FarmWithJunk opinion needed

[LabLuvR]

The one's I'm looking at on EBAY are the no-till type. The seller has a great reputation And you are right, a few more suitcase weights will be in order.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

The one's I'm looking at on EBAY are the no-till type. The seller has a great reputation And you are right, a few more suitcase weights will be in order.

Most of what I'm seeing on EBAY is equipped as a no-till and listed as such, but I don't believe they wer actually built originally as such. Those are designated as 7100 or some such numbers. They'll still more than adaquately do the job. About the time the 7000 series planters came on the market was when the big switch to no-tilling came along. Probably 90% of the no-till planters of that day were re-outfitted 7000's.

Also, all the 7000's currently listed on EBAY are calling the PESTICIDE applicators as fertilizer boxes too, same as the #71's. Fertilizer boxes on those planters were in front of the seed box and much larger than the pesticide hopper.

 

[Deere Hunter]

Sorry it took so long to get these, but I just went out to the farm today. Had to help my cousin with his pole shed, and when we got rained out around 4:30, we went over to his old workshop to grab the sprayer, and I shot these pictures. Forgive me, because it was close quaters, as the shop was slap full, and the planters were buried in the middle. Hopefully, we can get the new shop finished soon and get this project underway for this season's plantings. Ain't looking good at the present, got the trusses up today, and one side of the 2x4 stripping. Hope to put the roof on next weekend.

JD 71- we think - with fertilizer distributors.

The dispenser is a ground fed unit, one for eash planter, and is ground driven on the extending cog off the same axle that turns the seed plate (pics 2 and 6). They are not currently connected on this planter, as it was used last year, and the fertilizer box coogs/sprockets are rusted out (pic3), and the machine will not run if they are connected. The fertilizer is placed by the opener on the front, left of the unit via a knife opener (pic4) that is pressured/adjusted by the spring (pic5). Pretty simple. Basically, it runs a band of fertilizer adjacent to the seed, and slightly lower. This planter is a shoe-type with the fingers, see pic. Best part is it was gifted to my cousin.

I think I found some fertilizer boxes with lids and sprockets in tact that will save a lot of sheet metal work for the project. Can't wait to plant with them when they're back in good shape.

 

[Deere Hunter]

FWJ,
Do you think we can convert this one to open with coulters? The openers are okay, but there are some broken fingers on the planter. The upshot, is we can still get most parts for this at the local JD dealer, bought some plates, chain, etc., and they think they can get the wear parts as well.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Sorry it took so long to get these, but I just went out to the farm today.  Had to help my cousin with his pole shed, and when we got rained out around 4:30, we went over to his old workshop to grab the sprayer, and I shot these pictures. Forgive me, because it was close quaters, as the shop was slap full, and the planters were buried in the middle.  Hopefully, we can get the new shop finished soon and get this project underway for this season's plantings.  Ain't looking good at the present, got the trusses up today, and one side of the 2x4 stripping. Hope to put the roof on next weekend.JD 71- we think - with fertilizer distributors.The dispenser is a ground fed unit, one for eash planter, and is ground driven on the extending cog off the same axle that turns the seed plate (pics 2 and 6).  They are not currently connected on this planter, as it was used last year, and the fertilizer box coogs/sprockets are rusted out (pic3), and the machine will not run if they are connected.  The fertilizer is placed by the opener on the front, left of the unit via a knife opener (pic4) that is pressured/adjusted by the spring (pic5).  Pretty simple.  Basically, it runs a band of fertilizer adjacent to the seed, and slightly lower.  This planter is a shoe-type with the fingers, see pic.  Best part is it was gifted to my cousin. I think I found some fertilizer boxes with lids and sprockets in tact that will save a lot of sheet metal work for the project.  Can't wait to plant with them when they're back in good shape.

Well, those aren't #71's.  (Most obvious, 70/71's have totally enclosed drive chains. The 24B/25B came originally with a shield over the chains but were still visable) Depending on how they're equipped, those are EITHER #24B or #25B unit planters.  24B's are conventional corn/soybean "drill" planters, #25B's are equipped to hill drop (for peanuts, cotton, and corn)  Not at all a bad planter. (Drill planters plant at constant regular intervals, *---*---*---*---*. Hill drop will drop several seeds, then space, then several more, then space, ***-------***------***-----***)


There might have been a disc opener option for the fertilizer unit on that planter.  Parts may still be available through Deere.  If not, disc openers from one of several other Deere planters would be easy to adapt.  (1969 #24B25B catalog doesn't show disc openers as available)

Looks like the mechanics of the planter is all there. I'd start with fixing any obvious problems, clean it up, then hook it to a tractor, raise it up off the ground, throw a little seed in it, spin the closing wheels, and see what happens. I've seen planters in far worse shape that were usable as is.

 

[Deere Hunter]

I think it is a 24b, as the seed drops at regular intervals, not as you described the hill-type planter. This machine works as-is, but a couple of the fingers? on the right unit (from the rear) are broken, and the unit does not open well, particularly in any thing less than a perfect seed bed. The planter will be refurbed soon, and now it will be much easier, thanks to your help in identification. The JD dealer called it a 71, but it didn't look at alll like your machine, although it does accept the 71 plates that the dealer sold us.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I think it is a 24b, as the seed drops at regular intervals, not as you described the hill-type planter. This machine works as-is, but a couple of the fingers? on the right unit (from the rear) are broken, and the unit does not open well, particularly in any thing less than a perfect seed bed. The planter will be refurbed soon, and now it will be much easier, thanks to your help in identification. The JD dealer called it a 71, but it didn't look at alll like your machine, although it does accept the 71 plates that the dealer sold us.

Every since the late 1930's, all John Deere plate type planters have used the same "B type" plates.

 

[Deere Hunter]

Would a similar fertilizer distribution setup work on the 71 flex planter? This one is pretty simple, is ground-driven-working off the same axle as the planter- via the closing wheel, and the fertilizer boxes are available on ebay presently with the gear attached. The question remains, can they can be fitted to the 71? The gear is changed to control the rate of fertilizer applied, which is pretty simple.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Would a similar fertilizer distribution setup work on the 71 flex planter? This one is pretty simple, is ground-driven-working off the same axle as the planter- via the closing wheel, and the fertilizer boxes are available on ebay presently with the gear attached. The question remains, can they can be fitted to the 71? The gear is changed to control the rate of fertilizer applied, which is pretty simple.

When the #71 planters were first introduced into the Deere line-up back in the early 1960's, they were available on a toolbar as stand-alone units, OR, you could buy them mounted on one of 2 tool carriers that were either a dry granular or liquid fertilizer row unit with a built in mounting point for the planter unit. (I believe they were model #'s 146 and 148??? if memory serves me this morning) They had their own ground drive, fertilizer tank or hoppers, openers, and even facilitated the mounting of hydraulic row markers. The unit planters simply mounted to a rear toolbar that was an integral part of the fertilizer unit. With that, you had a complete planter.

However, a large percentage of the #71's sold ended up without fertilizer units.

Later on, Deere started marketing a fertilizer unit that attached directly to the #71 planter itself. A drive was designed that drew power from the exposed gear that drove the seed plate. Each row unit had its own fertilizer hopper, mounted above and slightly forward of the seed hopper. This arraingment came into being about the time the #71 was redesigned to mount on a 4"X6" toolbar in place of the older style, 2"X2" "diamond" toolbar.

There weren't many of these fertilizer units sold either. Early parts manuals didn't list any of the fertilizer units with the #71's. Later issue parts manuals had a section with the late fert. unit included.

The chain drive (from closing wheel to seed drop) is very well enclosed on the #70 and #71. It isn't IMPOSSIBLE to find a way to drive a fertilizer system from that source, but it would be difficult. If I was to drive a fertilizer unit from the planter itself, I would probably tap into the gear drive under the seed hopper very simular to the later model fert. units Deere offered. Keep in mind, the #71 uses what is essentially a bicycle chain from closing wheel to seed drop. A heavy load such as what a ground driven fertilizer hopper would create would be quite a strain on the chain, especially taking into consideration these planters are now starting to get some age on them. Also, with a multiple row configuration of #71's, you would either have to drive a fertilizer unit for each row seperately for each row, OR run the risk of creating an unequal load on one unit that may cause the closing wheel to drag somewhat more than the other row(s) causing uneven seeding.

All things being equal, I'd just as soon have a seperate ground drive for a fertilizer system, with it's own ground contact wheel.

 

[Rara Avis]

Like this?

 

[hotchkiss]

Hey FWJ: If you get that fertilizer spreader ready to sell, sign me up for the third one. I have a very good Flex 71 four row planter. It is built to work off the TPH. I plant about 15 acres of corn a year, and this is a great design for me. Now, all I need is a way to side dress the seed with fertilizer.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hey FWJ: If you get that fertilizer spreader ready to sell, sign me up for the third one. I have a very good Flex 71 four row planter. It is built to work off the TPH. I plant about 15 acres of corn a year, and this is a great design for me. Now, all I need is a way to side dress the seed with fertilizer.

I've been side tracked for a few weeks, dealing with health issues. Not a lot of time in the shop lately. Looks like that may be turning a positive corner though. Fortunately for me, I've got a planter w/ fert. capabilities for this season. I'm hoping to have my "invention" done in time for next year.

 

[deere755]

K S Farms has planters listed on e-bay sometimes with the fertlizer attachments. He als has had some two row pull type planters if you have auxilliary hydralic hookups that could be pulled with a C.U.T. if lifting is a problem on your 3 point hitch.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

K S Farms has planters listed on e-bay sometimes with the fertlizer attachments. He als has had some two row pull type planters if you have auxilliary hydralic hookups that could be pulled with a C.U.T. if lifting is a problem on your 3 point hitch.

What I've seen listed as "fertilizer attachments" on most of the "EBAY planters" have been pesticide applicators. They aren't the same critter. They won't handle granular fertilizer. They're meant to apply dry POWDER pesticides. They also distribute smaller quantities than a fertilizer applicator would. AND... they band drop over the top of the row, on the surface. Fertilizer needs to be placed BELOW the seed and to one side. Seed or young plants are burned by the salts in most fertilizer, so you don't want it directly in the row with the seed. Nitrogen fertilizers need to be in the ground or the nitrogen dissapates into the atmosphere when it contacts soil moisture.

 

[deere755]

What I've seen listed as "fertilizer attachments" on most of the "EBAY planters" have been pesticide applicators. They aren't the same critter. They won't handle granular fertilizer. They're meant to apply dry POWDER pesticides. They also distribute smaller quantities than a fertilizer applicator would. AND... they band drop over the top of the row, on the surface. Fertilizer needs to be placed BELOW the seed and to one side. Seed or young plants are burned by the salts in most fertilizer, so you don't want it directly in the row with the seed. Nitrogen fertilizers need to be in the ground or the nitrogen dissapates into the atmosphere when it contacts soil moisture.

Here is a link to a planter on e-bay with fertlizer attachment. K S farms does not have any like I was talking about as of now but I have seen him in the past list some like this one in a 2 row pull type and also the 7000 series with the fertlizer attachment. This would be a alternative for someone wanting to apply fertlizer but unable to lift one on the 3pt. How ever I have not seen one in a 71 model.

John Deere 494A Planter - eBay (item 220221832651 end time Apr-14-08 18:53:05 PDT)