Fertilizer injector pump Options

bjr · Jun 2, 2011

I got, at a auction, a old John Blue pump and stainless tank (150 gal.) mounted on a 3pt tool bar with two row injector plows. My question is, can this be used to inject somekind of fertilizer in corn. I'm new to corn farming, garden size, 1/2 to 1 acre sizes. I have a JD 71 flex 4 row planter and can't seem to find a dry fertilizer system for it to side dress corn. This isn't sweet corn it's more of the feed corn variety. Any chance of using the liquid injector with out a lot of stress retrofitting work? What are my options here? bjr

beenthere · Jun 2, 2011

bjr said:
...... My question is, can this be used to inject somekind of fertilizer in corn. ....................Any chance of using the liquid injector with out a lot of stress retrofitting work? What are my options here? bjr

I would think if liquid fertilizer is available, this rig (a pic would be great to better visualize what you have) could be used to side dress corn. Just letting it feed by gravity might be as good as trying to pump it through the system.

First, I'd suggest finding the fertilizer and go from there.

Farmwithjunk · Jun 2, 2011

For side dressing corn, all you need to do is to trickle the liquid fert. on the surface. Many "big time operators" (ie farmers who cover thousands of acres) do their side dressing with boom sprayers with short hoses connected where you would NORMALLY find nozzles. The hose drags the ground, or at least is very near the ground.

If you're dead set on knifing the liquid into the ground, just simply run a hose down the back side of a cultivator shank.

On my 4-row #71 planter, I found disc openers from the (dry) fertilizer applicator found on a Deere 494 planter, mounted them on a tool bar on the front of my planter, then ran hoses (for liquid fert.) down into the disc openers. That set up worked to perfection for 30+ years.

If buying through an ag co-op, liquid seems to be the easiest fertilizer to find (at certain times of the year) On smaller garden patches, I've seen people mix tanks full of water and Miracle Grow fert. with good results.

bjr · Jun 2, 2011

just what's cheapest, more accurately describes my situation, I'm open to whatever doesn't relieve me of cash. I have been helping the neighbors put in their corn with my planter and tractor. Most of the people I help are low income or fixed income (retired with health issues). They give me something for the diesel I use, and, they need the help, so, I do it. If I could get the dry fertilizer in some kind of hopper to meter behind the cultivator, I would do that. I just don't have anything other than that tank strapped to the 3 pt with that old ground driven john blue pump. I've never tried to find out if liquid fert. is available or if there's a special handling license or cost. Every bloomin' thing is over controlled and taxed to death I didn't know where to start. My 85 yr. old neighbor was out hoeing and was in talkative mood and told me that he was wounded in WWII and had 3 tanks shot out from under him. He's a little man maybe weighs 105 lbs, but still plants 1/2 ac. garden to give away every year. I'm 60 yrs. old and am considered the "kid" on the block. bjr

Farmwithjunk · Jun 2, 2011

Not sure about where you live, but around here, old 4-row JD 494/495 planters are everywhere and cheap. They're too much hassle for the scrap collectors in most cases. Find one with a decent fertilizer system and cannibalize parts. I've seen those adapted to #71 planters.

Also, look for a set of these.....Our Products - Gandy .... They can be adapted to ANY planter or cultivator frame.

bjr · Jun 3, 2011

Where I work is beside the main road to the local scrape yards. It just about makes me cry to see runnin' cats, tractors farm machinery of all sort being hauled in. The scrappers have wiped this area clean and now they're goin' for the wiring on the center pivots irrigation systems, also now getting caught in the electrical warehouse yard stealing the wire. It's real wave of theft around here and the local law enforcement seems overwhelmed. I've a friend that knows one of the scrap yard owners and he wanted to buy a transmission from a pickup truck and they flat run him off sayin' "they don't sell car parts", well, they used to sell anything there. I appreciate the responses for tryin' to help me. But, I think I'll just let the gardeners worry 'bout the fertilizing, I'm, in over my head with just putting the seed in the ground as it is. Thanks to all for all the responses. bjr

Duffster · Jun 3, 2011

bjr said:
I got, at a auction, a old John Blue pump and stainless tank (150 gal.) mounted on a 3pt tool bar with two row injector plows. My question is, can this be used to inject somekind of fertilizer in corn. I'm new to corn farming, garden size, 1/2 to 1 acre sizes. I have a JD 71 flex 4 row planter and can't seem to find a dry fertilizer system for it to side dress corn. This isn't sweet corn it's more of the feed corn variety. Any chance of using the liquid injector with out a lot of stress retrofitting work? What are my options here? bjr

That is most likely what is was built for. We use something similar only it has a ground driven squeeze pump.

Injecting it is preferred over spraying it or dribbling it on top of the ground since the knife incorporates it into the ground.

The product you are looking for is Liquid 28% (Nitrogen). The application rate is only about 20 or so gallons to the acre so this may be more hassle than it is worth.

You can also use urea(dry). This can be broadcast or drop spread(or knifed) in/over the rows.