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.

 

[beersngars]

Well, you did ask.

Very nice!!! I have only been into tractors less than a year now and from the time I started looking, the MF135 was top of the list. After searching much of last summer, and wasting lots of gas, I gave in and just bought new. A new Kubota! Don't get me wrong, I love the L3400, but the lines on the old MF's are the BOMB.

 

[Bill Barrett]

I think I told you before Farmwithjunk, that sure is a nice MF!

 

[Dascro]

FarmwithJunk,

You have a very nice tractor. I love those old Massey's. A farm close to ours had all Massey's when I was growing up. I always liked them and always wanted one. Maybe someday.

We have a Deere Model 71 planter with fertilizer hoppers. All original and still in use. We use it to plant our sweet corn and some small deer plots. Its been a great planter for many years!!!

I would like to get a Massey Model 36, but can't seem to find any worth what they are asking.

Dave

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Well, you did ask.

That's not a tractor, that's a piece of jewelry.

 

[wolc123]

Hey FWJ, that looks to be a 6ft bush-hog squealer on the back of that awsome looking MF. I had a 5 ftr for many years. It was ok on my 8n but got busted up pretty bad when I used it at higher ground speed on a Ford 2000 that had a good bit more pto hp. I had to weld angle almost all the way around the top of the shell and beef up the frame. It always made a real neat cut and I never had anything but structural problems that could be easily repaired with welder and some scrap steel. Unfortunately, when I sold the 2000 (which was pretty well spent) , the guy that bought it really wanted the beefed up squealer and I had to let it go or would probably still be stuck with that wore out tractor. I replaced it with a Rhino 6 ftr which is structurely sound but does not cut nearly as neat as that old bush hog. Do you have similar experiences with Rhino, and how has that squealer held up for you? The one I had was an early eighties model.

 

[hdbikercouple]

wow i found a mf planter on e bay for $600. and it is not done yet. wondering how much they cost new. just an fyi

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hey FWJ, that looks to be a 6ft bush-hog squealer on the back of that awsome looking MF. I had a 5 ftr for many years. It was ok on my 8n but got busted up pretty bad when I used it at higher ground speed on a Ford 2000 that had a good bit more pto hp. I had to weld angle almost all the way around the top of the shell and beef up the frame. It always made a real neat cut and I never had anything but structural problems that could be easily repaired with welder and some scrap steel. Unfortunately, when I sold the 2000 (which was pretty well spent) , the guy that bought it really wanted the beefed up squealer and I had to let it go or would probably still be stuck with that wore out tractor. I replaced it with a Rhino 6 ftr which is structurely sound but does not cut nearly as neat as that old bush hog. Do you have similar experiences with Rhino, and how has that squealer held up for you? The one I had was an early eighties model.

It's a Bush Hog 286. Very stout mower for a medium duty model.

 

[jregis56]

nice planter I bought one a couple months ago but it missing the fertilizer box if you could point me in the right direction to find one would be great thanks joel

 

[Redbug]

Wow FWJ, I can't believe what good shape she's in. It looks hardly used.

I would guess that the planters, (especially 2 rows), will continue to go up in price as more folks start planting their own gardens. Food prices have really started to jump and people may be trying different approaches to make ends meet. If you have kids, I can't think of a better hobby than gardening since they would learn all about being self sufficient and doing something real, (as opposed to the TV or computer games).

 

[xray]

hey farm with junk.Hows that mf 39 planter comin along.I have found one that is in pretty rough shape but hoping to fix her up.Where can you find parts for these planters.Thx for any help.