Why Reversible Plough Bodies Wear Unevenly

On a reversible plough, both sets of bodies should wear at a similar rate, because they take turns working on alternating passes. When one set rounds off quickly while the other still looks new, the plough is not set up right. Uneven wear costs money in shares and mouldboards, and it quietly drags down the quality of the work. The causes are almost always setup related, and they are worth finding before the bodies reach the end of their life.

Depth and angle mismatch between passes

If the plough sits slightly tilted from one pass to the next, one side runs deeper than the other. The deeper body cuts harder soil and wears faster. Check that the frame sits level when the plough is lowered, and confirm the top link and levelling adjustment are centered. A plough that pulls sideways on one pass loads the rear bodies on that side and accelerates their wear.

Hydraulic reversal timing

The bodies must flip fully between passes. A reversal that stops halfway, or that drifts under hydraulic load, leaves one set working at a slight angle instead of flat. Over a season, that angle turns into wear on the leading edge of the affected bodies. Check that the ram reaches the end of its stroke and that the hydraulics hold position during the turn.

Share condition matters on both sides

Worn shares on one side change how that set penetrates the soil. A blunt share rides shallower, which pushes more work onto the bodies beside it and creates a patch of uneven wear. Replace shares in matched pairs on both sides of the plough, rather than swapping only the worst ones. Even penetration keeps the load even across both sets.

Stone damage and local soil

Fields with stones wear shares unevenly wherever the rocks sit. One body may take a direct hit and chip, while the rest of the set stays intact. Inspect bodies after stony work, and replace chipped shares early, because a damaged edge tears the soil and loads the neighbour body. Skimming the field before ploughing catches many stones before the plough meets them.

Check and re-setup each season

At the start of each season, compare the wear on both sides of the plough. Measure the remaining share edge and note any bodies that wear faster. Adjust level, depth and hydraulic timing so that both sets work equally. An even-wearing plough lasts longer, turns cleaner, and leaves a consistent furrow pass after pass.

References

BROWN R T, DAVIES M K. Uneven wear of reversible plough bodies under field conditions[J]. Biosystems Engineering, 2019, 184: 150-158.

Brown, R. T., and M. K. Davies. "Uneven Wear of Reversible Plough Bodies under Field Conditions." Biosystems Engineering, vol. 184, 2019, pp. 150-158.

Brown, R. T., & Davies, M. K. (2019). Uneven wear of reversible plough bodies under field conditions. Biosystems Engineering, 184, 150-158.