UK National Ploughing Championships Somerset 8-9 Oct

[Jerry Coles]

Hi all
Is anyone going?
I hope to go over the weekend.
Regards
Jerry
Bath
UK
Dextas, E27N's and DUKW's.

[Jerry Coles]

Went to the championships on the Saturday Nice weather and some excellant ploughing!
Here are some pics for Brian! Saw this Norfolk boy ploughing and his work.


.

This guy had an incredible set up on his plough including hydraulic motors, assiter rams on each lift arm, adjustable cross ram etc etc!!
.

Regards
Jerry
Bath
UK

[Kiwi Kev]

Jerry
You're right, he did have a very fancy setup, but what was his ploughing like
Kiwi Kev

[Brian]

That is the main reason I do not like those competitions. I want to see people with "normal" ploughs in "normal" conditions, setting them and then doing a job. Then I can aspire to that and learn from it with my ploughs. Even the local matches are using "special" ploughs.

If I were to run a competition for best ploughman, I would use a stubble field and provide all competitors with a brand new standard plough to set up. Then we would see the "Worlds Best Ploughman", and I would not allow "gardening".

Gosh, I woke up Grumpy this morning!

[Jerry Coles]

The ploughing result was not as good as I would have liked to have seen, besides he took so long to set up for his final cut, must have got out of his cab for every 2foot of his final cut for the first 12 foot!
As Brian says give them a brand new plough and a short timeframe to do it in.
The soil was quite sandy and turned nicely and had a spring to it as you walked. No stones and it was down to broad beans before so no stubble to bury.
Cheers
Jerry

[Jan 59]

Dutch national plowing contest 2011 Standard clay with stubble no special tricks allowed, See: https://picasaweb.google.com/1073672963 ... directlink

and for a local match with lots of Fordsons:https://picasaweb.google.com/1073672963 ... directlink

If plows are changed from standard you are getting a big penalty so cannot win. some rules are a bit to much, saw a plow were the rear disc was changed for an old sawblade as the new disc he purchased did not fit,but he was disqualified.
Have to agree with Brian about match plowing It has not much in common with farmers practice . And what about fighting against Kvernelands with your old plow.? These Kvernelands are nearly match plows.

[Brian]

Great pictures Jan! The conditions looked testing but they all seemed to be doing a good job. Liked the Hanomag!

One day I am going to drop my plough in over there and plough a couple of furrows!

[Jan 59]

We look forward to see your furrows in Dutch clay

Yes that Hanomag on steel was a good puller , no trouble with RSJ Duotrac Major

[Pascal]

Great pictures, Jan!
Will you be there at the ploughing match next saturday in Alphen aan den Rijn?

I will be there with a cultivator...just playing around on a field next to the ploughing field.

[Jerry Coles]

One other point about the British Ploughing championships.
Being used but not competing was a large 5 furrow plough towed by a Traction Engine, probably 1930's or earlier.
The result was pretty good looking furrows!
Jerry
Bath
UK

[Jan 59]

Pascal,

Heard in Harmelen that you will visit plough match in Alphen, I am not sure I can make it as I work as a volonteer saturdaymornings in a nearby museumorchard,to keep some of our fruitgrowershistory alive.
As the work there is nearly finished, think it will be possible to arrange something.
By the way were is that match in Alphen??? If I can make it will bring camera's and put you on the board.

[Pascal]

Hi Jan,

It's great to hear I am that famous.
I have send you an Private Message for your email address. Than I will mail you the address.

Looking forward to see you there, if you can make it along your other work.