Everyone needs 2 or 3 corn planters!

[Farmwithjunk]

At least that's what I tried to explain to my wife. (Not sure she bought it though.)

Just hauled this'n in today. I've got a nice 2-row deere #71 planter, but I can't resist a bargain. Actually, I'm shopping around for all the correct implements to go with my MF150.

This is a 1974 Massey Ferguson #39 2-row planter, edge drop seed plates, fertilizer attachment (in incredable condition regardless of age) . Slowly over the next few weeks I'll start to clean it up and give it a very good painting. For now, it sits in the shop floor waiting it's turn.

As the refurbishing goes along, I'll post pictures. For now, here what we have to work with.

Also nabbed a pair of Massey Ferguson front wheel weights. 2 pieces per wheel. They fit any 15" or 16" implement wheel. Don't need 'em on the 150. (plenty heavy on the front already) But I have 'em.

[RobS]

Looks like a beauty! Your place is going to look like a Massey Brochure when you're all done.

[wolc123]

That sure does look to be in great shape. I like planters like that with fertilizer attachments much more than the 71 types which lack this feature. On my farm, I get good corn yields by applying only 50 lbs/acre of 15-15-15 fertilizer with the planter. I plant the corn on old white clover fields which I plow under 4-6". The light fertilizer application at planting is all that is required until roots are developed which tap into the nitrogen reserves stored by the clover. With the skyrocketing costs of fertilizer, especially nitrogen, I would expect this method to get a lot more popular in the coming seasons, and demand for planters with fertilizer attachments to rise. It is much more efficient to drop the fertilizer on the rows than to broadcast over the entire field.

[beersngars]

Nice find. I sure love the looks of those old Masseys. Any more pics of the tractor?

[Farmwithjunk]

Nice find. I sure love the looks of those old Masseys. Any more pics of the tractor?

Well, you did ask.

[Farmwithjunk]

That sure does look to be in great shape. I like planters like that with fertilizer attachments much more than the 71 types which lack this feature. On my farm, I get good corn yields by applying only 50 lbs/acre of 15-15-15 fertilizer with the planter. I plant the corn on old white clover fields which I plow under 4-6". The light fertilizer application at planting is all that is required until roots are developed which tap into the nitrogen reserves stored by the clover. With the skyrocketing costs of fertilizer, especially nitrogen, I would expect this method to get a lot more popular in the coming seasons, and demand for planters with fertilizer attachments to rise. It is much more efficient to drop the fertilizer on the rows than to broadcast over the entire field.

#71's were offered with a dry fertilizer option. I've seen exactly ONE planter with them. I used liquid fertilizer and a home-made aplicator on my #71's when they were a 4-row unit.

[Robert_in_NY]

Bill, how are you doing buddy.

If you don't mind, how much did you pay for that planter? We have an International 56 4 row unit that we use for all our planting right now but we have wanted to buy a decent 2 row unit to use for our local NWTF chapter so the guys can plant corn for the turkeys. However, around here a 2 row planters bring more then most 4 row units of the same if not newer era as most landowners want a 2 row.

[Farmwithjunk]

Bill, how are you doing buddy.

If you don't mind, how much did you pay for that planter? We have an International 56 4 row unit that we use for all our planting right now but we have wanted to buy a decent 2 row unit to use for our local NWTF chapter so the guys can plant corn for the turkeys. However, around here a 2 row planters bring more then most 4 row units of the same if not newer era as most landowners want a 2 row.

Counting cost to get it home, I've got $435 in it so far. I've seen 'em in a lot rougher shape bring over $600. I saw one with disc openers sell for $900. I bought a Ford 2-row a couple months ago for $410. Just sold it for $650.

[wolc123]

Thanks for posting the costs. I was interested also but afraid to ask. Prices sure have risen in the 10 or more years it has been since I bought one. I got an early 60's, 2-row, working, JD, 3 pt model with rubber coated tires for $175 back then. It is amazing to me that nobody wants the 4-rows anymore. There has been an old IH with a for-sale sign on it down the road from me for more than 3 years now. I think I will stop and look if I can cut it in half and make a couple of those in-demand 2-rows. It has (2) fertilizer and (4) seed hoppers. Also, my FIL has an old 2-row JD 290 without fertilizer hoppers, that worked when he parked it (2) years ago, he said I could have it but I didn't know if it would be worth my time to fix up. You certainly answered that question for me. The paint, tires, markers, frame, sprockets, and chains are in good shape. What do you suppose I could get for that if I got it greased up and working good?

[Farmwithjunk]

Thanks for posting the costs. I was interested also but afraid to ask. Prices sure have risen in the 10 or more years it has been since I bought one. I got an early 60's, 2-row, working, JD, 3 pt model with rubber coated tires for $175 back then. It is amazing to me that nobody wants the 4-rows anymore. There has been an old IH with a for-sale sign on it down the road from me for more than 3 years now. I think I will stop and look if I can cut it in half and make a couple of those in-demand 2-rows. It has (2) fertilizer and (4) seed hoppers. Also, my FIL has an old 2-row JD 290 without fertilizer hoppers, that worked when he parked it (2) years ago, he said I could have it but I didn't know if it would be worth my time to fix up. You certainly answered that question for me. The paint, tires, markers, frame, sprockets, and chains are in good shape. What do you suppose I could get for that if I got it greased up and working good?

Some 4-row planters don't lend themselves to being cut down to make 2 pairs. If they're "unit planters" where each row is a self contained, self driven unit, they are a piece of cake. Ground driven dedicated 4-row (or bigger) can be cut down, but you use the drive for one and loose it for the second.

290 deere planters sell OK, especially with fertilizer attachments. They don't bring the bucks that a Deere 246 would. (2-row, 3-point from same era) Most decent 290's seem to sell in the $200 to $350 range, maybe a little higher for one that's perfect.

#71 Deere planters are extremely popular. They're so simple, dependable, and accurate. Problem is, maybe 5% of them were equipped with dry fertilizer attachments. Liquid fert. applicators are a lot of trouble for a small planter. Planters like the MF#39 are MUCH more convenient for fast, easy small-scale planting.

I've already located a SECOND #39 that I'm trying to buy. It has disc openers (on the seed drop) The fertilizer hopper is a ball of rust. I'm hoping to get it reasonable and transplant the disc openers onto my #39.