When to Replace the Share on a Reversible Plough

The share is the part of the plough that actually enters the soil, lifts the furrow slice and starts the turn. It is also the fastest-wearing part on the body. Knowing when to change a share is a skill: leave it too long and penetration gets harder and fuel use climbs; change it early and money goes to waste. A few clear signs mark the right moment for replacement.

Watch the point length

A new share has a sharp point and a defined cutting edge. As it wears, the point shortens and the tip turns blunt. When the point has worn back to a short stub, or the sharpened edge is gone, the share is ready for replacement. A blunt point rides over the soil instead of entering it, and the plough starts to wander on the furrow wall.

Notice the working angle changing

As the share wears, its under-surface angle changes, and the plough needs more down-pressure to hold depth. If you find yourself adjusting the top link or adding weight to keep the plough in the ground, the shares are probably blunt. Ploughing gets harder work, and the tractor pulls harder, both of which signal new shares.

Check for chips and cracks

Stone impacts chip share edges and crack the point. A chipped share tears the furrow slice instead of cutting it, and the uneven edge loads the mouldboard beside it. Replace chipped shares immediately, even if the rest of the edge still looks serviceable. Cracks near the point mean the share is about to fail in use, and a mid-field break costs far more than a planned change.

Change shares as a matched set

Replace shares across the plough in matched sets rather than single units. Bodies that share one side should have shares at the same wear stage, so the whole plough penetrates evenly. On reversible models, fit shares on both sides so that alternating passes work equally. Mixed wear leads to uneven furrows and to one side of the plough carrying more of the load.

Keep spares on hand

Carrying a set of shares in the tool box means a worn share becomes an afternoon job, not a week-long wait. Mark the share part number and keep a small standing stock. With sharp shares on the bodies, the plough enters cleanly, turns the furrow properly, and uses less fuel through every hectare.

References

BROWN R T, DAVIES M K. Share wear and its effect on plough performance[J]. Soil & Tillage Research, 2019, 191: 220-228.

Brown, R. T., and M. K. Davies. "Share Wear and Its Effect on Plough Performance." Soil & Tillage Research, vol. 191, 2019, pp. 220-228.

Brown, R. T., & Davies, M. K. (2019). Share wear and its effect on plough performance. Soil & Tillage Research, 191, 220-228.