Dowdeswell plough thoughts

[Selectamatic]

Gentlemen, may I have your opinions please...

I currently have a DP8A, ploughing 14 ins. 14 ins is too wide for what I want, but am struggling to find a 12ins version.

I have been offered a DP100, which I believe can be altered from 12ins to 20ins, and has a front furrow width ram. UCN bodies.

What's the DP 100 like as a plough? Is it a good trade up, like for like?

Also, weight is a consideration, the 3 Furrow 8A is used behind a David Brown 1494, which I doubt would lift a 4 Furrow version. Is a 3F DP 100 going to be too much for her?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Lincs Lass]

Dp7d was a 4x12inch reverserble

 

[celtis man]

I have a dp8 b ,ucn bodies really good plough its a 3+1 but is 14 inch but as I say a nice easy plough .
Have a look at Dunn's ploughs they might have something.

 

[fermerboy]

The DP100 is a good plough, proper true line adjustment and hyd front furrow adjustment too. Much stronger than a DP8 as well. We always have had auto reset legs and used to break the rod up the centre regularly on the 8.
The problem is that the DP100 has a linkage for the true line adjustment which means that the number 1 board is where the 2nd one is on a DP8 making it near enough a furrow longer, not a problem for some tractors but it can be.
If your tractor won't lift a 4 furrow 8 I'd guess a 3 DP100 might be similar due to the extra length.

 

[Drillman]

We have a 21 year old 100 series 5 furrow version set out at 18 Inch furrows. We’ve been pulling it for years with 155hp and never broken it. Good plow.

 

[bobk]

We have a 21 year old 100 series 5 furrow version set out at 18 Inch furrows. We’ve been pulling it for years with 155hp and never broken it. Good plow.

Does it get it over alright?

 

[Drillman]

Does it get it over alright?

Yep no problem on our land.

It started out set at 15 inch behind our 7840 and as tractors got bigger the plow was opened up an inch at a time.

 

[kmo]

What are the lighter weight alternative makes, that can plough four furrows at 12 inches wide, behind a 90 hp four cylinder tractor ?

 

[David.]

My late FIL had a 4 furrow 12" DP8A and you are correct, a new 1490 would not lift it successfully, had assistor ram(s?) fitted but it still cooked the oil and caused all sorts of problems.
I doubt a DP100 would be lighter.

 

[Nearly]

What are the lighter weight alternative makes, that can plough four furrows at 12 inches wide, behind a 90 hp four cylinder tractor ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ransomes...h=item468dca6a7a:g:ENkAAOSwq4Vb9S~i:rk:2:pf:0

My Dp100 is doing ok for me but everything's a bit slack. It's a 4 plus one, were they available as a 3?

 

[chaffcutter]

Years ago we broke our plough and wanted a cheap replacement, bought a 4f 12” DP7 out of the nettles from a dealer in Leicester, it was the best set up plough we ever had!

 

[Will Blackburn]

I've only seen 3 + 1+ 1 dp100. Going to be very borderline for lifting.

 

[balerman]

Got a DP100 3+1 here maybe for sale,lots of new metal will be for sale soon,i need an auto reset,too much rock here.

 

[Boohoo]

Specs for the ploughs are still on Dowdeswell's website
http://www.dowdeswell.co.uk/ploughs/100-series-ma-mr-dp10
http://www.dowdeswell.co.uk/ploughs/dp8a-dp8b-dp8b-hydrawidth-dp8d
The dp100 looks to be quite a bit heavier and with a minimum weight that's over a ton I think the 1494 might struggle

 

[Flat 10]

What are the lighter weight alternative makes, that can plough four furrows at 12 inches wide, behind a 90 hp four cylinder tractor ?

Lemken 110

 

[J 1177]

My father in law runs a 3f reversible lemken 110 on his Masseys it's a lovely little plough that makes a tidy job. And not too heavy.

 

[Two Tone]

Dp7d was a 4x12inch reverserble

A DP7d was a 4 furrow version of a DP 7 plough. But not necessarily 12 inch furrow widths. Many were 14 inch. They could be identified by the numbers 12 or 14 in the serial number.

The DP8 was a much lighter weight plough that the DP7 or DP100 series ploughs

 

[Bury the Trash]

The dp100 as a Three furrow would be ok on the 1494 but four would too heavy for its linkage

I reckon you would like dd or dds bodies I know I prefer them to ucn, they are like a modern version of ycn.

I've actually got a dpc7 12 inch 4f with ucn he is lighter than my dp100



I love my dp100 4f i prefer its strength , built like a tank. front furrow adjustment works well and is strong

skims are nicer io adjust well everythings better for tough work especially

but well you cant beat the dp8 for lightweight when that's what you want ...that's what it was designed with in mind.​

 

[Bury the Trash]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ransomes...h=item468dca6a7a:g:ENkAAOSwq4Vb9S~i:rk:2:pf:0

My Dp100 is doing ok for me but everything's a bit slack. It's a 4 plus one, were they available as a 3?

yeah mine was originally a 3+1+1

 

[massey765]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ransomes...h=item468dca6a7a:g:ENkAAOSwq4Vb9S~i:rk:2:pf:0

My Dp100 is doing ok for me but everything's a bit slack. It's a 4 plus one, were they available as a 3?

i had a 3+1 autoreset discs right thro .....that was a heavy lump on a mf 3095 ...then got a 4 furrow frame and put the +1 onthe back but needed 6480 to boss that
i would guess a none reset would be lighter and if you had no discs , the brown would still strugle