These spring like days in Feb. here in SC are going to ruin me!

I have three haflingers that I want to use on a walking plow. After readinfg both Millers and Moores books, they both suggest using a plow setup for three rather than using a plow designed for two with an big off set to get the off horse in the furrow. Well, being hard headed and not having a three horse plow, I rigged up a brace and large offset clevis to hook up three. It works but not great. I have to do A LOT more to control the plow. So much more that it makes it not worth it to me.

Has any body modified a two horse plow to work with three and how do you do it ? Could you heat the beam with a torch and bend it to get the aliginment you need?

I have Oliver and Chattanoga steel beams available to modify.I have thought about cutting one and welding on a pivot that you could adjust to the situation.

Anybody know where there is a three horse walking plow for sale?

I thought you would have known where there was one for sale! Only one I have right now is an Oliver 20, they are 13", the book calls that a 3 horse plow, but a lot of folks use 2 horses. The beam is supposed to be right for 3 horses. Call me if you want to look at it. Also, Vic Campbell has used 3 horses on an Oliver 10, so he could tell you what kind of front bracket he used. I used it at his house a few years ago but didnt like the way it felt just like you mentioned, needed too much pressure to control the plow.

The best way I have found is to get a wooden beam plow. They usually offer more side to side adjustment in the beam. I have a vulcan 12 with a wooden beam. It can be shifted to make it a 3 horse plow.

Brabant,I was working on this three abreast plow set up last spring and called Vic about what I was doing wrong and what to do. He gave good advice and we were making adjustments when I got another call from him saying he was on his way to help! We got to the field, plowed with it and he was satisfied. I was too at the time, but the more I used it the less I liked it. Could you check the beam on the Oliver 20 and see if it is in the right position according to Moore and Miller's books?

I'm a little concerned that 13" might be a little much for my three, but I guess I don't have too plow the whole 13" either.

I've gone back to places that I have seen wooden beam plows over the years but haven't seen any that were adjustable. I know they were made, but I just haven't been able to find one. Or maybe I don't know exactly whay I'm looking at.

The Vulcan 12 I have with an adjustable beam has a bolt in the back end of the beam right between the handles and a slot on each side of the beam that the bolts rides in . The bolt can be loosened and the beam slid either way, left or right.

Three abreast on a walking plow don't give you much advantage over two as you are pulling not from the center of the draft but crowding the landside into the furrow wall. Probably better to just change horses more often.

That is what I'm experiencing trying to use three abreast with a two horse plow . A Friend of mine up the road has an IH set up for three and plows like a dream. Wish I could find one like it.