Planters Any suggestions for a planter????

leeinmemphis · May 3, 2006

Hey everyone,

I am wanting a small planter to put behind my Kubota 5040. I am wanting to do some food plots for deer/turkey hunting and am mainly wanting to do corn, sunflowers and maybe some soybeans(likely need a drill for them from what I've heard). I was wondering if someone could recommend some models/years that I should start looking for? So far all the ones that I have seen look like junk. I'ld prefer to maybe spend a little more upfront and avoid some future headaches......any help would be appreciated.

TNhobbyfarmer · May 4, 2006

I am on my second two row planter that I use for wildlife plots. I have planted corn (sweet corn for myself and 3 acres of field corn for the deer) as well as sunflowers for a dove hunt. The first planter I had was a JD 246. That planter was probably 50 or more years old but still functional. It served my purposes for 4 or 5 years. I paid $300.00 for it and sold it at auction for $325.00.

My newest toy is a two row planter with JD 71 planter units. This is my first year to use it. I paid $395.00 for it, and I consider that a good deal. These type planters sell for up to $800-900 on ebay.

This planter is far superior to the old JD 246 planter. I would highly recommend spending a little more and getting one of the 71 planters. They are much easier to use and far more accurate and reliable.

I would suggest getting a manual for any planter you get. You will need it, especially for getting the proper sprocket combinations for plant populations.

Bob_Skurka · May 4, 2006

I use a 2 row JD 71 Flexi planter. I use it for 3 things, corn, sunflower, beans. It works great. It is super easy to use, reliable, and parts are still available for them! New seed plates are still being made for these units too.

Typical prices on Ebay are about $800 for a 2 row unit, and that is if you can find one on Ebay. They are commonly found at farm auctions in 6, 8 and 10 row versions, but they are in demand by real farmers!

leeinmemphis · May 4, 2006

Do you use the same plates for beans, corn, and sunflowers?

leeinmemphis · May 4, 2006

I found a really nice Model 71 on Ebay. It was refurbished and the guy had great feedback for restoring the planters and the condition they are delivered in. He also said he would install the Cat. 2 pins and give me plates for corn, soybeans, and sunflowers.

Farmwithjunk · May 5, 2006

#71 Deere planters are about as simple as a planter can get. Get a manual, learn the adjustments, and find a variety of seed plates. Your good to go for a long, long time that way.

Go to Deere for most parts. Yetter Mfg still makes the #71. (They always did. Under contract with Deere. When Deere dropped the #71, Yetter bought the design rights and sells them new. Dust off your wallet though, and sit down before they give you the price. You'd think they're made out of OIL.)

cowpie1 · May 7, 2006

Try these guys out. Happened upon them one day and looks like who I want to go with in the near future.

Here's the link: http://www.starcomfg.com/products.html

Think they could put together just about whatever you are looking for, and plant just about anything you want.