6 hours ago
A Regional Manufacturer with a Niche Design
Watts Manufacturing, once based in Idaho, produced a line of agricultural implements including the two-way plough—a reversible moldboard plough designed for hilly terrain and efficient field coverage. Though never a major national brand, Watts earned a reputation in the Pacific Northwest for building durable, practical tools suited to the region’s mixed soils and sloped farmland.
The two-way plough, sometimes called a rollover or reversible plough, allowed the operator to flip the moldboards at the end of each pass, maintaining consistent furrow direction without creating ridges or dead furrows. This design was especially useful in contour farming and on land where turning space was limited.
Terminology:
The Watts two-way plough was typically built as a three-bottom unit, meaning it had three moldboards per side. The frame was heavy-duty, with a central pivot mechanism that allowed the entire assembly to rotate. This rotation was controlled by a linkage system—often hydraulic or mechanical—that flipped the plough when the operator reached the end of a row.
However, many surviving units today are missing key linkage components, making turnover difficult or impossible. Without the correct geometry and leverage, the plough won’t rotate fully, leaving the operator with a half-functioning tool.
Common issues include:
Comparisons with Other Two-Way Ploughs
While Watts was a regional player, other manufacturers like Kverneland, Ransomes, and International Harvester produced more refined two-way ploughs with standardized parts and broader dealer support. Watts units were often heavier and simpler, relying on brute strength rather than precision engineering.
Comparison highlights:
Restoration Tips and Field Adaptation
Restoring a Watts two-way plough requires patience and fabrication skills. Original parts are scarce, and documentation is nearly nonexistent. However, many components can be reverse-engineered or adapted from other brands.
Recommendations:
Historical Context and Decline
Watts Manufacturing likely ceased operations in the late 20th century, as consolidation in the agricultural equipment industry pushed out smaller regional builders. The rise of minimum tillage and no-till farming also reduced demand for moldboard ploughs, especially in the western U.S.
By the 1990s, most two-way ploughs were either scrapped or relegated to fence rows. Today, surviving Watts units are rare and often misunderstood, with many owners unaware of their turnover capability.
In 2021, a collector in Idaho unearthed a complete Watts plough in a barn that had been untouched since the 1970s. After a full restoration, he displayed it at a vintage farm equipment show, where it drew attention from engineers curious about its pivot design.
Conclusion
The Watts two-way plough was a clever solution to a specific farming challenge—how to plough efficiently on sloped or confined land. Though its manufacturer is long gone and its parts hard to find, the machine itself remains a testament to regional ingenuity. With careful restoration and a bit of mechanical creativity, these ploughs can still serve in the field or stand proudly as artifacts of agricultural history.
Watts Manufacturing, once based in Idaho, produced a line of agricultural implements including the two-way plough—a reversible moldboard plough designed for hilly terrain and efficient field coverage. Though never a major national brand, Watts earned a reputation in the Pacific Northwest for building durable, practical tools suited to the region’s mixed soils and sloped farmland.
The two-way plough, sometimes called a rollover or reversible plough, allowed the operator to flip the moldboards at the end of each pass, maintaining consistent furrow direction without creating ridges or dead furrows. This design was especially useful in contour farming and on land where turning space was limited.
Terminology:
- Moldboard Plough: A plough that turns over the soil to bury crop residue and prepare the seedbed.
- Dead Furrow: A trench left between two plough passes when the furrows face opposite directions.
- Contour Farming: A method of ploughing along the natural contours of the land to reduce erosion.
The Watts two-way plough was typically built as a three-bottom unit, meaning it had three moldboards per side. The frame was heavy-duty, with a central pivot mechanism that allowed the entire assembly to rotate. This rotation was controlled by a linkage system—often hydraulic or mechanical—that flipped the plough when the operator reached the end of a row.
However, many surviving units today are missing key linkage components, making turnover difficult or impossible. Without the correct geometry and leverage, the plough won’t rotate fully, leaving the operator with a half-functioning tool.
Common issues include:
- Missing or bent turnover linkage
- Seized pivot bushings
- Incomplete hydraulic connections
- Frame twist from improper storage or transport
Comparisons with Other Two-Way Ploughs
While Watts was a regional player, other manufacturers like Kverneland, Ransomes, and International Harvester produced more refined two-way ploughs with standardized parts and broader dealer support. Watts units were often heavier and simpler, relying on brute strength rather than precision engineering.
Comparison highlights:
- Watts: Rugged frame, limited documentation, rare parts
- Kverneland: Lightweight, modular, widely supported
- Ransomes: British-built, elegant turnover geometry
- IH: Integrated hydraulic turnover, common in North America
- Turnover Geometry: The mechanical design that governs how the plough flips over, affecting speed and reliability.
- Modular Frame: A frame built from interchangeable components for easier repair and customization.
Restoration Tips and Field Adaptation
Restoring a Watts two-way plough requires patience and fabrication skills. Original parts are scarce, and documentation is nearly nonexistent. However, many components can be reverse-engineered or adapted from other brands.
Recommendations:
- Use high-strength steel for replacement linkage arms
- Install grease fittings on pivot points to prevent seizure
- Reinforce the turnover pivot with gussets if frame twist is evident
- Add a hydraulic cylinder with flow restrictors for controlled flipping
- Gusset: A triangular reinforcement plate used to strengthen joints.
- Flow Restrictor: A hydraulic fitting that limits fluid speed to prevent sudden movement.
Historical Context and Decline
Watts Manufacturing likely ceased operations in the late 20th century, as consolidation in the agricultural equipment industry pushed out smaller regional builders. The rise of minimum tillage and no-till farming also reduced demand for moldboard ploughs, especially in the western U.S.
By the 1990s, most two-way ploughs were either scrapped or relegated to fence rows. Today, surviving Watts units are rare and often misunderstood, with many owners unaware of their turnover capability.
In 2021, a collector in Idaho unearthed a complete Watts plough in a barn that had been untouched since the 1970s. After a full restoration, he displayed it at a vintage farm equipment show, where it drew attention from engineers curious about its pivot design.
Conclusion
The Watts two-way plough was a clever solution to a specific farming challenge—how to plough efficiently on sloped or confined land. Though its manufacturer is long gone and its parts hard to find, the machine itself remains a testament to regional ingenuity. With careful restoration and a bit of mechanical creativity, these ploughs can still serve in the field or stand proudly as artifacts of agricultural history.
