AC 170-175 plow size

Would a 170-175 pull a 3 -18 semi-mount AC plow well? Does it have plenty of horsepower in clay type soil? Tracy

I pulled 3x18 (AC 2000) plow in various soils with my '68 gas JD 4020 at about 5.5 mph. It pulled 4x18 but I couldn't keep the front wheels on the ground geared down to 3.5 mph.

I got more work down with 3x18 moving faster and the field was very level except where it was very wet because the higher speed slammed the dirt down and it crumbled and self leveled.

Gerald J.

Where I live d17 & 170 could pull a 4-16 real easy. We have sandy soils with hills.If you had the plow set correctly you hardly ever needed front weights.

Tracy, here in the eastern hills it is my experience that 2500-3000 lbs + 25-30 hp per 16 inch bottom to pull it right. Probably a little different in your area. Scott

3- 16 will be about right'

I pull 3 -18, 3 point, Ford plow with my 185. It is a load in some ground. I wonder if the AC 2000, can be changed to 16? Tracy

Mine will handle 6-18's

From the 2000 operator's manual and 2000/3000 parts book I have it appears that its not planned to change from 18 to 16" bottoms. Seems to require drilling four new holes for each bottom in the beam top and bottom to mount the 16" bottoms at that spacing.

I know for my 4x18 it was relatively easy to take off the front bottom and move the hitch over that distance to let the second bottom become the front bottom. The hitch is very versatile.

Gerald J.

When I had my farm I had a 170 diesel full front weight rack , loaded rears with weights on the back . We pulled a 2000 hyd. reset 4-16 . Never had a problem pulling it!

Thanks Eldon you made my morning!😀😀

You'd think:
3 x 18 = 54
4 x 16 = 64

(64 - 54) / 54 x 100% = 18.5% increase in soil turned, you'd need 18% more horsepower.

If you had a way to measure HP while plowing, I'd guarantee the ratio of HP would be much different than that. Those 3 18's are going to be a lot closer to the 4 16's than you think.

I've pulled Deere, Oliver, Allis, and Case (old orange Case, not Case/IH) plows in my farming escapades, and I can tell you one major thing: A plow ain't a plow and soil ain't soil. Or maybe that's 2 things.

Anyway, 18 inch bottoms typically pull harder than you plan on. They want to plow a little deeper than a 16, and that's part of it. Usually the pitch and curvature of the moldboard is different within a brand of plow even between the 16 and 18, and it just takes more power, it just does in my experience.

Usually best to pull a little smaller plow faster than be at the edge of ability to handle the plow. Then when you encounter a clay knoll, alfalfa roots, a sandy hill where you have traction issues.....you can still get it done, and haul tail when the going's good and you'll do a good job.

With no prior experience in your fields, it's hard to tell you what you can do.


Edited by Tbone95 - 14 Apr 2017 at 7:12am