Farm Gallery machinery
Balance Plough – February 2020 (KIXCM 01447)
Two ploughs in one. At the end of the furrow the plough is rotated on its axis by 90 degrees allowing the second ploughshare to be used. The handles would be flipped over and the horses would be hitched to the other end of the implement. This meant the furrows would be turned the same way. In some instances the horses would not need to be unhitched, simply pulling the hitching chain under the wheels would often suffice. Multi-ploughshare ploughs were popular with steam engines, pulling from either end of the field – both popular in the South Hams.
Restored in the Museum. First dismantled, it was treated to remove rust, an undercoat of zinc primer was applied and a top coat of Dulux gloss (red) Reassembled using original fixings.
Turnwrest Plough by Davey Sleep – November 2020 (KIXCM 01448)
Manufactured by Davey Sleep of Plymouth in the late 1800s. Advertised as a ”Defiance Turnwrest Plough. A multi prize winning implement, costing £8.10s”. The plough would be turned 180 degrees on its axis to allow the plough to be used in either direction.
Originally catalogued as a “Climax” plough, but recently sourced information shows it to be a “Defiance”. This model plough is still used in horse drawn vintage ploughing competitions, mainly in USA.
Conservation work carried out several times, and the latest involved mechanical removing of rust, treating with Fertan, followed by Dulux primer with Dulux Gloss.
Ridging or Butterfly Plough – May 2020 (KIXCM 01016)
This two furrow plough would be used to create a ridge in which to plant seedling potatoes, or as a method of harvesting ripe potatoes. This is a walking, horse drawn implement. There is a similar example in the Museum that is fitted with tines to separate potatoes from the soil – similar to the image below which shows a double share plough with the tine attachment.
Dismantled, mechanically wire brushed, treated for rust with Fertan, zinc primed and finished in Dulux red enamel.
