Can someone help me ID this plow?

[dbc3]

http://www.dbc3.com/images/plow.html

No nameplate anywhere.

I know I'll not figure out the manufacturer, but would at least like a guess at the age and probable usage.

[Keith Thomas]

That is commonly called a potato plow and used to turn out potatoes or break loose ground for any other need. Age could be pre-1880-1945
Looks like it's time to start cut'n spuds and plant'n.
Keith

[dbc3]

Thanks! I had the use fairly well guessed from the design. Of course 1945 is not all THAT recent, but it did seem to be styled from an earlier era. I can tell myself it is 'way older (although the condition of the wood might put that in doubt). I guess they still used a wood beam and light construction like this that recently since they didn't need the strength (and cost) of steel for the intended use.

Regardless, it is my first "find" and will have a place of honor in my hoped-for collection-to-be.

[mschreiber]

i call it a shovel plow. if its kinda on the wide side it'll be for potatoes like referenced. i got a coulple narrower ones, one stamped on the backside of the shovel reads, "blount true blue". i'd clean it up, you may find it marked.
good luck.

[Farquhar]

Here in the mtns. we called that a "Bull Tongue" plow.
Used to lay off a row for planting, and of course to dig "taters". The one we have here had a smaller point on it than the one pictured. Yours was probably used, with the wide point, for digging root crops.

[dbc3]

Does this look like my missing part?

[Keith Thomas]

If the depth is right, it would replace the hardware that is on the tongue now and the single tree would attach to the ring.
It is an early piece of hardware and appropriate for the probable age of the plow.
Keith

[mschreiber]

pictured upside down though.

[dbc3]

Right - makes sense -the thumbscrew up. The photo is from someone who found the part in his woods a few weeks ago and was asking if anyone knew what it was. Someone said it went to a potato plow. I am trying to contact the guy.

[dbc3]

The hardware on the tongue is incomplete - I've been trying to figure out what was missing. There are two pieces with holes in ends for something - but the hole in the bottom piece of hardware is far too small to take something that would carry the load. I just wired in a piece of black plastic tubing to hold the parts together. From what you say, and the look of this piece, maybe the hardware that is there is just bogus, rather than incomplete. Someone just guessed and put some pieces there?

[mschreiber]

what's on the plow beam as pictured is bogus to me. the hitch clevis pictured will have at least 2 bolts holding it on. one of them being the wrench.

[dbc3]

It is becoming clear to me. I wondered about the description of the clevis' three notches being to adjust the height for depth and/or height of horse - couldn't see why the ring would not just fall when the traces went slack. But now I think I see that the height adjustment would be made with the clevis rotated to the side, and when lined up with the beam, the wooden beam end would trap the ring in the chosen slot - pretty clever design! (assuming I'm right). Tomorrow I'll go look for signs of wear on the wood. And try again to contact the finder of my clevis!