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FERGUSON PLOUGHING RULES
1. TRACTOR
Any as manufactured Ferguson T20, Ferguson Brown and Ford Ferguson tractors.
2. PLOUGHS
• a. Any as manufactured mounted Ferguson plough in production before 31st December 1956.
• b. Ferguson plough bodies to be in production before 31st December 1956.
• c. Skimmers and one-piece tailpieces are optional – no other attachments allowed.
• d. Tailpieces should not be more than 22 cm long from the end of the mouldboard and 11 cm wide and can only be adjusted by the mouldboard bolts.
• e. Plough bodies can be raised or lowered but cannot be raised out of the ‘ploughing’ position.
• f. All plough bodies to be used when ploughing the finish.
• g. 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 minute.
• d. 15 minutes for any cast-off made after commencement of ploughing.
• e. Maximum of one hour only allowed for a breakdown.
4. OPENING
• a. Double opening – no land left unturned.
• b. On grassland there is no opening.
5. START
• a. The start shall consist of 11 or 12 furrows.
• b. Competitors must cast towards the next highest numbered plot.
6. FINISH
• a. The finish shall consist of the last 8 furrows.
• b. Last furrow to be cast towards competitors’ own start.
7. DEPTH
Depth to be reached on completion of start and adhered to until commencing the finish.
Minimum depth: 15 cm.
8. 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. Twin tractor wheels not allowed.
• d. Three sighting poles only (one can be placed on the headland) – assistance to set and remove is allowed. No other assistance allowed including no assistance by signal, radio contact, mobile phone or any other method.
• e. Handling, shaping or treading of scratches or furrows is not allowed.
• f. Only one tractor and one plough wheel mark allowed at the finish.
• g. Only the competitor allowed to clean the plot of straw, stones, etc. Clearing stubble is not allowed and will be penalised.
• h. Competitors must produce evidence of age of tractor if requested.
• i. The use of Global Positioning Technology, laser beams or any other electronic or computerised measuring devices are not allowed.
• j. Any abuse or dispute by a competitor with an official or fellow competitor is not acceptable. Penalty – 20 points.
9. SAFETY
• a. Passengers not allowed on tractors or ploughs at any time.
• b. Society of Ploughmen Safety Policy to be adhered to at all times.
10. FINAL DECISION
Any question arising and not provided for in these rules shall be decided by the chief steward whose decision shall be final and binding.
Judges Method of Scoring – Ferguson Ploughs
OPENING .............................................................. 20
START (11 or 12 furrows) ............................................. 20
SEED BED ............................................................. 20
FIRMNESS ............................................................. 20
UNIFORMITY ........................................................... 20
FINISH ............................................................... 20
INS AND OUTS ......................................................... 20
STRAIGHTNESS ......................................................... 20
GENERAL APPEARANCE ................................................... 20
FIXED PENALTY DEDUCTIONS
Two tractor wheel marks - Up to 20 points penalty
Finish wrong way - 20 points penalty
Depth infringement - 20 points per cm less than specified depth
Rolling - 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
Any other penalty deduction will be decided by the chief steward.
Equipment
1. Adjustable screw top links are allowed.
2. Lever adjusters on cross shafts are allowed.
3. Tractor cabs are allowed.
4. Diesel engine conversions are allowed.
5. Hydraulic top links, other hydraulic rams and quick entry top links are not allowed.
6. Weights on tractors or ploughs are allowed.
7. Stubble chains, or any other attachment used to bury stubble, are not allowed.
8. Two-piece adjustable tailpieces are not allowed.