Old planter hiding in the briars???

[Luremaker]

That looks great. I like your stand on casters.

I can't tell from the pictures if you welded the top link part together or did you use your shop press with the metal brake I see in the back of your photos? I recently purchased the Swag metal brake kit and have yet welded it together. I looking forward to bending some metal.

 

[HCJtractor]

I wanted the assembly to be strong so I used 3/8" plate (I also found some perfectly sized scrap (10" wide) at the salvage yard. My press would not bend it (which was my first idea) so I made a mock-up out of foam board to get my dimensions correct and made a wooden jig to hold the steel in place while I welded it. I am a beginner welder so I used the technique of blobbing enough steel on it so it won't break (I hope) I cut the steel with my MaxSteel circular saw to get the angles. This saw is amazing. It cuts 3/8" plate like plywood. As a woodworker, I often clamp on a fence to guide my saw, so I am comfortable doing this. This technique works just as perfectly on steel with this saw and leaves a perfect true edge. I used the channel scraps I cut off from the original frame that were already notched to fit over the main frame, and since they were not long enough to span the distance, I scabbed them with some common receiver tube welded and bolted in place. I wanted the lift assembly to be under the main frame and be stout enough to support the weight and leverage. THis was the only solution I could come up with to make a 3 point attachment. I could not come up from the middle as the center coulter was in the way.

 

[flusher]

Looks factory new:thumbsup:

Welding: I do jobs like the one in this thread. Stick weld with a Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC. Use 1/8" rod--6011 for high penetrations, fast freeze root pass, 7014 for filling. Run DC positive and 120-140 amps for 1/4" thick tubing, bar, etc. Secret is to take your time, don't rush the bead, adjust your autodarkening helmet so you can see the edges of the puddle since edge tie-in is critical to getting strong welds.

 

[HCJtractor]

I am just about finished. Just a few minor details and its ready to plant (or at least try to). I trimmed down the width so it's now about 7 feet wide. The "legs" are quick detach and will serve as a stand when it's not in use. I may cut off the casters and lower it some as it will sit on a dirt shed floor. Here are some pix....

I tried cranking out some feed corn to see what it would do. It was cracking lots of it like a pepper grinder, so I am guessing this feed corn is bigger than seed corn and is too big for my seed plate (which is listed as a corn plate) I also have a bean plate which is lots bigger and it did not crack the corn. I guess I will have to experiment and find a corn that is smaller as plates for this are not too readily available. Any tips on plate selection or more appropriate seed selection (as these are the only plates I have and have not seen any others for sale)

 

[Briar Hill Brittanys]

You've really done a great job on your rebuild! Looks top notch. These corn plates look like A/C plates to me, but I could be wrong, JOHN DEERE CORN PLANTER PLATES Y 2828 B MEDIUM | eBay . Go to this site, Lincoln Ag Products . Look on the pages for corn, sorghum, sunflower, or other plates for a "Allis Chalmer Type Adaptor". This adaptor will allow you to use the John Deere, Lustran, or Lincoln Ag Product "B" plate. On the gallery page under adaptors, is a picture of one. I've seen them on ebay sometimes. If you measure the size of the seed you want to plant, you can compare that to the cell size column in the plate selection table. Seed dealers and some seed brands used to inform you of the correct plate to use. There is starting to be quite a few plates on ebay now, keep an eye on them, and compare them with the selection chart to give you an idea what size they are. Or you can buy them new from Lincoln. HTH Mark

 

[HCJtractor]

Thanks Mark. Your pictures of the one you restored gave me hope during this process. I do look at E-Bay and have bought a set of "bean" plates there. I may check out the adapter if I have problems. I bought an old AC book that lists all the plates with their specifications. Guess I need to get the calipers out to measure the seed.

By the way, I was checking out the sprayer you built in an earlier thread. This is the next project that is swirling around my brain. Any sprayer building advice?? (I just started a sprayer thread with these questions) I always value your input!! If you get a chance and have some thoughts, maybe switch over to that thread. Thanks again!!

 

[flusher]

I am just about finished. Just a few minor details and its ready to plant (or at least try to). I trimmed down the width so it's now about 7 feet wide. The "legs" are quick detach and will serve as a stand when it's not in use. I may cut off the casters and lower it some as it will sit on a dirt shed floor. Here are some pix....

I tried cranking out some feed corn to see what it would do. It was cracking lots of it like a pepper grinder, so I am guessing this feed corn is bigger than seed corn and is too big for my seed plate (which is listed as a corn plate) I also have a bean plate which is lots bigger and it did not crack the corn. I guess I will have to experiment and find a corn that is smaller as plates for this are not too readily available. Any tips on plate selection or more appropriate seed selection (as these are the only plates I have and have not seen any others for sale)

Looks great. Congrats on work well done :thumbsup:

Check with Lincoln Ag Products. They make a variety of blank seed plates that you can custom drill for your seed. If you can't find a suitable ready-made plate, this may work for you.

Lincoln Ag Products

Good luck.

 

[Mike476]

Great job!

 

[Don87]

Great job on the rebuild.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[BrianR]

Awesome Job!! Didn't take you so long to accomplish after all, now did it!!? You might have to add some weight to the toolbar to get the no-till coulters down to their optimal depth. It all depends on your soil type, though. I put an extra 200lbs on my one row planter for the heavy clay soil that I have on my property.

I just ordered my sweet corn seed today (Harris Seeds), and started prepping my planter for use. Hopefully we won't get the rains like we did last spring.