...some kind of a cushion or release?

I can't figure out the coiled thing, either. The owner was an AC person, and I've actually put it on my WD but haven't tried to plow with it yet... Possibly an AC pull type plow? It turns into a regular pin hitch on the other side of it.

Dell (WA) · Oct 28, 2012

Will........dunno about yer particular chain question ...but... many times ploughmen would LOOP a chain to last plowshare to PULL-UNDER tall stalks (weeds, corn & sunflowers) under the soil slice for decomposition. .......Dell

willie in mn · Oct 28, 2012

Will
You are smarter than you thought, figured it out & not realized it.
IIRC, your plow tail wheel does not move when raising the plow, just acts as a depth guide when plowing.
When you raise the plow, pressure is exerted on the main wheels, raising the shares. Since the rear of plow is heavier than the hitch, it would tend to stay down & raise the hitch. With the chain adjusted right, the drawbar holds the hitch down, so the chain raises the rear of plow, keeping the rear share from scraping the ground. With the plow in the ground, move the chain in the notched bracket to allow 2 or 3 links of slack. If hooked to a tractor with different height drawbar, move it 1 or 2 links to make up difference.
Older JD plows had a solid rod arrangement to do the same thing. Free floating, with a crank type nut for adjustment.
That's my opinion, maybe someone will challenge me with a better one.
Willie

Nebraska Cowman · Oct 28, 2012

The flat coil spring thingy is a release hitch made
to let go when the plow hits an obstruction. I've
never seen one exactly like that but I'm confident
that's what it is. I'd say the chain and rod is to
hold up the tongue so you can re-hook without having
to get off the tractor. You want to make sure you
have auto-disconnects on your hoses.

bradley martin · Oct 28, 2012

I believe the chain was to stabilize the plow when in the transport (raised) position.Otherwise the plow had a bad tendency to "snake" all over the place.

Traditional Farmer · Oct 28, 2012

The 'coiled thing' is a piece off an early AC WD it provided some Impact protection when hitting a rock.The chain keeps the plow balanced when its being transported.

Will Herring · Oct 28, 2012

Thank you all. As soon as I can get the plow shares scoured up a bit by hand, and greased, I'll take her out and try her before the weather gets too cold to monkey with.

Walt Davies · Oct 28, 2012

The lever is the trip for the hitch the chain sets the amount of
tension on the lever befor it will trip. Make a few runs and if it
trips to easy then shorten the chain. On my 3 bottom plow it
has a spring to set the tension but it's old like me and wants to
trip all the time.
Walt

What does the chain do on a pull type two bottom plow?

Will Herring

Well-known Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

JMS./MN

Member

Will Herring

Well-known Member

Will Herring

Well-known Member

Dell (WA)

Well-known Member

willie in mn

Well-known Member

Nebraska Cowman

Well-known Member

bradley martin

Well-known Member

Traditional Farmer

Well-known Member

Will Herring

Well-known Member

Walt Davies

Well-known Member

Similar threads