Walking Plow beam

[Mark Loeschke]

I have a walking plow with a wood main beam that has rotted apart , it is basically a 4x4 10 foot long with shaping along the way. My question is what woods should I make it of?

[Jim Becker]

You want to use something that's durable for outdoor use and storage...white oak (not red oak) would be a strong species that's suitable, IMHO.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Jim's right, and cool project! Watched my grandfather make one with a drawknife a brace and about 30 mins when I was a kid. Deere plow?

[Bob Johnson2]

You could look at ash too.

[Mark Loeschke]

I haven’t studied it enough to find any logos

[Bill Dufour]

Location? Maybe teak or ipe if that is cheap in your area.
Bill D

[Tom Bain]

Although it’s difficult to work, would seem like a great place for Black Locust.

[Bill Dufour]

https://www.wood-database.com/australian-buloke/ hardest wood in the world. any growing near you? Not sure about weathering resistance.
Bil lD

[Mark Loeschke]

Thanks, I live at northeast South Dakota so oak and ash will be what I will look for.

[Ole Anderson]

I believe white oak tops the list. Welcome to the Creek BTW!!! If you update your profile, we will see where you are from. Very useful in many inquires.

[Richard Coers]

You could look at ash too.

Ash would be strong and easy to work, but does not have good rot resistance.

[Jim Becker]

Thanks, I live at northeast South Dakota so oak and ash will be what I will look for.

To be clear...you want White Oak, not Red Oak. The latter is like multiple soda straws strung together and degrades quickly in moisture and weather. I don't know that I'd use ash, either. The black locust that someone mentioned is also worthy...but harder to come by and "fun" to work.

[Ken Combs]

You can add pecan or hickory to your list of 'strong enough' woods. The two are so much alike they are usually sold as one wood.

The black locust would last forever, but finding long pieces is a challenge.

White oak is very rot resistant and big pieces are readily available.

Pecan/Hickory is somewhat better at rot resistance than most woods and big pieces are easy to find, at least here in Ok.

[Jim Matthews]

If it's for actual use in the garden, weight matters. If it's for decoration, use whatever you like and finish it with Spar Varnish.