The setting up process of a Ford tractor plow is basically the same as most all garden plows. Ford recommends to set up the plow to disc no deeper than 5 inches. The plow is designed to dig into the ground as the tractor is pulling the plow. Once the plow has been properly adjusted, it will be able to dig into the ground at the proper level and turn the dirt away from the plowed area. If the Ford tractor plow is not set up correctly, the plow will not disc the ground properly.
Measure the entire width of the plow with a measuring tape. The proper plow disc depth setting is according to the width of the entire plow. The plow disc setting should be a 1/2 inch for every foot. If the plow is 8 feet wide, the proper plow disc depth setting should be 4 inches. If the plow width is 10 feet long, the proper plow disc depth setting should be 5 inches. Hook the plow up to the Ford tractor by backing the tractor straight up to the front of the plow. Connect the three-point hitch of the plow to the three-point hitch on the back of the tractor.
Crank the tractor up and raise the plow completely off of the ground. Place two 4 or 5-inch wooden blocks behind each rear tractor tire; determine which size wooden block by the width of the plow. Back the tractor up onto the wooden blocks. Hold the brake pedal down and turn the engine off. Leave the transmission in reverse to prevent the tractor from rolling off of the blocks. Apply the parking brake if applicable.
Lower the plow until it stops moving. The plow should stop lowering when it reaches 4 or 5 inches away from the ground depending on the size of the wooden blocks. Inspect the plow to make sure that the entire plow is either 4 or 5 inches off of the ground and level.
Adjust the middle adjustable arm that connects the tractor to the plow, with the adjustment wrench or pipe wrench, until the front and rear of the plow discs are touching the ground. Once the discs are touching the ground from the 4 to 5 inch distance, the discs will be properly set to dig 4 to 5 inches into the ground once the tractor is off of the wooden blocks.
