Plow project for WD

I'm not convinced the drawings in the plow bottoms book are accurate for moldboard identification. They show only one picture on the pages for 321, 322, and 323 which share all parts but the moldboards. And for others. Moldboards came in long and short. As did plow shares (blades, shears) with sometimes half a dozen options for the same bottom and sometimes shared between several bottoms. How the shares are attached is a variable. Whether by three bolts, four bolts (three to the frog one to a strap on the moldboard), or by a post hooked to a strap pulled by a threaded rod and a a hand wheel or a nut.

Moldboards are going to be the hardest to find. For the last decade or so, aftermarket makers have only made parts for 375 and 387 bottoms. I bought bottom parts for my 392 16 years ago from an Allis dealer in north Texas.

For shares, it may be most practical to take the old shares to the farm store and find replacement shares for any plow that are close, then grind the left edge angle to fit and drill new bolt holes in the frog and fourth hole strap. Its not practical to drill new plow bolt holes in the wear parts. And there are half a dozen variations in plow bolts so those sold in the farm store today may not fit the vintage plow parts so be careful with the old bolts. Use Kroil or PB Blaster or a half and half mix of acetone and ATF fluid to break the rust loose, don't cut the old bolts off.

There was only one 70 series plow at Amana yesterday and on it the back sides of the moldboards were painted orange, didn't look like a repaint to me.

Numbers on moldboards tended to be visible from the rear of the plow a couple inches down from the highest part of the mounted moldboard. Shares and other parts may have to be apart to find them and they may be obscured by dirt, paint, and rust.

There were dozens of plow bottoms but only a few plow frames. I'm convinced from the parts books that plow bottoms were sold independently of frames because of different plowing conditions all over the country and different farmer preferences about plow shapes. And I know the different materials in the shares and sometimes moldboards is for different amounts of rocks in different soils.

Gerald J.

Folk,
 After Gerald mentioned saving the plow bolts and I had not done that, I panicked a little! Went out and tried the new bolts and in most places, the new bolts will work in most of the holes. The points that I have now use the clipped bolts rather that the round ones and TSC had some of those.
Also have a email to davetheplowman  to see about parts. Sound like he is the man for components. Will also check local TSC for items.


Here are some exciting plow pictures!:)



Repairs (straightened and welded)


Diss-assembly


This left support has been shortened. Not sure how this helped Jack plow) I know this change was not made when my dad had these plows because he did not have a torch on the farm.




Maybe the toughest area to come apart is the center support assembly.




This is the rear moldboard to land slide support that I need.


plow parts,


Two bottom center assembly comes apart for components to be used on other plow.


This side to side adjustment bracket was a challenge. The ends of the screws were damaged and had to be cut off to get these apart.


This part needed welded and re-tapped.


Good 3 bolt casting from the 2 bottom.


Piles of plow parts and the frogs were stripped to the weldments.


Current status of the 3 bottom frame.


Some pictures of the dirt turning parts. Point


Shin.


Land slide.


Frog (weldment).




Moldboard.


Into clean up mode now.
Hope these pictures help someone!
Regards,
 Chris











Edited by Sugarmaker - 23 Jun 2015 at 8:30am

Gerald,
Width of the 73 frame is set for 14 inch.
Regards,
 Chris

Folks,
Looked through the plow information and I believe I have 362 plow bottoms.
Never realized there were so many options in plow configurations! WOW!

Regards,
 Chris

with you working on your plow, you've got me thinking of restoring my great grandpas old 3 bottom!

BPM75 wrote: That's what is on my model #63 plow but its 16". The guys I mentioned earlier should be able to help you out, good luck. I always enjoy your posts on your projects, lots of pics, very detailed and you end up with a very nice restoration, keep us posted.

BPM75,
Dave is getting me prices on plow parts. Thanks for the lead.
I go over on pictures sometimes.
Need a picture of your 63 plows too!
Regards,
 Chris

Ted J wrote: Nice work again as Usual Chris!  I've got a couple of 63's to redo one of these days.  They are on the back burner for now though.  TOO many projects and #1 is getting the pole barn done...  Good Luck, Ted

Ted,
Can you send some of that pole barn ambition my way? I need something like that too, for all this farm machinery, I am accumulating! I think your working on the right thing. I have the cart in front of the horse. Lots of things and nowhere to put them!
Maybe post some pictures as you progress on the building.
Regards,
 Chris

In. Fred,
Now aern't those sexy! Wow they sure do look great! How long ago did you do them?  They look awesome! What paint did you use for the working side of the plows? Looks black? And where did you find the decals? Do you have pictures as you did the restorartion? Would love to see them too.
Regards,
 Chris

Fred,
 And Folks,
I did not think about Maple Hunter for the decals. Good suggestion.
The sandblast shop called yesterday afternoon. All the 19 parts were done. Picked them up at 3:30 and had them primered and finished coated by 7:00. Good thing I did, as the rains have set in! I did not take out every nut and bolt on these plows. Just a clean up, repair broken parts, get all systems for adjustment working, and paint!
The PO#1 was still just a tad tacky at 8:30 last night, but should be pretty well hardened up now with the rain on it:)
Will try to get some pictures as I re-assemble these three bottom plows.
I was thinking silver for the moldboards, shins, and points? I painted the coulters silver. They look OK, Silver just doesn't lay down and blend nice.
Regards,
 Chris
 

Folks,
FYI I found one number on the back of each moldboard after sand blasting. It was #5.
Some pictures:
Before blasting.


moldboards, (back)


parts.


Plow frame and frogs.


Pile of points, shins and landslides.


Regards,
 Chris

It does take more power to plow deep and some crops need it, while some don't and a lot depends on the soil. The big problem with moldboard plowing is that in some soils having lots of clay, the bottoms of the plow shares make a packed layer called hardpan that restricts root growth down and also water infiltration. On the farm where I rented a house for 40 years I could see shallow sways that would ponds after every big rain. When the tenant switched to chisel from moldboard plowing the ponds quit holding water. The chisel had broken up the plowpan.

Gerald J.

Folks,
 Some pictures of the model 73 plows and the WD tractor.

Granddaughter Addison helped me install the decals.


May not be as from factory but will dress it up a little.




First hook up. Had to set the pump controls to get lift.






The distance from the inside of the right rear tire to the cutting edge of the shin is about 18 inches. So If I was to actually plow the wheels might have to be set in 4











Thanks to Addi ( she's 5) for taking the picture of Papa and one of his toys.


Thanks for following WD type the plow rebuild!

I think its ready for the local AC show next week but not sure how I am going to load it?:)

Regards,
 Chris

Chris, I LOVE that chit eatin grin in that picture!!  You sure do nice work!!
I have some pics of the pole barn up to now, so I'll try to get them off my phone and onto here tomorrow for you.
I have TOO MUCH CATCHING UP to get anything done today.  And it's almost already bed time...  Another hour...

Folks,

Edited by Sugarmaker - 23 Mar 2020 at 9:08am