JD 71 planter Help

[SCDolphin]

I just found an old planter that I think is a JD 71 with a fertilizer hopper on it. Some parts are missing including from the frame it is mounted on. It has some wide plates that were grown into the ground by weeds and vines.
I am new to tractors and no nothing about planters but would like to restore this if possible. It is missing the hoppers, plates, one of the internal chains but I hope it will be worth fixing. I sure would appreciate any advice TBNers could give me.
Is there a name for the frame it is mounted on??

Thanks

 

[Farmwithjunk]

That looks like a first generation #71. They were updates several times during their production run. There are a BUNCH of parts missing. With the cost (through Deere) to buy NEW parts, you'd probably be money ahead to find a complete row unit.

In the pictures, I THINK I see a sideband fertilizer applicator, but not real sure. Ground drive for the fertilizer attachment is through the wheels I do believe. Planter unit itself drives off of the packer wheel. The row unit is mounted on a cultivator frame. Not uncommon, especially for veggie growers to mount them in similar fashion.

The same combination unit would be used to plant a crop, then remome or retract the planter units and use it to cultivate and sideband fertilizer as the crop grew.

You've got a start to a planter but a real project there. If there's enough of a fertiizer attachment to somehow get it working, you have a good find, as MOST #71's were sold and used without that option.

If you have an opportunity, could you get more pictures of the fertilizer sidebander? What brand? (Is it OEM Deere?) I'm interested in building something similar to mount on a 2-row cultivator for sidedressing sweetcorn and popcorn.

 

[SCDolphin]

Thanks

Will get picts today

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I agree with FWJ about the fact that this being a pretty good find because of the fertilizer attachment. I have a 71 and love it except for fact that it has no fertilizer boxes. That's the first one I have seen with the fertilizer attachments. It is very handy to be able to put down fertilizer while planting. It's a pain to have to go back and do it after planting.

 

[wolc123]

A lot of guys go in with a broadcast spreader just before or after planting but, doing it that way, you have to use more than double the ammount to have the same effect as dropping it only on the rows. Certainly with the recent spike in fertilizer prices, that option is not to attractive and planters with fert attachments are going to fetch higher prices because of it. If I was forced to do it that way I would skip the planter all together and broadcast the seed also, but only because I get free seed (you have to use 4 or so times the seed to get comparable yields from broadcast corn compared to row planted).

 

[Farmwithjunk]

A lot of guys go in with a broadcast spreader just before or after planting but, doing it that way, you have to use more than double the ammount to have the same effect as dropping it only on the rows. Certainly with the recent spike in fertilizer prices, that option is not to attractive and planters with fert attachments are going to fetch higher prices because of it. If I was forced to do it that way I would skip the planter all together and broadcast the seed also, but only because I get free seed (you have to use 4 or so times the seed to get comparable yields from broadcast corn compared to row planted).

Back when I was still planting near 100 acres of corn every year with a 4-row #71 Deere planter, I used liquid pop up (starter) fertilizer after broadcasting granular before discing. Liquid application is easy while planting but the system was rather involved, easpecially if for just a few acres. Just not practical on a small scale. I took my #71 and downsized it to 2 row. (Sold other pair) Now I'm just planting about 1/2 acre of sweet corn and 1/4 to 1/2 acre of popcorn each year. To make the job simpler, I just bought a nice, low acre #39 Massey Ferguson planter w/ granular fertilizer attachment. If that works out, my son wants the #71's. I'm planning on doing some clean up and MAYBE a paint job on the #39. It's in incredable shape, just dirty. I'll set the row width to 30" (40" now) and use it this spring. Paint, if that happens, will go on in warmer weather.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Back when I was still planting near 100 acres of corn every year with a 4-row #71 Deere planter, I used liquid pop up (starter) fertilizer after broadcasting granular before discing. Liquid application is easy while planting but the system was rather involved, easpecially if for just a few acres. Just not practical on a small scale. I took my #71 and downsized it to 2 row. (Sold other pair) Now I'm just planting about 1/2 acre of sweet corn and 1/4 to 1/2 acre of popcorn each year. To make the job simpler, I just bought a nice, low acre #39 Massey Ferguson planter w/ granular fertilizer attachment. If that works out, my son wants the #71's. I'm planning on doing some clean up and MAYBE a paint job on the #39. It's in incredable shape, just dirty. I'll set the row width to 30" (40" now) and use it this spring. Paint, if that happens, will go on in warmer weather.

Nice looking MF planter you found FWJ. I had a JD 246/247 with granular fertilizer applicator. I fixed it up and sold it after I got my 71. Kinda wishing I had kept the 246. The 71 is a better planter but I sure do miss the fertilizer attachment. As mentioned, with the high cost of fertilizer, it sure is more economical to be able to put the fertilizer right beside the row rather than broadcasting.

 

[SCDolphin]

Here are more pictures of the Planter which I enclosed the serial number found in the area with the covers where a chain is located and picts of fertilizer device which says cole on the back .of the hopper.

I am missing the hoppers, seed plates one chain and spring. If anyone can give me any info I am a newbee. I did find an original owners manual on ebay for $20 but it has not arrived yet.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'm familiar with the Cole side-dresser. It's a good unit. Cole parts are still available. Search Cole or Covington for info. A friend of mine uses a set-up something like that, only with Cole planter units too. You made quite a find. Look around for any John Deere planters in junk yards. MOST of what you need will be common to just about any Deere plate-type planter. Here's my 2-row #71.

 

[SCDolphin]

FarmWithJunk

Wow That is absolutely beautiful. Part of the yellow wheel sat in the dirt for a while so lots of rust. I hope I can get a 10th of what you have in appearence. That is too pretty to use.