Side draft is not as critical on a sulky plow as on a walking plow. Side draft results from having to move the hitch clevis toward the land from the plow’s true line of draft when using a three-abreast team, to allow the right horse (when using a right-hand plow, or the left horse on a lefthand plow) to walk in the furrow. This side draft causes the plow to try to run at an angle to the forward motion of the team. Excessive side draft causes increased wear on the plow, uneven furrows, and increased draft, although a certain amount of side draft is counteracted by the plow wheels and may be a good thing, as when plowing on hillsides where the side draft may help hold the plow in position.
For a sulky plow, the horizontal line of draft is about 2" to 3" to the furrow side of the shin, and parallel to the open furrow. On most sulky plows, if three horses are hitched abreast and an outside horse walks in the open furrow, side draft is sure to result. This side draft occurs because the center of power of a three-abreast is farther away from the furrow wall than the plow’s true line of draft, causing the horses on the land to pull at an angle to the open furrow. As a result, the front of the plow is forced toward the furrow, and the bottom has a tendency to run out.
This side draft, if not excessive, may be largely offset by angling the furrow wheel toward the furrow wall just enough to keep the plow from shifting out. The side draft also forces the landside of the plow against the furrow wall. If the furrow wheel must be angled to the point that it crushes, or tries to climb up the furrow wall, adjust the hitch to lessen the angle and try to reduce the side draft.
On high-lift (framed) plows, when the center of pull is hitched to the plow’s true line of draft, the rear furrow wheel should be either straight or angled slightly to lead away from the furrow wall. If the hitch cannot be made on the true line of draft, the resulting side draft may be counteracted to some degree by setting the front furrow wheel to angle toward the furrow wall, and the rear wheel to angle farther away from the furrow wall.
A tandem hitch eliminates the possibility of side draft and allows three or four horses to be used. Plow equalizers are available designed to eliminate side draft when using a 4-abreast team.
A sulky plow equipped with a tongue should be set as close as possible to the center of the space between the horses. Most plows have an adjustment that allows the tongue to be moved sideways.
Usually a 40" doubletree with a twohorse team on a 14" sulky plow results in the team’s center of power and the plow’s line of draft being nearly in line and causes little side draft. When using three horses, with a 55" evener and a 33" doubletree, hitch the evener to the plow clevis approximately 8" to land of the plow’s center of draft to keep the right horse (when using a right-hand plow, or the left horse on a left-hand plow) in the furrow.
If you’re having a problem plowing, before making any adjustments be sure you’re familiar with the procedures described in the accompanying paragraphs and drawings. If you make any adjustment that doesn’t correct the problem, return that adjustment to its former position before trying something else.
Probably the most common (and most frustrating) cause of poor plowing is the failure of the moldboard to scour. Temporarily setting the coulter wide or plowing deeper may help get the moldboard polished. Running the plow fast in light, sandy soil should do the job as well. Once the moldboard has attained a bright land polish, preserve it by liberally coating the polished parts with grease after each use.
If the moldboard is rusty, remove rust with a wire brush or sandpaper. If it has been painted or varnished—primarily a problem with a new or freshly painted plow—clean off the coating with paint remover.
Non scouring may be affected by speed. Plow bottoms are designed to run at a certain speed. If the operation is too slow, especially in sticky soil, non scouring will result. Poor scouring may also result from excessive side draft, causing the plow to run crooked. Finally, check adjustments and make sure the plow is level. Once you have a bright, shiny moldboard, if you are still having trouble, the following solutions may help.
Plow won’t take a full cut—
* Make sure the furrow wheel assembly is set correctly.
* Move the hitch clevis toward the furrow.
* Check the angle of the furrow wheel.
Furrow wheel tries to climb the furrow wall—
* Make sure the furrow wheel assembly is set correctly.
* Move the hitch clevis toward the land.
* Check the angle of the furrow wheel.
Plow won’t penetrate or stay in the ground—
* Check the share for wear.
* Move the hitch point up.
* In hard ground, check the coulter adjustment.
* Make sure the traces are not too short.
Plow runs too deep or hops along on the point—
* Move the hitch point down.
* Check your depth setting.
* Make sure the traces are not too long.