Page 55 - Copshaholm Curriculum Book_2015

Plow Parts Definitions

BEAM: A wood or metal brace (or spine) extending from front to rear of the plow to
which all parts (i.e. share, mold board, etc…) are fastened.

BOTTOM: The lower part of a plow, often used as a synonym for plow.

FURROW: A small trench made by a plow, also the earth turned over by a plow.
Horse-drawn plows generally cut furrows 12 or 14 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches deep.

COULTER: An iron blade fastened to the plow beam in front of the moldboard to cut
the soil vertically.

DEPTH LEVELER: A small wheel attached to the beam to help control the depth of the
furrow.

GANG PLOW: An implement with two or more plows, each plow consisting of a
moldboard and share; commonly called a “two (or three, or four)-bottom plow.”

HANDLES: Extensions at the back of the plow used by the operator to control it.

HITCH: A fixture at the front of the beam to which the source of power (horses, tractor,
etc…) for pulling the plow is attached.

LANDSLIDE: A metal plate opposite the moldboard that glides along the unplowed side
of the furrow to neutralize pressure as the furrow is turned.

MOLDBOARD: A curved metal plate fastened above the share in such a manner as to
turn over a slice of earth cut by the share.

PLOW: An implement used to cut, lift, turn over and partially pulverize the soil in
preparation of a seedbed.

PLOWLINE: The level of the bottom of a plowed furrow.

PLOWSTAFF: A paddle used for cleaning the moldboard and share of a plow.

SHARE: The pointed metal blade of a plow that cuts horizontally through the ground to
form the bottom of a furrow.

SULKEY PLOW: A single (“one-bottom”) plow, pulled by horses, on which the operator
rides.

WALKING PLOW: A single plow, pulled by horses, which the operator walks behind.