Hey Guys, I am refurbishing a John Deere Flex 71 Planter.I am installing new seals and coulters "disk openers" Can someone tell me is there a torque spec on installing new blades. I have noticed the tighter I torque them they will start to touch each other and lock up. Has anyone taken on this project?
Planters JD Flex 71 New disk opener installation
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HCJtractor
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I just today installed new openers on my AC planter I am restoring. I bought new openers that were already attached to new hubs and they came with a handful of new spacers (washers or machine bushings) that fit under the hub between it and the casting. This lifted the blade ever so slightly and allowed a little more clearance. i am not sure if the Deere is similar but I expect it has nothing to do with torque (it needs to be tight) but simply needs shimmed out with however many washers it takes to supply adequate clearance. Since my new blades came with a generous supply of spacer washers, I expect this is a common issue. My blades also touch but will rotate. Be careful though because it really will pinch your fingers! Found that out the hard way.
Thanks for the imput HC,These openers did come with the hub already installed.However there were no spacers supplied.The flex 71 has a rubber seal that goes between the opener and the mounting threads.I am not real sure how tight the opener is suppose to be against the seal.I am sure there is someone out there with some very good experience on the flex 71 as it was a very popular planter. I am getting ready to hopefully complete this restoration
flusher
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The operator manual for the 71 has 55 pages. Unfortunately, there is essentially nothing there about disc openers. No mention of torque anywhere in that manual. Shim it until it works the way you like.
I bought my 71 a few months ago.
I found that the double disc openers tend to clog in my soil (gravely loam). So I removed one of the discs to make a single disc opener. Worked OK. I had a devil of a time getting the hex caps removed so I could get to the hex key bolt that holds the disc to the hub.
flusher
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Oops-hit the submit reply too soon.
The heads on those hex caps were very short and the corners of the hex had been rounded over the years. It was obvious that the guy who sold me the 71 never serviced those disc openers. I had to weld a washer and nut to the hex cap to get it off. Did this on three of the four discs. I replaced the hex caps with a longer hex bolt with a beefier head so I can get a wrench on them the next time I need to adjust/replace the openers.
farmforwildlife
New member
HCJ
Just curious. Where did u buy your AC disc openers?
Just curious. Where did u buy your AC disc openers?
If your flex planter is clogging you must not have the mudscraper kits installed on it.
To the other guy you want the discs to touch when tightened down so that it will form a furrow one side is left hand threads the other is right hand threads
To the other guy you want the discs to touch when tightened down so that it will form a furrow one side is left hand threads the other is right hand threads
flusher
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The scrapers are installed. It's the gravel in the soil that's causing the clogs.
Briar Hill Brittanys
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On the 70 Flexi units I rebuilt, there is a thin washer that rides between the disc opener and the seed boot. It's part # M17520, it's listed as obsolete for the 70, but the 71 part #B29159 is the one I used. Without the washers, the new openers ran together so tight, they'd hardly turn. The parts guys at the local JD dealership were very helpful. You can also go here, John Deere - Parts Catalog , and find the parts breakdown for a bunch of JD planters. I printed off a complete set of the parts for my 70s, and took it with me to JD when I needed the parts. Many of the parts for my older 70 Flexis we were able to reference to the same part on a 71, and they worked just fine. Good luck with your rebuild. Mark
