I hope you don’t mind a John Deere fan on your forum but I heard Oliver made some good plows and I am hoping you can provide me with some information about them. 

I have been participating in some informal local plow days for the past few years. Deere and IH plows are the only ones present. None handle the residue well, even the ones that are adjusted well. I have been pulling Deere plows, either a 4x14 or a 5x14 behind a Deere 830. Now our older daughter has been bugging me to get the John Deere A running again. My grandfather bought it new in 1949 or ’50. Of course it too will need a plow. In this area, it would be pretty easy to find a suitable Deere plow but this might be an opportunity for me to try something different. 

If you are not familiar with the A, its shipping weight is about 4,750 pounds and it was rated for about 34 H.P. at the drawbar.

What model should I be looking for? I have a few features that I want the plow to have, no matter what brand I end up with. First, when adjusted properly, it needs to be able to handle today’s residue levels without getting plugged up too often. It should be a pull type (trailer) not mounted. I prefer hydraulic lift over rope trip. Rubber tires would be a plus. It should pull easy and parts should still be available for it, especially an owner’s manual. I like bottoms with replaceable shares and shins. Preferably, it should be from the 1950s era but that isn’t mandatory. 

So, what makes the Oliver plows so good? Is there another brand that would be better for this application?

I think a 2x14 would be suitable. Is it possible or desirable to get a 2x16 and put 14” parts on it? Is there any advantage to doing so?

It will mostly be pulled on flat black prairie soils, usually silt loams and silty clay loams. Rocks and roots are not an issue. Residue from 200+ bushel Bt hybrids is the biggest problem.

Please forgive my Oliver ignorance. Being 30 miles from Moline and surrounded by Deere dealerships, there just weren’t many Oliver implements in this area. 

Thanks for your help,
IFB