Mechanical vs hydraulic reversible plough: which is right for you?

The key challenge when it comes to ploughing your field is whether you should use a mechanical vs hydraulic reversible plough. They both perform the same job: turn the soil. However, they do it in different ways.

Some farmers prefer a strong plough that's easy to maintain and repair. Others want less effort, faster operation, and more comfort while working. If you're confused about which one between a mechanical vs hydraulic reversible plough suits your land, tractor, and budget, don't worry. Here, you will get to know which plough is suitable for you.

What is a Mechanical Reversible Plough?

A mechanical reversible plough is a tractor-mounted agricultural implement used for primary tillage. It is designed to break, turn, and invert soil to prepare seedbeds. It doesn't rely on your tractor's hydraulic system to do its job. Instead, it uses a manual lever or a mechanical trip mechanism to flip the plough shares.

When you reach the end of a furrow, you usually have to pull a lever or use the motion of the tractor to engage a spring-loaded or gravity-based system that "clunks" the plough over to the other side. It's simple, strong, and surprisingly effective for smaller farms or tractors that don't have high-end hydraulics.

What is a Hydraulic Reversible Plough?

The hydraulic reversible plough is a high-end impact driver. It connects directly to your tractor's hydraulics. When it's time to work, you simply move a lever, and the hydraulic cylinder smoothly rotates the plough frame. Hydraulic ploughs are built for speed and precision. 

As the turnover is controlled by fluid pressure, it's much gentler on the equipment than a mechanical flip. These are generally used on medium-to-large farms where time is money and the soil is hard. They handle heavy-duty workloads with ease and allow for much faster "turnaround" times.

Mechanical vs Hydraulic Reversible Plough (Quick Comparison Table)

Features

Mechanical Reversible Plough

Hydraulic Reversible Plough

Which Should You Choose?

The "right" answer depends entirely on your setup. Here's the deal:

Choose a Mechanical Reversible Plough if:

• You're on a budget: They are significantly cheaper to buy and maintain.
• You have an older tractor: If your tractor doesn't have a sophisticated hydraulic system, mechanical is the only way to go.
• Your field acreage is small: If you aren't working on hundreds of acres, the extra few seconds it takes to flip a mechanical plough won't hurt your bottom line.

Choose a Hydraulic Reversible Plough if:

• You have a new tractor: Most new tractors are built to work well with hydraulic tools.
• You want fast work: Hydraulic ploughs help to get the job done faster and with less work.
• You work with challenging soil: Hydraulic systems frequently give you better depth control and can handle heavier frames that dig into hard ground more easily.

Key Tips Before Choosing a Plough

• Check Horsepower: Don't buy a massive 4-bottom hydraulic reversible plough if your tractor only has 40 HP. You'll end up doing more wheel-spinning than ploughing. Check the manufacturer's recommended HP for the specific model.
• Resale Value: Hydraulic ploughs are currently in higher demand. If you plan on upgrading your equipment in a few years, a hydraulic model might hold its value better in the used market.
• Soil Type: If your soil is full of rocks, look for a plough (mechanical or hydraulic) with a "shear bolt" or "auto-reset" feature. It prevents you from cracking the frame if you hit a hidden boulder.

Conclusion

Both the mechanical vs hydraulic reversible ploughs are useful in the field. Check out your tractor and your budget before deciding which one suits our needs. 

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Need help finding the best deal on a plough? Explore our implement section or let us help you compare models to find your perfect match!