Central Luzon State University
College of Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120
AM 780 – AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION AND
MACHINERY MANAGEMENT
Laboratory Activity
Primary Tillage Implements and its uses in Agriculture
MOLDBOARD PLOW
Submitted by:
LARRY S. OLIPAS/ MSAEn 1
Submitted to:
ROMEO B. GAVINO, Ph.D.
Professor VI
February 2020
2
AM 780 – AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION AND
MACHINERY MANAGEMENT
Primary Tillage Equipment and its uses in Agriculture
[ MOLDBOARD PLOW ]
Introduction
The Moldboard Plow (also called Bottom Plow) applies the principle of turning soil used
widely in traditional farming. The plow turns over topsoil, bringing subsoil to the top and
burying weeds and previous crops, thereby speeding decomposition. This is an alternative to the
tiller and rotary plow attachments for first-time soil breaking. If used, a pass or two of the tillers
will still be needed to prepare a ready-to-plant seedbed.
The tillage operations used in preparing the seedbed define the tillage system used in
producing a crop. Those systems which use the moldboard plow are often referred to as
conventional tillage. Those systems which use chisel plows instead of the moldboard plow are
often referred to as conservation tillage because they cause less soil inversion and leave more
crop residue on the soil surface to protect against wind and water erosion. Conservation tillage
systems can also include the use of the moldboard plow if it is used in the spring rather than the
fall and/or if the intensity of secondary tillage operations is reduced compared to the convention,
leaving more crop residue on the soil surface for a greater length of time (D. Lobb, 2008).
Objectives
This exercise has familiarized the students to primary tillage equipment with focus to the
Moldboard plow which was presented in comprehensive report discussing the implement’s:
1. general function and adaptability 4. method of testing
2. operation and adjustments 5. major parts and specification
3. method of hitching 6. current market prices
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
3
Methodology
The students visited the PhilMech and PhilSCAT and has identified different tillage
equipment used in primary tillage. The student then drafted its written report with the help of
reading materials and brochure given by the aforementioned agencies. Several specifications
were gathered from the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards (PAES) Book and latter
from the internet for further understanding and information depth about the subject equipment.
Primary Tillage
Primary tillage is the first soil tillage after the last harvest. It is normally conducted when
the soil is wet enough to allow plowing and strong enough to give reasonable levels of traction.
Objectives of primary tillage
To reduce soil strength
To rearrange aggregates
To cover plant materials and burry weeds
To kill insects and pests
Primary Tillage Implements
Wooden plough
Moldboard Plough
Disc Plough
Subsoil Plough/ Chisel Plough
Rotary Disc Plough
Turn-wrest or Reversible or One-way Plough
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
4
Moldboard Plough
The parts of moldboard plow are frog or body, moldboard or wing, share, landside,
connecting, rod, bracket and handle. This is a sliding implement that cuts, lifts, inverts and
throws to one side a layer of soil (furrow slice) to bury surface materials and inverted to one side
resulting in better pulverization.
Hitch
Frame
Standard
Frog
Moldboard
Brace
Share
Landside
Heel
Wing of Share Landside
Shin
Cutting Edge
of Share
Point of Share
Gunnel of Share
Figure 1 – Moldboard plow component
Main component consists of:
1. Share
2. Moldboard; and
3. Landside.
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
5
Definition of Component Parts
1. Frame
Structure to which the standards are fitted
2. Frog
Central part of the plow to which the share, moldboard and landside are attached
3. Hitch
Part of an implement designed to connect it to a power source
4. Landside
part of the plow that presses and slides against the furrow wall, providing lateral stability
during operation
5. Landside heel
part, attached to the rear of a landside, which applies the vertical load of the plow bottom
to the furrow bottom
6. Moldboard
part of the plow which lifts, inverts and throws the furrow slice to one side
7. Share
part of the plow that penetrates the soil and cuts the furrow slice horizontally
8. Shin
leading edge of the moldboard located above the landside
9. Standard (beam, leg)
upright support which connects the plow bottom to tillage implement frame
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
6
Types of Moldboards
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
7
Figure 2 – Types of Moldboard
plow
a. general-purpose moldboard
plow bottom that has less curvature than the stubble and can be used easily for stubble,
ordinary trash and stalk cover land.
b. slatted moldboard
plow bottom which is used in sticky soils and soils that does not scour on solid
moldboard.
c. sod moldboard
plow bottom that has long, narrow and less sloping moldboard with a gradual twist that
allows complete inversion of the furrow slice with minimum breakage.
d. stubble moldboard
plow bottom that has short, broader and curved more abruptly along the top edge and is
suited to work in soil which has been cultivated from year to year.
Classification of Moldboard Plow
Animal-drawn Moldboard Plow
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
8
Tractor-drawn Moldboard Plow
1. Two-wheel Tractor Moldboard plow
Four-wheel Tractor
2. Tractor-mounted Moldboard Plow
Type of plow mounted on the tractor’s three-point linkage and depends upon the tractor
for its general operation.
3. Semi-mounted Moldboard Plow
Type of plow that has the front end directly connected to the tractor’s three-point linkage
and its rear end is supported by furrow and land wheels. The plow is also equipped with
hydraulic lines and cylinders for its lifting and/or depth control.
4. Trailing Moldboard Plow
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
9
Type of plow hitched to the drawbar or lower links of the tractor, supported by two or
three wheels and equipped with hydraulic lines and cylinders for lifting and/or depth
control.
Adjustment of Operation
Since the entire power of the tractor is applied to the plow through the hitch, no other
adjustment can entirely remedy the fault if the hitch is wrong. Poor work, excessive wear on the
shares, and wasted power are likely to result. The hitch should be so set that the plow runs level
at the desired depth and width of cut, without much guidance from the wheels, or from the
handles in the case of a walking plow.
Methods of Hitching
1. Set the rear wheels of the tractor (if cultivating type).
a. For one-bottom or two-bottom plows, set rear wheels to narrowest tread to reduce
side draft on tractor and plow. With three or more bottoms this is not necessary.
b. When the tractor is in a plowing position, the weight on the land wheel is reduced and
slippage may result. To improve traction, it is advisable to use extra wheel weights,
fluid or a chain on the rear land wheel. Do not set the land wheel out.
c. When operating on steep slopes, it is advisable to operate the tractor with rear wheels
set rather wide apart to reduce danger from overturning.
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
10
2. Place the tractor in plowing position.
a. Place tractor on concrete floor or a hard, level piece of ground. Inflate all tires to
recommended pressure.
b. Block up front and rear land tractor wheels which run on the land a distance equal to
the depth of plowing. Six inches is the most common depth of plowing in Iowa.
c. The tractor drawbar is now in the same position with respect to the bottom of the
furrow as when plowing. The plane of the furrow bottom is the ground level.
3. Place plow in plowing position behind tractor.
a. Without connecting the hitch, place the plow behind the tractor so that the outside
edge of the front bottom will cut a full width furrow. When the plow is in this position,
the edge of the share will be from 1 to 2 inches inside a cord or string extended back
from the inside edge of tire on the furrow wheel of the tractor.
b. Drop plow and block up land wheel equal to depth of plowing. Use same height of
blocks as used under tractor wheels.
c. Level plow beams with depth and leveling levers so that weight of plow is resting on
points.
4. Determine position of hitch on tractor to equalize side draft.
a. Stretch a cord from center of pull on tractor to center of resistance on the plow.
b. If tractor has a swinging drawbar, lock drawbar in a position parallel with cord.
c. For tractors without swinging drawbars or where swinging drawbar is not used, hitch
the clevis for the plow in hole on tractor drawbar directly under the twine, or in hole
nearest to left.
5. Adjust the plow hitch horizontally.
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
11
a. Stretching cord in position of Step 4, adjust plow tongue to be parallel and under or in
line with the twine which represents line of pull.
b. Set angle brace bar to hold tongue in adjusted position.
6. Adjust the plow hitch vertically.
a. The hinge bolt should be in line with twine string stretched between point of hitch on
the tractor drawbar and center of resistance on the plow. If hinge bolt holes are not in
line with the string, set in the next lower hole.
The hitch of the moldboard plow shall be compatible with the drawbar or three-point linkage of
the four-wheel tractor. The plow shall be easy to operate such as:
i. hitching to and unhitching from draft animal/tractor;
ii. adjusting the depth of cut;
iii. changing the position of the plow with respect to the line of pull of the draft
animal/tractor;
iv. maneuverability during turning;
v. clearing blockages such as trashes, weeds, etc; and
vi. changing from transport mode to work position and vice versa.
Performance Requirement
The maximum depth of cut of the plow at the recommended power range specified by the
manufacturer shall be attained.
Approximate four-wheel tractor engine power for specific moldboard plow sizes under
average operating conditions is given in Table below.
Approximate Four-Wheel Tractor Engine Power for Specific Moldboard Plow Sizes
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
12
Tractor Engine Power, Hp Number of Plow Bottoms Moldboard Plow Sizes, cm
8 - 12 1 30
1 41
15 - 20
2 25
25 - 30 2 36
3 36
35 - 45
3 41
50 - 60 4 36
65 – 75 5 41
80 - 130 6 41
Moldboard Plow from PhilSCAT
2
1 2 4
Figure 3 – Moldboard plow with adjustment lever
The figure above presents a moldboard plow fitted with alignment controls base on
subjective desire of the farmer on which suitable farm conditions it may apply. The adjustment
knob (1) is the implement’s control for altering the tilt angle of the moldboard, thereby affecting
its depth of cut. This implement has also fitted with a lever (2) for adjusting the direction of
cutting/cut angle of the moldboard (3). This is attached and fixed in the mounting frame for the
engine bay using a bolt and nut at an line three orientation (4).
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
13
Figure 4 – Puddled Power tiller with Moldboard Plow
Figure 4 presents a specialized hand tractor fitted with a special wheel. This is called
“Paddy field leveling machine” but fitted with a moldboard plow and a chair mounting assembly.
Specification
Dimension: 1760 x 1080 x 810 mm Weight: 22 kg
Working Depth: 120 mm Linkage: three-point hitch
Working Width: 180 mm Matched Power: 5 - 6 Hp
Number of Bottoms: 1
Current Market Price
Go Traktora Trading Inc., Size Price
16 x 24”
Trailing harrow Php 260,000.00
9 x 9 plates
Disc Plow 4 x 24” Php 180,000.00
Moldboard Plow - -
Other Moldboard plows available in Philippines
Standard Features
Automatic lead furrow adjuster Hydraulic adjustable furrow width
Hydraulic steering 12” - 20”
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
14
In-furrow tail wheel (15 x 19.5 Lug 20” rippled spring-loaded coulters
Tire) Double spring auto reset
Gauge wheel (11L x 15 Implement Cat. II—III hitch pins
Tire) Main frame 8” x 8” tubular steel
Over 35” of under-frame clearance Draw frame 7” x 7” tubular steel
Fore-aft clearance - 40”
Plow Bottoms
European S8, Salford JD style or Salford IH style
Salford JD Style
Specification
6200 Moldboard Plow ( Salford )
Model # of Furrow Appx. Weight Hp Required
6204 4 4600 lbs 100 – 140
6205 5 5750 lbs 125 – 175
6206 6 7300 lbs 150 – 210
6207 7 8350 lbs 175 – 245
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
15
16
CONCLUSIONS
The Moldboard Plow is a sliding implement that cuts, lifts, inverts and throws to one side
a layer of soil (furrow slice) to bury surface materials and inverted to one side resulting in better
pulverization. There was four-types of moldboards, general-purpose1, slatted2, sod3 and stubble4.
And since, the entire power of the tractor is applied to the plow itself through the hitch, no other
adjustment can entirely remedy the fault if the hitching is wrong. The hitch should be so set that
the plow runs level at the desired depth and width of cut, without much guidance from the
wheels, or from the handles in the case of a walking plow. And thus, make sure that number of
plow bottoms and size of the moldboard must conform with the consequent power requirement
of the tractor needed to attain maximum efficiency with less drag to the tractor.
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
16
17
REFERENCES
Lobb, D. (2008). Soil Movement by Tillage and Other Agricultural Activities. Encyclopedia of
Ecology.
PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING STANDARD (PAES)
PAES 131: 2004 Agricultural Machinery – Moldboard Plow – Specifications
PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING STANDARD (PAES)
PAES 132: 2004 Agricultural Machinery – Disc/Moldboard Plow – Methods of Test
_____________________________________
L.S. OLIPAS, 2020
