FarmWithJunk...another Flex 71 question

LabLuvR · May 4, 2008

And hopefully the last. In the manual it shows to adjust the depth on the planter you simply put out on a 2 pronged piece (adjustment stop) and turn to the proper hole. But...I cannot get the prong to pull out far enough to rotate the depth control cam. There is a round collar or sleeve within the spring that I think may be stopping the lever from coming back far enough to pull the pin which goes in the holes. I have looked at the pin because I thought maybe by chance it was too long. But it looks like an original item. The only way I can change the depth is to remove the bolt holding the assembly together and change it that way, which I am sure is not the way it is intended to work.

Also, am I correct in that you simply draw an imaginary line on the depth control plate to a hole to set your adjustment?

Thanks once again!

Tritonman · May 4, 2008

Try to loosen the bolt that holds the cam in a ways so that you can pull the adjuster out a little further.

LabLuvR · May 5, 2008

Well, I found the problem. There is a nut on the backside of the frame, that didn't show up in the instructions, attached to the bolt. I'm guessing someone may have added the nut at some point in time to insure the bolt didn't loosen which could affect the cam setting.

I'm still "guessing" though that I draw an imaginary line from the depth number to the corresponding hole. Also, there are two holes for the depth pin to go into on the planter body itself. I'm curious as to which hole I use.

Thanks!

Farmwithjunk · May 5, 2008

I'll take a look at my #71's next time I'm over at my sons place. (He's "adopted" them) It's been a while since I adjusted the depth on mine. I generally make minor depth adjustments by simply lengthening or shortening the top link. Once you get a good basic set-up, that's the easiest way to make minor adjustments.

The #70 units have a slightly different depth adjustment.

N80 · May 5, 2008

This is a little off topic, but does JD make these things anymore? I don't see them on their website. I see them for sale used a good bit, usually in good shape, but often pricey, especially for a pair or 3 rows.

If I found one in not so good shape, can parts be found? Are they hard to repair?

Does anyone make anything like them now?

Farmwithjunk · May 5, 2008

N80 said:
This is a little off topic, but does JD make these things anymore? I don't see them on their website. I see them for sale used a good bit, usually in good shape, but often pricey, especially for a pair or 3 rows.

If I found one in not so good shape, can parts be found? Are they hard to repair?

Does anyone make anything like them now?

In all actuality, Deere NEVER made the #71 flexplanter. They SOLD them, but the planter units were built for Deere, under contract with Yetter Mfg. In 1999, Deere dropped the #71 unit planter from their line-up. Yetter bought sales rights from Deere and continues to make the Yetter 71 Flexplanter. Parts are still readily available through Deere, and also now through Yetter.

In most cases, they'll command upwards of $400 to as much as $750 per row in average used condition. Sometimes you'll see 'em priced even higher. They're still much cheaper than a new row unit from Yetter.

As far as planters go, the #70 and #71's are about as simple as it gets. It ain't rocket science. A parts manual and a friendly part sman at the local JD dealer, along with a few basic hand tools is all it takes.

N80 · May 5, 2008

Thanks. If my small patch of handplanted sweet corn turns out okay this summer I may look for one of these.

SCDolphin · May 5, 2008

LabLuv

I have some great pictures of all of that stuff because I have one of the 71's completely apart. That handle with the two wings on it has a spring on the front and a nut on the back of the bolt that runs thru it. The plate that it sits on has numbers on it. That whole assembly on mine was rusted together. I can't wait to get the picts posted. Also note the housing that the rear wheel attaches to and the housing that the seed hoppers attach to are cast aluminum. I am replacing all of the bearing in the planter. If you don't mind a mess come take a look. The two aluminum housings have a plastic bushing that keeps them from rubbing against each other.
The bearings on the axle of the rear wheel has 2 bearings and a felt bushing. I had to have the JD folks press out old shaft. I will be picking FWJ about this shortly.

LabLuvR · May 5, 2008

Well today has certainly proven interesting to say the least. I called a guy who has a set, he wasn't certain on how to set the depth either. Then I called Yetter for tech support. That guy was uncertain as well, but he did talk to a guy who has a set, who couldn't remember how he had set his up.

Anyhoo, the common theme was this. Apparently once these guys set their planter up for a certain depth they almost never change it, therefore forgetting how to set it again. My guess is that corn, sunflowers and soybeans are planted at about the same depth. So, if one is using their planter primarily for one, or any of the three, there should never be a need to change the depth setting.

I set mine today with the number 4 touching the stop. When lifting the rear drive wheel that setting gave me a depth of 1.5 inches. So, hopefully I am now good to go, that is if we ever get any more rain.