Part Strength Requirements for Deep Ploughing with Reversible Ploughs

Deep ploughing, below the normal working depth, breaks up compacted layers and revitalises tired soil. It also multiplies the force on every part of the plough. A frame built for normal work can fatigue or break when asked to plough deep pass after pass. Understanding the strength requirements helps operators decide whether the plough is up to deep work, and which parts matter most.

Beam strength sets the limit

The plough beam carries the bodies through the soil, and deeper work loads it harder with every furrow. A beam rated for normal depth flexes more at depth, and repeated flexing leads to fatigue cracks. Check the frame rating for deep work; if the plough was not designed for it, a heavier section beam or a dedicated deep-ploughing frame is the safer choice.

Bodies and shares take harder soil

At depth, the share cuts into denser, often moister subsoil. Shares wear faster and take more shock, so they need a tough edge that survives the harder material. Bodies set too deep for their design sit at an angle that increases drag. Match the body type to the depth, and expect shorter share life in deep work.

Pins, brackets and reversal parts

Link pins and body brackets feel the extra load directly. In deep work, inspect pins regularly for wear and bending, and fit pins at the correct grade. The reversal ram and pivot points also carry more weight when the frame is loaded deeper, so check pivot pins and ram condition more often in a deep-ploughing season.

Work the depth in stages

Rather than forcing a full deep cut in one pass, break the ground progressively: a shallower first pass, then a deeper follow-up. This reduces peak load on the frame and lets the tractor pull easier. It also gives the plough a chance to work within its design rather than at its limit. Two measured passes beat one overloaded one.

Inspect more often during deep work

Deep ploughing season is the time for weekly frame inspections: welds near brackets, pin joints, and the reversal pivot. Cracks caught early are repaired cheaply; cracks that grow through a frame stop work. With the right-rated parts and closer inspection, deep ploughing revives the soil without turning the plough into a constant repair job.

References

BROWN R T, DAVIES M K. Load on reversible plough parts under deep tillage[J]. Biosystems Engineering, 2020, 198: 190-199.

Brown, R. T., and M. K. Davies. "Load on Reversible Plough Parts under Deep Tillage." Biosystems Engineering, vol. 198, 2020, pp. 190-199.

Brown, R. T., & Davies, M. K. (2020). Load on reversible plough parts under deep tillage. Biosystems Engineering, 198, 190-199.