Prairie Breaking Plow, circa 1860

Summary

The thick, root-bound sod of the American prairies was too tough for regular plows. Huge steel plows, drawn by many oxen, were specially developed to break through the unplowed prairie soils. This is a smaller version of those sod-busting plows, made possible by improved casting techniques which made the plow share smoother and easier to pull through the soil.

The thick, root-bound sod of the American prairies was too tough for regular plows. Huge steel plows, drawn by many oxen, were specially developed to break through the unplowed prairie soils. This is a smaller version of those sod-busting plows, made possible by improved casting techniques which made the plow share smoother and easier to pull through the soil.

Artifact

Plow (Agricultural equipment)

Date Made

circa 1860

Place of Creation

United States 

Greenfield Village
 On Exhibit

at Greenfield Village in Soybean Lab Agricultural Gallery

Object ID

00.119.24

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Wood (Plant material)
Steel (Alloy)
Iron (Metal)

Dimensions

Width: 26 in

Length: 134 in

Inscriptions

S.C.P. CO./AE-2

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