Plowing with Multi-Horse Hitches

By Loretta Sorensen
Published on October 2, 2017
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In spring 2017, Alan Sorensen used three of his four Belgians to plow a 5-acre field where he planted corn. Horses (left to right) are Mike, a 14-year-old gelding; Babe, a 4-year-old mare; and Bob, a 3-year-old gelding.
In spring 2017, Alan Sorensen used three of his four Belgians to plow a 5-acre field where he planted corn. Horses (left to right) are Mike, a 14-year-old gelding; Babe, a 4-year-old mare; and Bob, a 3-year-old gelding.
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Alan’s John Deere sulky plow.
Alan’s John Deere sulky plow.
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This John Deere 2-14 plow, with two plowshares measuring 14 inches wide, is the plow he has used in his 6-horse hitches. The tongue on the plow is longer than the tongue used for hitching fewer horses. The eveners are set up for hitching three horses in front and three horses in back.
This John Deere 2-14 plow, with two plowshares measuring 14 inches wide, is the plow he has used in his 6-horse hitches. The tongue on the plow is longer than the tongue used for hitching fewer horses. The eveners are set up for hitching three horses in front and three horses in back.
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Neck yokes on poles are designed differently. Instead of being bolted to the pole, this one slides underneath and a hook on the bottom of the very end of the pole keeps it from sliding off the pole. The thin metal rod next to the pole – the lead rod – helps equalize the eveners. The equalization ensures that each horse pulls an equal load, regardless of the speed of individual gaits. Usually a chain or loop on the tongue holds the lead rod in place, preventing the rear team from tripping over it.
Neck yokes on poles are designed differently. Instead of being bolted to the pole, this one slides underneath and a hook on the bottom of the very end of the pole keeps it from sliding off the pole. The thin metal rod next to the pole – the lead rod – helps equalize the eveners. The equalization ensures that each horse pulls an equal load, regardless of the speed of individual gaits. Usually a chain or loop on the tongue holds the lead rod in place, preventing the rear team from tripping over it.
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This David Bradley wood-beam plow has original paint and wood.
This David Bradley wood-beam plow has original paint and wood.
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A view of the David Bradley plowshare and hardware from the top.
A view of the David Bradley plowshare and hardware from the top.
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The square nuts used on the David Bradley plow are evidence of its age. The plowshare is marked “Bradley T21.”
The square nuts used on the David Bradley plow are evidence of its age. The plowshare is marked “Bradley T21.”
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Alan purchased this wooden 3-horse evener years ago from the late Praben Lee. He has paired it with the David Bradley plow. The hooks on the ends of the evener, where the harness tugs are secured, are a solid, curled steel riveted to the single tree, a much different style than what is seen on more “modern” hooks.
Alan purchased this wooden 3-horse evener years ago from the late Praben Lee. He has paired it with the David Bradley plow. The hooks on the ends of the evener, where the harness tugs are secured, are a solid, curled steel riveted to the single tree, a much different style than what is seen on more “modern” hooks.
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In the late 1970s, Alan used a 6-horse Belgian hitch to plow his corn. The horses included three geldings and three mares, all of which Alan bred, raised and trained to work in the field. His John Deere 2-14 plow is shown at work here.
In the late 1970s, Alan used a 6-horse Belgian hitch to plow his corn. The horses included three geldings and three mares, all of which Alan bred, raised and trained to work in the field. His John Deere 2-14 plow is shown at work here.

Alan Sorensen’s “field of dreams” has always been full of horses hitched to vintage implements. Part of that dream included using multi-horse hitches to plow his fields. Making that dream a reality fueled his search for just the right plow. The rest was just dumb luck.

“My John Deere sulky plow was the first one that I bought,” Alan says. “It was in the late 1970s when I was at an auction at a local farm. Down toward the barn, while I was wandering through the lines of equipment for sale, I spotted a horse-drawn plow in the trees. It was easy to see it had been there a while because a tree was growing up through it.”

After the sale, Alan approached the farmer, inquiring about the possibility of purchasing the plow.

“What do you need for it?” he asked.

“Well, if you can get it out,” the farmer answered, “I should have $10 for it.”

Plows with a reliable design

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