Plow Day Questions

[nashcub]

I'm going to attempt to put together a small plow day around the Bowling Green, KY area sometime in the early spring. I have access to a few different locations that should work. Some are quite large, but the smaller tracts are better located.

I know that most folks would prefer to stay out of corn stubble. What would be the preferred type of crop/field to use?

As far as head count goes, I am guessing about 15 to 20 garden tractors, and maybe a couple of the old big boys. Just need to know how to calculate the minimum number of acres that would be needed to keep everyone busy for a full day of plowing.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[Merk]

I've been involved with 2 different groups that puts on plow days. One group is just garden tractors and the other group has big and little tractors plowing.


Items Needed to Set Up a Plow Day
Here are a few things to consider:
1. Ground-Wheat or bean stubble ground is the best to plow.
2. Need an area to park haulers
3. Permission from land owner and the party who farms the land.
4. Restroom facilities
5. Insurance for landowner needs to check with his insurance agent
6. Rain date?
7. Single day event?
8. Which day to have event? Saturday is the best
9. Local hotels-place to eat food for out of towners?
10. Directions from North-South-East -West
11. Signs to event site
12. All makes-garden tractors only?
13. Only plowing??? Some have a disk or tiller
14. Food-Host supplying food? Service group? On your own? Shut down time for lunch?
15. Name tags
16. Release form-All drivers need to sign a release form. Release form states that the landowner will not be held liable in the event of an accident. Parents must sign for minor(s).
17. Minimum age to plow?
18. Parents need to supervise minor(s) when minor(s) is plowing.
19. Brief driver's meeting before plowing. Discuss safety rules
20. Have a separate area to set up plows and someone who can help setting the plow.
21. Have a separate area for beginners to plow. Item 20 can be the same area.
22. Have someone before the day of the plowday start a few lands.
23. Have a chain-strap (spare tractor) in case of a breakdown
24. Group plow? Everyone plowing one lap front to back
25. Group picture?
26. Swap meet area?
27. Have a good time

You can use some, all or none. It's your plow day.
This is a list I've been working on for the last few years.

I am a Director/Vice President of an International Harvester Collectors chapter. The national group has a insurance policy that the different chapters can use to protect members from lawsuits while at plow days or shows. A bystander was injured at an event and sued. The insurance company took care of the lawsuit. That is the reason items 16 thru 19.

[Merk]

I forgot to add this.......
The garden tractor only group usually has 15 acres to plow. There are 20 to 30 tractors that attend the event. They will plow all the land in 4 to 5 hours with a 45 minute break for lunch/bull sesion.

[Methos]

Merk That's great info! I never would have thought of all that! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[nashcub]

Merk,

Thanks so much!!!

That is great info and exactly what I needed.