Published by AMTEC on 01st Jun 2021

Guide to Successful Ploughing

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Following the popularity of our original guide to ploughing, we have put together some more tips for setting up and using a plough, including some useful trouble-shooting for common ploughing

Guide to Successful Ploughing

Following the popularity of our original guide to ploughing, we have put together some more tips for setting up and using a plough, including some useful trouble-shooting for common ploughing problems.

Correct setting up a plough is essential, as with any other agricultural machinery and equipment , as better results will be achieved.

Mouldboard Adjustment

To achieve good results when ploughing, it is essential to set the mouldboards up correctly; this will ensure that all the furrows are equal when ploughing.

Step 1

Mark the mouldboard – to set the mouldboards up correctly, a common ‘datum’ point must be marked on each board. The easiest way to do this is to measure from the joint where the mouldboard, shin and share meet (see diagram)

Step 2

Adjusting the right-hand mouldboards – loosen the stay on the centre mouldboard so that it is in a neutral position; this then becomes the master board to set the others from. Measure between the datum points marked in each mouldboard, the measurement of the outlet should be the same as the inlet interbody clearance. Adjust the bodies, so they are parallel.

Step 3

Transfer the right hand ‘throw’ to the left-hand side – both bodies must be equal. To do this, measure the distance from the datum point on the master furrow to the leg on the body behind (as per diagram). Turn the plough over and transfer this measurement to the master furrow on the left side.

Step 4

Adjusting the left-hand mouldboards – with the clearance set on the master furrow, now repeat step 2 on the left-hand side.

Levelling the headstock

For successful ploughing, the plough must be operating upright in both ploughing directions. An independent screw carries out the adjustment on either side of the headstock (see diagram).

Front furrow width

Once the plough is upright, then the front furrow width can be adjusted. This is carried out initially with the front and rear inside wheel settings on the tractor but can also be adjusted by moving the plough to the right or left by:

Altering the frame angle to steer the plough.
A parallel rail system

The second option is by far the best as it allows the plough to still pull in a straight line. Using option 1 can induce pressure, causing the tractor to crab and produce excessive wear on the plough parts. When adjusting the front furrow, it is important to remember that the plough and tractor should work inline at all times, with the top link running straight behind the tractor.

Troubleshooting for some common problems

Problem	Cause	Solution
Poor penetration	1. Worn metal	1. Fit new shares and points
	2. Plough leaning into work	2. Adjust plough verticality studs so plough is 90 deg to the ground
	3. Top link too long	3. Shorten top link
Tractor difficult to steer	1. Tractor front too light	1. Add front weights
	2. Bodies out of line	2. Check plough alignment
	3. Tractor stabilisers too tight	3. Adjust so the plough can float freely
	4. Tractor wheel settings incorrect	4. Check tractor operators manual to adjust
Narrow/ wide front furrow	1. Tractor wheel settings incorrect	1. Check tractor operators manual to adjust
	2. Tractor stabilisers too tight	2. Adjust so the plough can float freely
	3. Damaged components	3. Check plough alignment and change parts if necessary
Uneven furrows	1. Incorrect interbody settings	1. Check mouldboard position
	2. Skims inconsistent	2. Adjust so all skims are set to the same depth and position
	3. Mouldboard heights	3. Adjust mouldboard height and spacing
	4. Incorrect front furrow depth/width	4. Ensure width and depth is equal on all bodies
	5. Damaged leg or shear bolt	5. Check alignment and shear bolts
Furrows rolling back	1. Furrows too deep for the width of ploughing	1. Reduce depth or increase furrow width
	2. Top link too short	2. Lengthen top link
	3. Mouldboards adjusted too far back	3. Adjust mouldboards to correct position
Trash not being buried	1. Skim coulters set incorrectly	1. Adjust skims to correct working depth and position
	2. Ploughing too fast for skimmers	2. Slow forward speed to allow skimmed soil to be buried
Front furrow low or second furrow too high	1. Tractor tyres too wide for furrow width	1. Narrow the front furrow width so that it is supported by the last furrow of the previous run
	2. Front furrow with too wide	2. Adjust the width of the front furrow

Back

Guide to Successful Ploughing

Guide to Successful Ploughing

Mouldboard Adjustment

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Levelling the headstock

Front furrow width

Troubleshooting for some common problems

Problem

Cause

Solution

Poor penetration

Tractor difficult to steer

Narrow/ wide front furrow

Uneven furrows

Furrows rolling back

Trash not being buried

Front furrow low or

second furrow too high

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