Basil Scarberry’s Homemade Two-Way Plow

When I first witnessed this plow, a few years back at a Horse Progress Days, I was flabbergasted at how basic, straight forward, and efficient the unit was. Watching it perform, that year and each one subsequent, I still have to scratch my head in wonder that we had to wait this long for someone to come up with this.

When I first introduced myself to the inventor/designer/ builder, Basil Scarberry, I found myself talking to a quiet, dignified, somewhat reticent, yet determined individual. Mr. Scarberry had come from West Virginia to share, in the purest sense of the word, his implement ideas. His implements were not for sale, they were there for people to see, measure, ask about and enjoy. When I asked if he would be interested in seeing his work in an article in this magazine, he hesitated. Years later as we continued the discussion, I discovered that he had protected the idea from being “taken over.” He wanted it to belong to everyone; he wanted it to be seen and known as his gift to us.

He, and we, sincerely hope that some of you will understand the significance of his design and the many little leverage and link-up principles he has combined, and with that understanding go ahead and make good and beneficial use of the implement in your own farming.

On the next pages you will see some of Basil Scarberry’s own words in description of his implement. I believe that what he demonstrates here is the heart and soul of one independent farmer’s great inherent mechanical and procedural genius. To push on a oft-used sentiment; this is what made our animal-powered agriculture a gem of mankind’s history. LRM

Two-Way 12” Turning Plow

by Basil Scarberry of West Virginia

I used shock bolt with shoulder for catch on handle, used car hood spring to hold tension on cable, I used McCormick Deering mowing machine handles on my plow, I used a Chevrolet front-wheel drive, used rear hubs off the axle.

I hope you can get some use out of these plans, if you can understand them. I would rather build the plows as to draw the prints. Before starting, locate yourself a set of plows, International Cub Tractor – way 12” plow. I hope this helps you.

Options/Accessories with this design: a) split level tongue for ease of turning; b) stub tongue for transporting forecart behind a vehicle on the road; c) pneumatic tires for road travel and ease of draft in the field; d) cable and pulley lifting mechanism for ease in operation; e) padded spring seat for comfort; f) set up to 52” evener and neck yoke which gives driver clear view of furrow and gives horses more space for cooler body temperature; g) minimal adjustment of levers while in operation, which adds up to time saved and little effort for the operator.

Comments: When compared with manufactured two-way plows of an earlier era, this plow is especially noticeable for its ease of draft, its clean performance, and its operation simplicity for the plowman.

Basil Scarberry