Stubble chains

[arcobob]

I was ploughing at a working day recently and next to me was a man with a Fordson N and RSLD with YLs. He was using stubble chains but no skimmers. He was leaving more straw exposed than me using skimmers. I stress that this was not a match but, had it been one, what would the view of members of this forum to have this person as a competitor ploughing against them under SOP rules and what action would be appropriate ?

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

I was ploughing at a working day recently and next to me was a man with a Fordson N and RSLD with YLs. He was using stubble chains but no skimmers. He was leaving more straw exposed than me using skimmers. I stress that this was not a match but, had it been one, what would the view of members of this forum to have this person as a competitor ploughing against them under SOP rules and what action would be appropriate ?

had it been a match, what would you have done ?

 

[arcobob]

had it been a match, what would you have done ?

Gone ballistic ! I have to say John that this is very hypothetical because I suspect that this man is from an area where they have a whole furrow class, as I understand a sort of mid way between normal ploughing and oat seed furrow, so his rig may have served a purpose for him. What would be your reaction ?

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

i would of just had a quite word and asked him to take them off if it was a match, as no need to kick up a fuss with everyone,
and as it was a fun day, it would not matter 1 bit to me Bob,





on the other hand if he used them and was not get in rid of the straw like i was then he would not win anyway,
and if he did win, wrap the chains around his neck, and shove the weight where the sun dont shine,




then feel really sorry, and after looking a fool, as the steward taps you on the shoulder and say
"he was ploughing in the high cut"

 

[Ley253]

To be honest, I have never managed to make chains work as well as skims. Even the high cut people struggle, here is Mike Holloways plot at Yeovil a few years ago.

 

[tomlad]

Sorry chaps
What are stubble chains
?

 

[Ley253]

otherwise known as Chains and weights, they are attached to the beam of the plough and rub on the face of the furrow slice as its turned over, the weight running in the furrow bottom. Set perfectly, they pull in all the loose rubbish, and just trim the edge of the slice. In practise, they climb up out of the furrow, get trapped under the boards when turning, get snagged on the furrow and pull great chunks out, which get left on top of your work! Invention of the Devil, they are!

 

[tomlad]

Ahh thanks for that harry
I've heard of read of 'boats ' .? Same thing ?
Don't think I've ever been up close to a oat seed furrow set up .

 

[Ley253]

No, boats are literally steel boats, which polish the furrow slices so that the hand broadcast seed cant stick to the sides. If you look at the photo, you can see the chains just behind the furrow wheel, and a boat is also visible beside the presswheel

 

[tomlad]

I hadn't zoomed in the photo on my phone

Yes I can see them
I had no idea such a thing existing I guess I wouldn't notice them in a ploughing photo
Think I'll stick with my skims
Thanks again

 

[arcobob]

Apart from being illegal in normal vintage ploughing they are also a poor reflection on the ploughman`s ability to set skimmers. They are not always particularly effective though they don`t upset the furrow slice. If anyone has seen the video made by Douglas Read and Clive Underhill called "Start with an Advantage" , Douglas , who was a high cut specialist, commented that he could not understand why chains were not allowed. He also made a trailing plough video I understand but have not seen it. Apparently he was given a stern dressing down by the SOP for giving away too many secrets or more likely because he encroached on their gravy train !

 

[Ley253]

I would love to have been a "fly on the all" when the SOP dressed down Douglas Read MBE! its not something that would have happened often! I knew Doug and Clive very well, though since moving to Somerset I have lost touch.I believe that both are now in poor health.He did make a whole furrow video, the "clockwork mouse" was I believe John Eddols, though my memory is unclear on that.
Pete Kelly and I spent a day in his company, during the preparation of an article in Tractor and Farming Heritage on his time ploughing, and how he reintroduced High Cut to the match scene.

 

[Bruce Almighty]

I'm amazed there is opposition to chains
Ploughs are cut & shut so much, why worry about a simple chain ?

Occasionally when commercial / proper ploughing, I get a length of Hesston string wrap around a skimmer leg & it has a similar effect to a chain