Description
Moldboard plows are designed to slice and invert a layer of soil, thus covering the sod and leaving a rough surface. These plows have large, curved bottoms called moldboards that attach to a frame. The moldboards have shears along the bottom edge and large curved wings above to turn the soil. Models are available that have 2 to 12 bottoms, a 12- to 22-inch width of cut, and plow to a depth of 14 inches. They attach to the 3-point hitch, or they may be towed. Most models have furrow wheels, and the plows are raised or lowered hydraulically. Horsepower pulling requirements are high and vary widely with because of soil type and conditions.
Application
Moldboard plows are used on clean-tilled cropland with high amounts of residue. Some models have reset mechanisms that allow each bottom to rise over an obstruction and then return to its original position. They are ineffective in rocky soils. Because these plows have very high power requirements and leave little crop residue on the soil surface, they are not used as extensively as they once were in row-crop farming. They have been used on abandoned farmland being prepared for grass seeding.
Images
References / Additional Information
Hallman, R. 1983. Accomplishments of the VREW – History. In: 37th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1983 February 13-14; Albuquerque, NM. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Equipment Development Center: 40-43. (Report including: anchor chain, brushland plow, dixie sager, Ely chain)
Pellant, M. 1988. Greenstripping – a proposal to reduce wildfires in southern Idaho. In: 42nd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1988 February 21-22; Corpus Christi, TX. Forest Service Technology and Development Program: 23-26. (Report including: disk chain, road grader, Towner plow)
Pellant, M.; Boltz, M. 1992. Seedbed preparation in cheatgrass infested rangeland. In: Rangeland Technology Equipment Council. 1992 Annual Report. 9222-2808- MTDC. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Technology and Development Center: 4-5. (Report including: disk chain, Towner plow, Wheatland plow)
Stevens, R.; Monsen, S. B. 2004. Chapter 9. Mechanical plant control. In: Monsen, S.B.; Stevens, R.; Shaw, N.L., comps. Restoring western ranges and wildlands, vol. 1. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-136-vol-1. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 65-88.