[ Post a Response | Close Window | Print ]

First time plowing with my minis!
Posted by Charlie T at 2014-07-17 20:50:18
We plowed today at Anarchy Acres--the first time for me, for my team, and my homemade plow! What a thrill.





Thanks to everyone on the porch and in the community for providing the inspiration that got me to this point. We are really having fun now!



The plow is a home conversion of a 6 1/2" David Bradley plow I found on craigslist. These plows were built as an attachment for walk behind tractors that were sold by Sears until the early 1960's. My idea for the conversion came from the Brabant two-way plows I have seen on youtube. My plow is the same as a Brabant plow, just with only one right-hand share and no mechanism to flip the bottom or adjust the tilt (the tilt is set to run the bottom flat at 3 1/2" deep, which turned out to be just about right). It ran well enough but it was only just beginning to scour before we were done. It did plug up with trash a few times. But in a good furrow it ran very well and kept both of my hands free to deal with the team, who were learning right along with me today. I'll keep tweaking the design and post more pictures once I get it running better.
Response by grandpafischer at 2014-07-18 05:40:47
Lookin' good there Charlie, I've tought about doing something simular with a plow that I have. How long is the beam ? My father in law once told me that you could not control without handles, but I've often wandered. this gives me inspiration. Grandpa.
Response by Charlie T at 2014-07-18 07:33:15
The plow beam extends about 24" in front of the plow point, and I put the furrow wheel about 9" over. I had to move the furrow wheel a couple of times before I got it placed in the correct position. The land wheel is less critical.

I used the pictures of a brabant plow on this web page to help create my original setup:

http://jardindevoisins.e-monsite.com/pages/les-materiels/charrue-brabant/brabant-plow-adjustments.html


And here is a youtube showing a real brabant plow in use. No handles, just wheels!
Response by Jerry Hicks at 2014-07-18 16:23:00
That's a nice set up and looks like it's doing a real good job!
Response by arlee at 2014-07-19 20:29:54
looks like you need a mini garden to go with your setup:)
Response by M. Burley at 2014-07-20 21:07:48
That would make a great setup for working in raised beds. Just kidding, love the pictures.
Response by Charlie T at 2014-07-21 07:01:47
Thanks for the nice comments! I have a 1/3 acre field and my goal is to be 100% donkey powered at some point. The team is small, but they can pull a lot harder than I can, so they have a use here. I would like to have a little more draft power, though, so a friend is loaning me a third mini this week. Once I have the new donkey trained and I finish building a harness for her, we'll try a three-abreast!
Response by Klaus Karbaumer at 2014-07-23 11:57:06
Way to go, Charlie. I hope you'll find a lot of followers for that kind of very small scale farming.

Post a Response:
1) Enter your name and response.
2) Click "Send" to post your response on the Front Porch bulletin board.
3) Your response will be reviewed for appropriateness before being posted for public view.

Name:
Response:
     
[ Close Window | Print ]

Subscribe Homepage Contact Us
rural heritage logo    PO Box 2067, Cedar Rapids IA 52406-2067
E-Mail: