Core anatomy and tillage action of mouldboard ploughs
- Share: The horizontal cutting wedge that penetrates the ground, making the under-cut below the furrow slice.
- Mouldboard: The curved steel wing that receives the cut soil slice, inverting it completely into the adjacent open furrow.
- Landside and heel: The flat vertical plate that absorbs side thrust from the furrow wall, maintaining straight ploughing tracking.
- Coulter and jointer: Optional attachments that make clean vertical cuts ahead of the share to prevent trash jamming in heavy residues.
Fixed versus hydraulic reversible MB plough designs
- Fixed MB ploughs: Cast soil in a single direction (usually to the right), requiring ploughing in traditional gather or cast patterns that leave dead furrows.
- Hydraulic reversible MB ploughs: Feature dual paired plough bottoms rotated 180 degrees by an onboard hydraulic cylinder, allowing continuous back-and-forth passes across fields.
- Reversible plough advantages: Completely eliminates dead furrows, preserves level fields, and reduces tractor turning time on headlands.
Tractor matching and field operation guidelines
Standard 2-bottom MB ploughs operate effectively with 35 to 45 HP tractors, while 3-bottom reversible ploughs require 50 to 65+ HP tractors equipped with dual auxiliary hydraulic spool valves. Adjust tractor draft sensing to maintain steady depth without excessive wheel slip. Subsidies are accessible via the national SMAM portal (agrimachinery.nic.in).
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Common questions
What is the primary function of a mouldboard plough?
The MB plough cuts and completely inverts the soil slice, burying surface weeds and trash while exposing deep soil to sunlight and air.
What horsepower tractor is needed for a 2-bottom mouldboard plough?
A 35 to 45 HP tractor is generally required for a standard 2-bottom mouldboard plough in medium soils.
Why are reversible mouldboard ploughs preferred over fixed ploughs?
Reversible ploughs allow back-and-forth ploughing in the same furrow direction, maintaining flat fields without deep dead furrows or center ridges.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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