Pioneer Foot-lift Sulky Plow

photos and commentary by Lynn Miller

As of press time (2006), not yet available to the public, and still being field tested, the Wengerd family of Dalton, Ohio has engineered a new innovation for the Pioneer Equipment sulky plow lineup. Borrowing design aspects from some of the most successful riding plows of a bygone era, they have applied new materials and techniques in their exciting, new, Foot Plow.

The original sulky or riding plow they have been selling, successfully, for decades features an axle design which has two opposing wheels, mounted directly to the plow beam. This style of plow, set in the ground and lifted out by lever, was well crafted to perform on the contour or for around the field. Pioneer has sold truckloads of this model to thousands of satisfied farmers.

I believe their new design will prove even more popular. The new plow is of a frame design which has the beam floating, center of the frame, off two eccentric yokes which provide push and pull for taking the plow in and out of the ground. The land, landside and furrow wheels are all affixed to the frame rather than the beam. The landside and furrow wheels are coupled together in a steering framework that is attached to the tongue end. When the horses turn, the wheels turn.

The lifting mechanism for this plow is a foot-operated lever which allows the operator to use both legs for lifting and setting. This foot-operated action means the operator can keep his hands on the lines at all times. The steering tongue means the plow will turn sharp on headlands for safety and efficiency. It also provides assurance on hilly terrain or with new horses, that the plow will not run up on their heels. Levers on both sides permit the operator to set the frame level for accurate plowing.