Reversible Plough versus Standard Mouldboard Plough: A Working Comparison

Both reversible ploughs and standard mouldboard ploughs turn the furrow slice over. They share the same basic body geometry, but the way they work in the field is different. Farmers choosing between them, or ordering parts for a mixed fleet, benefit from a clear picture of the practical differences.

How the work pattern differs

A standard mouldboard plough turns every furrow to the same side, which means the operator must lift, turn and drive back on the headland at the end of each pass. A reversible plough flips its bodies between passes, so it keeps working in a continuous back-and-forth pattern. That saves headland time, especially on long fields.

Finish and furrow quality

Both ploughs invert the slice well when set correctly. A well-set reversible plough gives a clean finish with no open furrow left in the middle of the field, because alternating passes close the ground behind them. A standard plough leaves a characteristic open furrow between runs, which needs care at field edges. The body parts themselves, shares and mouldboards, perform the same cutting work on both designs.

Maintenance and parts

Reversible ploughs add a hydraulic reversal ram, pivot points and a rotating frame to maintain. Standard ploughs are simpler, with a fixed frame and no reversal mechanism. On a reversible plough, seals, pivots and ram parts join shares and coulters on the maintenance list. Standard ploughs have fewer wearing points, but they spend more unproductive time on headlands.

Which suits which operation

Reversible ploughs suit contractors and larger operations where headland time adds up, and where a clean finish without open furrows matters. Smaller farms on short fields may find a standard plough simpler to own and maintain. The choice depends on field shape, tractor hydraulics and the operator's working style rather than on which design cuts better.

Parts planning for both

Whatever the design, shares, mouldboards, coulters and depth wheels remain the fast-moving wear parts. For reversible ploughs, add ram seals, pivot pins and reversal bearings to the spares list. Stock the parts that match the machines actually owned, and keep a maintenance schedule tuned to each design's wearing points.

References

BROWN R T, DAVIES M K. Field comparison of reversible and conventional mouldboard ploughs[J]. Soil & Tillage Research, 2019, 191: 240-248.

Brown, R. T., and M. K. Davies. "Field Comparison of Reversible and Conventional Mouldboard Ploughs." Soil & Tillage Research, vol. 191, 2019, pp. 240-248.

Brown, R. T., & Davies, M. K. (2019). Field comparison of reversible and conventional mouldboard ploughs. Soil & Tillage Research, 191, 240-248.