Section 7: Troubleshooting
MP10 & MP20 Moldboard Plows 307-244M
10/29/18
24
Troubleshooting Chart
Problem
Cause
Solution
Plow won’t go into the ground or
comes out of the ground.
Soil is too hard or too dry.
Increase plowing depth when starting to
plow.
Plow share is worn.
Replace plow share.
Not plowing deep enough.
Shorten tractor’s top 3-point center link.
Tractor 3-point control lever is not set
correctly.
See Tractor Operator’s Manual for
instructions on setting 3-point control lever.
Tractor’s draft control lever is lifting the
plow out of the ground.
See Tractor Operator’s Manual to set
tractor draft control lever.
Plow is making ridges.
The front bottom is plowing too deep.
Adjust tractor’s right lower 3-point arm up
or lengthen center 3-point link.
The front bottom is plowing too shallow.
Adjust tractor’s right lower 3-point arm
down or shorten center 3-point link.
The front bottom is making too wide of a
cut or too narrow of a cut.
Adjust lower hitch frame horizontally.
Adjust tractor wheel width if needed.
Hitch frame on the plow does not
have enough horizontal adjustment.
Tractor wheels are set at the wrong width.
Adjust wheel width to a width that will work
with the plow.
Plow frame and/or coulter shank is
bent.
Plow has hit a hidden solid objects.
Replace bent components. Travel slowly
and always be ready to stop when it is
unknown what lies beneath the soil.
Using too large of a tractor, too heavy of a
tractor, or a four wheel drive tractor.
Replace bent components and change
plow to a tractor that is sized right.
Rear tractor tires slip excessively.
Rear tractor tires don’t have enough weight
on them.
Add weights to rear tractor tires.
Rear tractor tires are overinflated.
Reduce air pressure in rear tractor tires.
Tractor 3-point depth control lever is not set
correctly.
See Tractor Operator’s Manual for
instructions on setting 3-point control lever.
Plow pulls too hard.
See “Plow pulls too hard” in this chart.
Plow pulls too hard.
Plow is running on its nose.
Lengthen tractor’s center 3-point link.
Landslide is pressing against the furrow
wall.
1. Check adjustment of lower hitch frame.
2. Check adjust of tractor wheel width.
3. Move right-hand hitch pin back one hole
if the first two checks are OK.
Plow frame or beam is bent.
Replace bent components.
Soil is too hard or too dry.
Use a higher horsepower tractor.
Plow bottom has not scoured.
See “Plow bottoms won’t scour” below.
Dirt and trash does not flow freely
over the plow bottom.
Plow bottoms have not scoured.
See “Plow bottoms won’t scour” below.
Plow bottoms won’t scour.
Plow bottoms are new or rusty.
(Not land polished)
Polish bottoms with a sander in the
direction dirt flows over the bottom, run
plow in sandy soil until scoured, or clean
bottoms frequently until scoured.
Plow is running on its nose.
Lengthen tractor’s center 3-point link.
Plow is not trailing straight.
See “Plow is not trailing straight” on next
page.
Furrow slice falls back.
Plowing too deep of a furrow.
Reduce plowing depth.
Furrow slice is throwing too far.
Plow is being pulled too fast.
Reduce tractor traveling speed.
Section 7: Troubleshooting
