Stock-Drawn Equipment for Trail Work
Hillside Plow Designs, continued
Vulcan
The Vulcan is a hillside or "two-way" plow (Figure 14). The Vulcan is the only style currently being manufactured in its entirety. They are produced by a foundry in Amish country. Delivery times run from 3 to 6 months. The current price is around $400.
- Plow sizes range from 6 to 12 in (150 to 300 mm), and weigh 15 to 130 lb (7 to 59 kg).
- Jointer knife is not available.
- Gauge wheel is lightly mounted although the supports can be strengthened.
- Lateral (hillside) draft adjustment is provided by a sliding clevis and ring assembly available as an accessory.
- Latches are not adjustable, with no provision for wear.
Figure 14-Vulcan hillside plow.
Chattanooga (International Harvester)
The Chattanooga (International Harvester) plow is one of two types commonly used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, in the 1940's and 1950's (Figure 15). Occasionally, a 10-in (250-mm) Chattanooga can still be found in bone yards, antique stores, or in stock-drawn implement dealers. Parts are also available from the Erb Plow Works in Sugar Creek, OH. Shares may be obtained from Dyko, Inc., of Spokane, WA. This plow, complete with single tree, weighs about 150 lb (68 kg). Set up for trail plowing, the plow will have the following:
- Jointer knife for slicing heavy sod and roots.
- Adjustable hillside (lateral) draft from the handles.
- Adjustable latch claws to prevent the plow share and moldboard from chattering.
- Gauge wheel for depth adjustment and easy running.
Figure 15-International Harvester's Chattanooga hillside plow.
Oliver
Oliver hillside plows, also set up for trail plowing, are similar to the Chattanooga in availability of complete plows and parts (Figure 16). The Oliver trail plow design has features similar to the Chattanooga:
- Jointer knife for slicing heavy sod and roots.
- Adjustable hillside (lateral) draft from the handles.
- Adjustable latch claws.
- Gauge wheels.
The weight of the 10-in (250-mm) plow, 150 lb (68 kg), is also comparable to the Chattanooga.
Figure 16-Oliver hillside plow.
Syracuse (John Deer)
Syracuse hillside plows made by John Deere are available in areas of the country where John Deere was the primary implement dealer in the first half of the century (Figure 17). These plows are generally 20 to 30 lb (9 to 14 kg) lighter than the Oliver and Chattanooga, and they do not have a jointer knife and gauge wheel. The hillside draft is also controlled at the handles on these plows. Syracuse plows were made in an assortment of sizes from 6 to 12 in (150 to 300 mm).
