M.B. plough consists of following parts: 1. Share 2. Mouldboard 3. Land side 4. Frog 5. Tail Piece.
Component # 1. Share:
It is that part of the plough bottom which penetrates into the soil and makes a horizontal cut below the surface. It penetrates into the soil and makes a horizontal cut below the soil surface. It is a sharp, well-polished and pointed component.
Different portions of the share are called by different names such as:
(a) Share Point
(b) Cutting Edge
(c) Wing of Share
(d) Gunnel
(e) Cleavage Edge and
(f) Wing Bearing
(a) Share Point:
It is the forward end of the cutting edge which actually penetrates into the soil.
(b) Cutting Edge:
It is the front edge of the share which makes horizontal cut in the soil. It is beveled to some distance.
(c) Wing of Share:
It is the outer end of the cutting edge of the share. It supports the plough bottom.
(d) Gunnel:
It is the vertical face of the share which slides along the furrow wall. It takes the side thrust of the soil and supports the plough bottom against the furrow wall.
(e) Cleavage Edge:
It is the edge of the share which forms joint between mouldboard and share on the frog.
(f) Wing Bearing:
It is the level portion of the wing of the share, providing a bearing for the outer corner of the plough bottom.
Material of Share:
The shares are made of chilled cast iron or steel. The steel mainly contains about 0.70 to 0.80% carbon and about 0.50 to 0.80% manganese besides other minor elements.
Type of Share:
Share is of different types such as:
i. Slip Share
ii. Slipnose Share
iii. Shin Share and
iv. Bar Point Share
i. Slip Share:
It is one piece share with curved cutting edge, having no additional part. It is a common type of share, mostly used by the farmers. It is simple in design, but it has got the disadvantage that the entire share has to be replaced if it is worn out due to constant use.
ii. Slipnose Share:
It is a share in which the point of share is provided by a small detachable piece. It has the advantage that share point can be replaced as and when required. If the point is worn out, it can be changed without replacing the entire share, effecting considerable economy.
iii. Shin Share:
It is a share having a shin as an additional part. It is similar to the slip share with the difference that an extension is provided to it by the side of the mouldboard.
iv. Bar Point Share:
It is a share in which the point of the share is provides by an adjustable and replaceable bar. This bar serves the purpose of point of the share and landside of the plough.
Component # 2. Mouldboard:
It is the curved part which lifts and turns the furrow slice. It is that part of the plough which receives the furrow slice from the share. It lifts, turns and breaks the furrow slice. To suit different soil conditions and crop requirements, mouldboard has been designed in different shapes.
The mouldboard is of following types:
i. General purpose
ii. Stubble
iii. Sod or Breaker and
iv. Slat
i. General Purpose:
It is a mouldboard having medium curvature lying between stubble and sod. The sloping of the surface is gradual. It turns the well-defined furrow slice and pulverises the soil thoroughly. It turns the well-defined furrow long mouldboard with a face being slightly convex.
ii. Stubble Type:
It is a short but broader mouldboard with a relatively abrupt curvature which lifts breaks and turns the furrow slice used in stubble soils. Its curvature is not gradual but it is abrupt along the top edge.
This causes the furrow slice to be thrown off quickly, pulverising it much better than other types of mouldboard. This is best suited to work in stubble soil that is under cultivation for years together. Stubble soil is that soil in which stubble of the plants from the previous crop is still left on the land at the time of ploughing. This type of mouldboard is not suitable for lands full of grasses.
iii. Sod or Breaker Type:
It is a long mouldboard with gentle curvature which lifts and inverts the unbroken furrow slice. It is used in tough soil of grasses. It turns over thickly covered soil. This is very useful where complete inversion of soil is required by the farmer. This type has been designed for use in sod soils.
iv. Slat Type:
It is a mouldboard whose surface is made of slats placed along the length of the mouldboard, so that there are gaps between the slats. This type of mouldboard is often used, where the soil is sticky, because the solid mouldboard does not scour well in sticky soils.
Component # 3. Landside:
It is the flat plate which bears against and transmits the rear side lateral thrust of the plough bottom to the furrow wall. It is the flat plate which bears against and transmits lateral thrust of the plough bottom to the furrow wall. It helps to resist the side pressure exerted by the furrow slice on the mouldboard. It also helps in stabilizing the plough while it is in operation. Landside is fastened to the frog with the help of plough bolts. The rear bottom end of the landside is known as Heel which rubs against the furrow sole.
Component # 4. Frog:
Frog is that part of the plough bottom to which the other components of the plough bottom are attached. Other components of the plough bottom are attached to it. It is an irregular piece of metal. It may be made of cast iron forecast iron ploughs or it may be welded steel for steel ploughs.
Component # 5. Tail Piece:
It is an adjustable extension, which can be fastened to the rear of a mouldboard to help in turning a furrow slice. And also an important extension of mouldboard which helps in turning a furrow slice.