Planters Cole planter

   / Cole planter #1  

buntrock

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2009
Messages
26
Location
st matthews s c
Tractor
yanmar 1700
I have a Cole planter I inherited from my dad ,it is in like new condition.It is mounted on a cultivator set up for a Cat #1 three point hitch.I am using the factory corn plate and can't get it to plant,I have the factory manual and have adjusted everything until I am blue in the face . Is there a trick to getting this thing to plant?
 
   / Cole planter #2  
Hey,
First off..... have you got a model number? Mine's a 12MX with the fertilizer hopper in back. Different soil types effect this planters performance alot. The soil needs to be damp not dry or the press wheel slides instead of roll. If your soil is loose and sandy, have your big spring adjusted as loose as possible. With the planter raised up turn the press wheel with your hand if you feel any resistance back off the locking nut. Grease the wear points.

T
 
   / Cole planter #3  
They are tricky to plant with. I agree with the spring comment above. What is the specific behavior? Are the pack wheels (which drives the mech) not turning? Are the wheels turning but the seeds aren't "falling out"?
 
   / Cole planter
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Yep mine is a 12mx, but now have bigger concerns.I didn't do my homework and bought a yanmar 1700 from a dealer in SC undoubtly I bought the nightmare you read about!While driving from garden to shed no oil pressure and white smoke from exaust.I installed a water pump and mechanical gauges shortly after I purchased the tractor. I have used it only a couple times and just guessing maybe 5or 6 Hrs. at the most.Do your homework before you buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
   / Cole planter
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Thanks to "Hoye Tractor" back in business.Good people!
 
   / Cole planter #8  
I have a similar setup and caught the devil with mine too. Tomtom is right on about the planting when the soil is moist. Also, the sand doesn't help things. I'm sure you have nothing but sand in St. Matthews like I do in Rembert.
 
   / Cole planter
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Yep I just gave up I think I'll use it to lay off rows and put down fertilizer then hand plant my corn etc. It does that very well without binding up. I have a set of culitvators so I can work my veggies after they come up and since I'll be using my planter to lay off the rows everything will be spaced correctly.
 
   / Cole planter #10  
I am by no means an expert with the 12MX as I just purchased a used one a few weeks ago. Because the main bearing was ceased I did spend the better part of a day taking mine apart to completely clean and lube it and make it run like new. It now takes very little force to move the large drive wheels.

Last week I used my 12mx to plant almost an acre of sweet corn in some really soft well tilled ground. Tomorrow I'll plant an acre of pumpkins. Sure beats pushing my Earthway Planter back and forth.

If your seed plate is binding up here what I would check. Make sure there is a washer between the drive gear and seed plate. Also check that your seed plate cap is not over tightened and binding with the seed plate. You want the seed plate just snug enough so that nothing can get between the seed plate and the bottom of the hopper. Last check that the pin on the seed plate cap is actually in one of the holes in the partition. If not your seed plate will continually tighten and bind with the bottom of the hopper.

BTW, here's a question for you corn planters. What fertilizer setting do you use when planting corn?
 
 
 
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