</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