Brief description

Plow structure describes the core parts of a plow and how they fit together to cut, lift, and turn soil. Knowing the structure helps build, repair, and adjust plows for different soils and draft power.

Use / Function

• Identify parts: Beam, share, moldboard, hitch, and handles each have a specific job.
• Set working depth: Adjust angles and hitch height to control penetration.
• Improve field results: Match the structure to soil type and moisture.
• Maintain and repair: Replace worn edges and tighten bindings.
• Scale: Small household plots to community fields.

Operating principle

• Beam: Main spine that carries pulling force from the hitch to the cutting edge.
• Share: Wedge-like blade that slices the soil.
• Coulter: Vertical knife or disk that pre-cuts roots and residues.
• Moldboard: Curved surface that lifts and rolls the soil slice.
• Landside: Flat plate that stabilizes lateral forces during the cut.
• Handles: Guide the plow and keep the share aligned.
• Hitch and draft: Transfers pulling force from people or animals into steady forward motion.

How to create it

1. Map the layout: Mark where the beam, share, and handles meet.
2. Shape the beam: Carve a straight, stiff wooden spine.
3. Mount the share: Lash or fasten a stone or metal blade to the beam nose.
4. Add the moldboard: Fit a curved board behind the share to roll soil.
5. Set the hitch: Position the pull point so the plow bites instead of skimming.
6. Field test: Pull a short line and adjust angle until the soil turns cleanly.

Required technological level

Basic to intermediate. Stone or wood versions are basic; metal shares and fittings increase efficiency.

Materials needed

• Essential: Wood beam and handles, Stone or Iron share, Plant fibers or Leather bindings.
• Tools: Stone tools for shaping, simple cutting and drilling tools.
• Optional durability: Bronze fittings or replaceable tips.

Variants and improvements

• Scratch plow (ard): Light wooden design for shallow tillage.
• Moldboard plow: Full soil inversion for weed burial.
• Replaceable share: Swappable metal edge to reduce downtime.
• Depth wheel: Consistent depth on uneven ground.

Limits and risks

• Misalignment: Poor angles cause skipping or deep gouging.
• Wear: Shares dull quickly in rocky soils.
• Over-tillage: Too much turning increases erosion risk.
• Strain: High draft loads can injure people or animals.

Related materials

• Plow and tools: Full toolset context and usage.
• Combine harvester: Mechanized harvest that follows field prep.
• Shovel: Companion tool for field work and repair.
• Wood: Structural frame material.
• Stone: Basic share material for early plows.
• Iron: Durable cutting edge option.
• Bronze: Optional fittings and replaceable tips.
• Plant fibers: Lashings for joints and hitch.
• Leather: Straps and bindings for draft systems.