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Rules For Classic Reversible Ploughing
PARALLEL PLOTS
1. TRACTOR
All models of tractor must have been in production before 31st December 1976.
2. PLOUGHS
• a. Any reversible plough with shear bolt or fixed leg in production before 31st December 1976 but excluding Fiskars, Kverneland Hydrien and Super Hydrien, and Ransome/Bonning. YCN bodies not allowed.
• b. Plough bodies and mouldboards to be designed for plough at time of manufacture.
• c. Skimmers and one-piece tailpieces are optional – no other attachments allowed.
• d. No modified tailpieces or brackets allowed. Two piece adjustable tailpieces are permitted and should be as designed for the plough at the time of manufacture. The dimensions of the tailpiece should not exceed 14cm x 24cm and the end must not extend more than 26cm beyond the end of the plough mouldboard. The tailpiece mounting bracket must be bolted to the mouldboard.
• e. Plough bodies can be raised or lowered but cannot be raised out of the ‘ploughing’ position.
• f. Extraneous attachments that manipulate the furrows or scratches are not allowed.
3. TIME ALLOWED
• a. 20 minutes for opening. Penalty for failure to finish opening on time – 2 points per minute or part minute
• b. 40 minutes for openings to be judged.
• c. 4 hours to complete the plot. Penalty for failure to finish the plot at finishing signal -10 points per minute or part of minute.
• d. Maximum of one hour only allowed for breakdown.
4. OPENING
Single furrow made with the rear right-hand body, cast towards the next lower numbered plot.
5. START
The start comprises 8 or 9 furrows ploughed towards the neighbouring lower numbered plot.
6. FINISH
The finish consists of the last 11 or 12 furrows.
7. DEPTH
Depth to be reached on completion of start and adhered to until the finish. Minimum depth 17 cm.
8. PLOUGHING
After the opening has been judged the competitor proceeds to:
• a. Plough 8 or 9 furrows towards the lower numbered plot.
• b. Start at the next highest number to complete the plot towards the competitors own start.
• c. Alternate bodies to be used at all times. Each run to be completed before the plough is turned over.
9. GENERAL
• a. The first and second runs next to the neighbours’ plot will be allowed as straightening furrows and will not be judged
• b. Rolling of furrows or scratches is not allowed. Penalty – 20 points deduction.
• c. Three sighting poles only (one may be placed on the headland) – assistance to set and remove is allowed. No other assistance allowed including assistance by signal, radio contact, mobile phone or any other method.
• d. Handling, treading or shaping of the scratches or furrows is not allowed.
• e. Only one tractor and one plough wheel mark allowed at the finish.
• f. Only the competitor allowed to clean the plot of straw, stones, etc. Clearing stubble is not allowed and will be penalised.
• g. The use of Global Positioning Technology, laser beams or any other electronic or computerised measuring devices are not allowed.
• h. Competitors must produce evidence of age of tractor and/or plough if requested.
• i. Any abuse or dispute by a competitor with an official or fellow competitor is not acceptable. Penalty – 20 points.
10. SAFETY
• a. Passengers not allowed on tractors or ploughs at any time.
• b. The Society of Ploughmen Safety Policy to be adhered to at all times.
11. FINAL DECISION
Any questions arising and not provided for in the rules shall be decided by the chief steward, whose decision shall be final and binding.
Judges Method of Scoring – Classic Reversible Ploughs
OPENING .............................................................. 20
START (8 or 9 furrows) ............................................... 20
SEED BED ............................................................. 20
FIRMNESS ............................................................. 20
UNIFORMITY ........................................................... 20
FINISH (last 19 or 20 furrows) ....................................... 20
ACCURACY OF FINAL FURROW ............................................. 20
INS AND OUTS ......................................................... 20
STRAIGHTNESS ......................................................... 20
GENERAL APPEARANCE ................................................... 20
FIXED PENALTY DEDUCTIONS
Two tractor wheel marks .................................... up to 20 points penalty
Depth infringement ......................................... 20 points per cm less than specified depth
Rolling .................................................... 20 points penalty
Use of hydraulic turnover not on the headland .............. 20 points penalty
Failure to finish opening on time .......................... 2 points per minute or part minute over time
Failure to finish plot by finishing signal ................. 10 points per minute or part minute over time
Abuse of officials or fellow competitors ................... 20 points penalty
Failure to adhere to the Safety Policy ..................... Disqualification
Any other penalty deduction will be decided by the chief steward
Equipment
1. Discs/skimmers/tailpieces may be of a different make.
2. Weights can be used on tractors or ploughs.
3. Adjustable stays on plough mouldboards are allowed.
4. Quick entry or slotted top links are allowed.
5. Extended wheel axles are allowed.
6. Screw adjustments on cross shafts are allowed.
7. Modified plough shares are allowed.
8. Modified tailpieces or brackets are not allowed.
9. Diesel engine conversions are allowed.
10. Hydraulic top links and other hydraulic rams are not allowed.
11. Hydraulic turnover is permitted only to reverse the plough on the headland. Any other use of the hydraulic turnover will be penalised.
12. Any type of trip leg plough is not allowed. Shear bolt or fixed leg ploughs only allowed.
13. Stubble chains, or any other attachment used to bury the stubble, are not allowed.
14. Four wheel drive tractors or conversions not allowed.