Planters 3pt corn planter

[PineRidge]

Here's an old Allis that I just sold for $100.00 It puts down seed and fertilizer. My neighbor needed it more than I did. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I have a JD 247 2 row corn planter. It has fertilizer boxes too. You can pick one of them up around here for about $150-200. What is it about the JD 71 model that makes them so much more expensive? Just curious.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a JD 247 2 row corn planter. It has fertilizer boxes too. You can pick one of them up around here for about $150-200. What is it about the JD 71 model that makes them so much more expensive? Just curious. )</font>

I sold a 246 planter last fall for $500. I've sold a couple others for more than that. The 246/247 was 1950 technology. (246 was a corn planter. The 247 was a COTTON/corn planter. some very sublte differences) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The #71 planter was late 1960's technology. They were much the same concept, but the #71 was FAR more simple to set up, and to operate. It was a "unit planter". Each row unit was self contained. They could be set at any row width with great ease. All the drive chain and sprocket assembly was enclosed to protect it from dirt. The #71 used disc openers instead of "runners" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Both were/are good planters. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

#71 planters also had many "attachments and optional parts/accessories that made them capable of planting many more seed types. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The #71 was the choice of most seed corn farms for years, until "vaccuum planters" hit the scene in the late 70's/early 80's. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Time has this way of being cruel to old iron. The mere fact that most #71 flex-planter units are 10,15, even 20 years newer than a typical 246/247 planter makes them worth more as a working planter. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Another "issue" is the fact that the #71 is one of the last "small planters" made. By the 1980's, it was hard to find much under 4 row. Todays 36 row planters won't lend themselves to becoming "garden planters" when farmers are done with them. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The #71 is still in production, manufactured by Yetter Company, the "sub-contractor" that actually produced them for Deere. Parts (NEW PARTS) are still available. (But not CHEAP) /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[PineRidge]

<font color="blue"> The #71 is still in production, manufactured by Yetter Company, the "sub-contractor" that actually produced them for Deere. Parts (NEW PARTS) are still available. (But not CHEAP) </font>

Have you priced new tractors lately? There's not much here purchased new that's not considered expensive. It'd real easy to get "sticker shock" just looking around.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Mike, for us little land owners, the 71 Flexi is a real bargain in price considering the flexibility they offer in terms of how many different things they will plant. The new Yetter units run a couple grand (actually if I recall my quote was near $4K) so all of a sudden the cut down reconditioned & repainted 71 Flexi units look like a great bargain, even if they run $700 to $850 for a 2 row unit.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Hey IndyDirtFarmer, you seem quite knowledgeable about the corn planters. My 246 seems to plant way too many kernals per acre. I am using the proper plate size. Are there other adjustments that can cut down on amount planted? Also, do the 71 models come with fertilizer boxes?

 

[sweettractors]

Go up a size on the seed corn size or change the chain drive sprocket to another setting to slow the plate rotation--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Over 100 Rebuilt Turning Plows and Cultipackers in Stock Today*

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

I'd suggest looking on Ebay, or elsewhere for a manual on the 246/247 planter. It will detail the sprocket/chain settings for seed rates. You CAN change plates to one with less cells, but the BEST way is to set the drive sprockets . There should be a "cluster" of gears just about at the middle of the planter. Thoses are the drives.Moveing the chain form one set to another will speed or slow the seed rates. Manuals for that planter pop up on Ebay all the time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rdln]

My jd 290 planter (1940's) took medium flat kernels, I believe it would stretch a bag (40lbs?) over 6 acres at 36" rows.

Sold the planter, now i just broadcast for wildlife food plots.

I towed the planter (not 3pt) behind my rototiller for a two pass operation (plow first) worked pretty well.

If I got my hands on 71s I would rig up a hard attachment to the tiller, could fit 4 across for beans, buckwheat, sorghum
with liquid fertilizer piped behind the packer with a tank hanging on the front weight bracket for ballast (would need it)

Not sure how the openers would work on just rototilled soil though, the old 290 shoes work ok.

I know, just day dreaming /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Sounds like you've got it all figured out Steve, not that I understand all your ideas, but it sounds like you have a plan. The more I hear about the 71 planters, the more I think I want one. I was happy with my 246 until I started reading about the 71. I need to quit reading about all these neat attachments, costing me too much $. The one question I haven't had answered.....do the 71's have fertilizer boxes? The pics posted earlier in this post looked as if they did not. I am on my 2nd planter. The first didn't have fert. boxes, the 246 does. I like having fert boxes. What say ye?