Heathersgill Vintage Ploughing Match 20th March

[expeatfarmer 591]

The weather was superb today prompting a turn out of some 65 tractors to compete. 6 machines in the horticultural class I went along for fun with the MG40N and a trailed plough just to keep Stormin happy, I really enjoyed it once I had sorted a seized disc swivel. Thanks to Tam Tweedie for the tuition. His MG6 and TS42 plough looked really tidy. Prize for best turn out must go to Norm though the black horse looked spotless and performed really well shame Norman was poorly. The small tractors attracted a lot of interest and showed that they were well able to keep up with the big boys. I was really pleased that I managed to achieve a last furrow for the finish that was straight, parallel and 12" wide but when I tried to plough it out the plough kicked over sideways and missed a bit in the middle.

[meadowfield 1,900]

Looks like it were a grand day for it!

Great pics

[expeatfarmer 591]

Certainly was it's been freezing wind all week until today.

[Stormin 4,458]

 Jonathan's being modest. He's not letting on he came first in class after Tam (Ransomes Plooman) gave him some tuition.  Tam came second and says that he's telling Jonathan now more.

 I'll put a report and some photo's up later.

[Rocboni 257]

Tam came second and says that he's telling Jonathan now more

Think you mean 'nae mare' Normin....Tams about as scots spoken as you get.

I've got to get my TS42 plough painted up and the disc attached so I can have a ago.

[Stormin 4,458]

T missing, Rhys. Should have read nowt.

 

You've a year to get your plough sorted.

[C-101plowerpower 548]

looks good and way flatter than the plot i had to plow

[Rocboni 257]

You've a year to get your plough sorted.

Needs a bit of work, it's got a slight twist on the mouldboard, also I think it has what's called a skim coulter intsead of a disc coulter???

[C-101plowerpower 548]

i believe that's a coulter for plowing grass and such

[Rocboni 257]

I have no idea but googled it.

The skim-coulter is shaped like a miniature plough, substituted for or fixed in front of the coulter; it is used chiefly on lea land, to pare off the surface of the soil together with the vegetation thereon, and turn it into the previous furrow, where it is immediately buried by the furrow slice.

I take it is has to be removed and a disc put in its place, I presume it is no good for competitive ploughing.

[C-101plowerpower 548]

I have no idea but googled it.

The skim-coulter is shaped like a miniature plough, substituted for or fixed in front of the coulter; it is used chiefly on lea land, to pare off the surface of the soil together with the vegetation thereon, and turn it into the previous furrow, where it is immediately buried by the furrow slice.

I take it is has to be removed and a disc put in its place, I presume it is no good for competitive ploughing.

 

ah it's one of those, thought it was a knife coulter. i'd put on a disc coulter

[expeatfarmer 591]

Depends on the ground you are ploughing Rhys people were using both today the skim coulter is very good for burying stubble.

[Stormin 4,458]

Some photo's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many thanks to Tam and Madjock for valuable advice and assistance.

[the showman 4,074]

Some good photos Norm, looks like you enjoyed the day

[Stormin 4,458]

 I did indeed enjoy the day. It was grand off the Scots lads to come down. Especially all the way from Perth. They were good company and helpful. I'll say nothing about them going home with arms full of raffle prizes. Bit like the Border Reivers of old.

 

Some more photo's.

 

My split.

 

 

 

 

 

Tam. (Ransomes Plooman.

 

 

 

[the showman 4,074]

Nice and straight Norm well done mate

[expeatfarmer 591]

Tam beat me Norm he was second and I was third twenty points behind him .

[Stormin 4,458]

 The Ransomes, with the heavier ploughs, fared better. There were some hard patches where the combine and tractors had compacted the ground. These caused the lighter ploughs to rise up.

 But towards the end, with many adjustments to my plough by Madjock, we achieved some nice furrows.

Brain can't have been working, Jonathan. Who came first?

[Ian 2,417]

Great photo's chaps, looks like you had a fun time

[expeatfarmer 591]

The gentleman with the tartan Tammy who's name I have forgotten. Using a mounted plough on a Wheel Horse. Did you take any pics of the Countax ploughing?

[expeatfarmer 591]

Fascinating afterwards looking at all the ploughs with high performance modifications and adjusters for just about everything and more, clearly a real science. The MG40 N was working away at half throttle pulling easily, I even tried it in second without any problem but too fast to watch what was happening, might try and find a two furrow plough just to see how it performs. 

[Stormin 4,458]

I meant to photo the Countax. Very unusual machine for ploughing. I can't remember his name either, or Madjocks.

[Stormin 4,458]

 I expected to use more fuel. Used just less than half a tank. Low second for most of the day at about half throttle. Used third towards the end with no problems.

[C-101plowerpower 548]

 I expected to use more fuel. Used just less than half a tank. Low second for most of the day at about half throttle. Used third towards the end with no problems.

 

low second? isn't that a tad slow? thought the manual says something about second for a 3/4 speed

[Stormin 4,458]

Manual? What manual?   Wasn't a championship match or a race. Just some simple rules, for simple folk to enjoy the day.