Hydraulic Reversible Plough: Sizes, Tractor HP and Setup Guide

A hydraulic reversible plough turns soil in the same direction on every pass, so the field is left flat with no back furrows or dead furrows in the middle. For large tractors working big fields, it is the most efficient way to plough. This guide explains how a reversible plough works, how to read the model numbers, which size suits a 120–240 hp tractor, and how to set it up for a straight, even furrow.

How Does a Reversible Plough Work?

A conventional mouldboard plough only throws soil to one side. To plough a field you must work in “lands”, leaving ridges and open furrows where the lands meet. A reversible plough carries two sets of bodies on one beam – one right-hand set and one left-hand set, mounted upside-down to each other. At the end of each row a hydraulic cylinder rotates the beam 180°, bringing the other set into work. The tractor turns round and ploughs back alongside the last furrow, throwing soil the same way.

The result is a level field, shorter turning time at the headland and no need to mark out lands.

SH Hydraulic Reversible Plough Specifications

Model	Working width	Working depth	No. of shares	Weight	Tractor power
1SH-345	1.35 m	350–400 mm	6	1000 kg	120–150 hp
1SH-445	1.8 m	350–400 mm	8	1200 kg	150–180 hp
1SH-545	2.25 m	350–400 mm	10	1400 kg	180–240 hp

Reading the model number

Because the plough has two sets of bodies, the share count is double the number of furrows cut per pass. The 1SH-345 carries 6 shares and works 3 furrows of 45 cm each (1.35 m); the 1SH-445 works 4 furrows (1.8 m); the 1SH-545 works 5 furrows (2.25 m). All three plough 350–400 mm deep and fit a standard three-point linkage.

Which Size for Your Tractor?

Deep ploughing at 350–400 mm takes a lot of power, so stay inside the recommended range:

• 120–150 hp: 1SH-345, 3 furrows.
• 150–180 hp: 1SH-445, 4 furrows.
• 180–240 hp: 1SH-545, 5 furrows.

On heavy clay or dry, hard ground, choose the size at the lower end of your tractor’s band. Also check the tractor’s rear lift capacity – a reversible plough is heavy, and the tractor needs front ballast to keep steering when the plough is raised. Our tractor horsepower guide and 100–200 hp tractors help you match the pair.

Setting Up for a Good Furrow

1. Level the plough: with the plough in work, adjust the lift arms so the beam is level side to side, and the top link so the bodies run level front to back.
2. Set the turnover stops: each side has its own stop bolt. Adjust both so the bodies stand upright on both passes.
3. Set the front furrow width: the first body must cut the same width as the others, or you leave a ridge or a gap next to the previous furrow.
4. Check the depth: plough a short run, measure and adjust the depth wheel or tractor draft control until all bodies cut the same depth.
5. Turn safely: lift fully and stop moving before rotating the plough at the headland.

Reversible Plough vs Other Ploughs

For smaller tractors, a fixed mouldboard plough does the same inversion at lower cost. On stony, root-filled or very hard ground, a disc plough rides over obstacles more easily – see our disc plough vs mouldboard plough comparison. After ploughing, a disc harrow breaks the furrow slices into a seedbed. Good tillage practice is a core theme of the FAO’s work on sustainable agricultural mechanization.

FAQ

Why choose a reversible plough?

It leaves the field level with no back furrows or dead furrows and saves time at the headlands.

How deep does it plough?

All SH hydraulic reversible ploughs work 350–400 mm deep.

What tractor do I need?

From 120 hp for the 1SH-345 up to 240 hp for the 1SH-545.

Does it need a double-acting hydraulic valve?

The turnover is hydraulic, so the tractor needs a spare hydraulic outlet. Tell us your tractor model and we will confirm.

Get a Quote

Send us your tractor HP, soil type and destination port, and we will recommend the right size. See all models on our ploughs page.