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Rules For Reversible Ploughing
1. PLOUGHS
• a. All ploughs to be fitted with skimmers.
• b. Tailpieces are allowed – maximum size to be 26cm long and 22cm wide. The end of tailpiece to be no more than 32cm from the end of the mouldboard.
• c. All plough bodies must be used when ploughing the finish.
• d. Extraneous attachments that manipulate the furrows or scratches are not allowed.
2. 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 opening to be judged.
• c. 3 hours to complete the plot. Penalty for failure to finish plot at finishing signal – 10 points per minute or part minute.
• d. Maximum of one hour only allowed for a breakdown.
3. OPENING
Single furrow opening with right-hand bodies.
4. START
The start comprises 8 or 9 furrows and is ploughed with the front left body towards the neighbouring lower numbered plot.
5. FINISH
Finish to consist of last 19 or 20 furrows for 2 furrow ploughs or 20 or 21 furrows for 3 furrow ploughs. Penalty for incorrect number of furrows in the finish – 20 points.
6. DEPTH
Depth to be reached on completion of start and adhered to until commencing the finish.
Minimum depth 20 cm.
7. PLOUGHING
• a. The competitor should make a scratch for his finishing furrows whilst the openings are being judged. After the opening has been judged, the competitor proceeds to:
• b. Plough 8 or 9 furrows towards the lower numbered plot.
• c. Start at the next highest number and complete his ‘butts’.
• d. Complete the last 19 or 20 furrows for 2 furrow ploughs; or 20 or 21 furrows for 3 furrow ploughs.
• e. Alternate bodies to be used at all times. Each run to be completed before the plough is turned over.
• f. The use of sighting poles at the start of the butts is not allowed.
• g. When ploughing the butts, competitors cannot travel to end of plot to turn.
NOTE: When ploughing the joining furrow, attachments are not allowed, but it is permissible to show only one full furrow on the first run.
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. 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.
• d. Handling, treading or shaping of scratches or furrows is not allowed.
• e. 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. The use of Global Positioning Technology, laser beams or any other electronic or computerised measuring devices are not allowed.
• i. Any abuse or dispute by a competitor with an official or fellow competitor is not acceptable. Penalty – 20 points deduction.
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 questions 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 – Reversible Ploughs
OPENING .............................................................. 20
Well cut, uniform and straight
START (8 or 9 furrows) ............................................... 20
Uniform and level
SEED BED ............................................................. 20
Weed control and soil made available
FIRMNESS ............................................................. 20
Firm, well packed furrows, no holes
UNIFORMITY ........................................................... 20
Clearly defined uniform furrows and no pairing of furrows
JOINING FURROW & BUTTS ............................................... 20
Neat, accurate with no dips or mounds
FINISH (last 19 or 20 furrows) ....................................... 20
Uniform and shallow
ACCURACY OF FINAL FURROW ............................................. 20
Close to first furrow with no unploughed or re-ploughed land
INS AND OUTS ......................................................... 20
Neat, accurate and regular
STRAIGHTNESS ......................................................... 20
Straightness of the whole plot
GENERAL APPEARANCE ................................................... 20
Workmanship and general appearance of the whole plot
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
Incorrect number of furrows in the finish .................. 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
Any other penalty deduction will be decided by the chief steward