[AJD] Plow for '35 D

Tue Jul 12 22:52:23 PDT 2005

Gary:

A JD model 52 is a very good antique JD forged beam plow and would be very
appropriate to pull behind your D. It is a trip lift (Rope pull lever). It
can be a 12", 14" or 16" two bottom plow. But will probably have the two
piece bottoms with the old style forged shares. A model 52 plow should have
beam numbers 611(pre 1934) or 613 on the long beam and 610(pre 1934) or 612
on the short beam. That will be probably the only way to identify the actual
plow model number.

There are a few (many different types shown in Parts catalog) different type
release hitches than can be on a model 52 plow but all follow a similar
principle. No trip bottoms were used on model 52 plows. If one of the shares
hits an immoveable object (Large Rock), a spring compresses in the hitch
which causes the hitch to release from the tractor clevis. Hopefully this
happens quickly enough to avoid damage to the plow bottoms. 

The handles are not used to raise and lower the plow but are used to adjust
the plow when it is in the ground. The land wheel (left wheel when driving
the tractor) will have a (open or later version - closed) clutch toward the
inside of the land wheel that when tripped (lever pulled by rope) will
either lower or lift the plow. One tug on the rope and lever will initiate
either action. 

I think I can come up with a scanned Operators Manual and a Parts Catalog in
PDF format for a model 51/52 plow that I could send to you if you are
successful in purchasing the plow. Two coulters would be nice to have but
are not totally mandatory. If the ground is really rocky they might be a
handicap in real application. Used coulters are usually not that hard to
find. The use of coulters will offer better control of trash and also offer
a cleaner furrow but in your case that may not be necessary. 

It is really hard to give a value for a model 52 plow w/o seeing it and
knowing how good a shape it is in. What shape are the shares and moldboards
in? Does it have regular bottoms or Syracuse bottoms? Does the trip lift
clutch work?  Is it all there?  Does the trip hitch release work? Is it on
steel or rubber wheels and what shape are they in? Is the tail wheel there
and working? 

Model 52 JD plows could vary in value from $25 to $50 for use as yard art to
$400 or more if in really pristine condition. The model 52 plow is such a
valued collector plow it might even be a shame to use it in really rocky
soil. 

I have some pictures of model 52 plows at:

http://public.fotki.com/deanvp/tractor_plows/jd-1/52/

This may be of some assistance to you.

Dean A. Van Peursem
Snohomish, WA 98290

I'm a walking storeroom of facts..... I've just lost the key to the
storeroom door 

www.deerelegacy.com

http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm

-----Original Message-----
From: antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of
Gary Epps
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 9:21 PM
To: Antique John Deere mailing list
Subject: Re: [AJD] Plow for '35 D

Dean and Steve, thanks for you responses.  Now here is where I display 
my ignorance.  Can you enlighten me regarding a trip hitch and trip 
bottoms?  I think I understand the handle that raises and lowers the 
wheel that in effect lowers the bottoms into the ground.  Is the trip 
hitch a heavy  spring affair?

The farm I grew up on used a team of horses and a single bottom plow and 
my father walking behind holding the plow handles and reins, probably 
around his neck.  He had fond hopes of buying a 1935 B but was never 
able to get the dollars together to make it happen.  When I was still a 
young lad a drought in the Ozarks put an end to dad's farming dreams. 
As a result of that decision, and dad going to work for a factory, life 
got better for the Epps family.  At any rate I have no experience at 
plowing with a tractor and plow.

We do have rocks around here, some huge.  Our house is setting on one. 
I know what these hills are made of.  Some rocks are very deceptive, 
they look like you could easily dig them out, only to start and find 
that they are many times larger than you want to tackle.

I would think 2 16"s would be the way to go.  A friend has a plow with 2 
16"s on it that he will sell.  It is currently disassembled and rusty, 
but is supposed to be complete with the exception of coulters.  I don't 
know the model number but he says it is a good match for his early 
styled A.  What is a fair price range to start negoiating at?  If it is 
a #52 what would be a fair price to offer?

Gary

Dean VP wrote:
> Gary:
> 
> I would recommend a 2 x 16" tag along with a good trip hitch or a plow
with
> trip bottoms.  The D will have no trouble handling a 2 bottom plow in any
> kind of soil and 2 bottom plows are fairly easy to find. A 3 x 14" plow
> would also work but I think you would be safer with a 2 x 16". 
> 
> Depending on how rocky the soil really is, it may dictate throw away
shares
> with three piece bottoms as opposed to the two piece bottoms with forged
> shares. Forged shares are harder to repair (replace) and it's next to
> impossible to find good used ones. 
> 
> Make sure you have a working trip hitch or working trip bottoms if there
are
> any rocks of substance in what you are plowing. And also make sure you
have
> a working release on the trip rope when the plow disconnects. 
> 
> On a positive note, if the soil is really sandy, pebbly, and rocky you
> probably won't have any trouble getting rusty bottoms to scour quickly. 
> 
> Dean A. Van Peursem
> Snohomish, WA 98290
> 
> I'm a walking storeroom of facts..... I've just lost the key to the
> storeroom door 
> 
> 
> www.deerelegacy.com
> 
> http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of
> Gary Epps
> Sent: Sunday, July 10, 2005 8:20 PM
> To: antique-johndeere at lists.antique-tractor.com
> Subject: [AJD] Plow for '35 D
> 
> I have no experience plowing.  So I am at a loss as to what size plow I 
> should be looking for.  I want to plow under a aged fescue hay field so 
> I can replant with something more conducive to a quail population. 
> There is some top soil, but the soil? here is mostly rock with enough 
> clay to hold it all together.  I am located on the top of an Ozark 
> mountain (big hill).
> 
> What should I be looking for a two bottom or a three bottom, 14" or 16"? 
> I know plows have been discussed in the not too distant past on the 
> list, but not with respect to what a D should handle in rough soil.  It 
> has been stated that when you buy land in the Ozarks, you don't 
> necessarily get dirt with it.  Any advice as to what I should focus on?
> 
> Gary

-- 
In the Ozark Mountains of South Central USA where both life and I move 
at a leisurely pace.

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