International 5100

Just bought a International 5100 double disc drill and am planning on drilling wheat with it this fall, mine has a cylinder on it was wonder on the proper setting of the cylinder and gap on the double disc, disc are also a little loose how big of a difference will this make? Thanks for any info

Dave, the hydraulic cylinder just puts the drill in gear when lowered. Depth is changed by adjusting the spring on the openers (if memory serves me). You might as well change out the bearings on your disc openers.I found that those bearings were a weak point on those drills. Just be aware that,when removing the discs,one bolt is a left-hand thread !!

I picked up some new bearings today because a couple of the disc are a little loose, so the "W" keepers are what you would change to get the desired depth you want to drill the seed? How much of a gap do you want at the bottom of the openers? Thanks David

Jimont, Yes the springs do put down pressure on the disks and do affect the depth. But the cylinder does control the amount of pressure the springs can apply. On my 5100 drill I have stops on the cylinder to limit the amount it can go down. I think my stop is about 2 1/2" inches from full down. This seems to give me about the correct depth of about 2 inches for planting both wheat and oats in my clay soil. I can check the exact amount of the stop on a standard 8 inch cylinder. I also have the manual and can check what the manual says about setting the depth. Al

Dave, I will defer to AJB-830 about use of the hydraulic cylinder. I actually have a 510 drill which was the predecessor of the 5100 so there might be a difference regarding use of the cylinder. Yes those W keepers will help getting more depth. I think,if you have enough time ,it would be well worth your time to check all the bearings to help close the gap at the bottom of the discs. Another possible reason for the gap might be because the discs themselves might just be worn down. My 510 was bought new in 1972 and those 5100's came out a few years later, so age could see the discs worn down. I replaced our discs about 3 yrs ago as they were worn down after all those years.

That seems like a good place to start, I will start with putting enough collars to equal about 3", my soil is more of a sandy/loam so I would think that I wouldn't have to use as much down pressure as in a clay soil? My gap at the bottom of the two disc is about 1/8 to 1/4" is that too much? Anything else you gentleman learned from using/watch for them would be greatly appreciated. Thanks David

Dave. I would say that if your intension is to have this drill for any amount of time and want a good stand. I would see, if by replacing some of your bearings,that gap closes,you're good to go. If not, your discs are badly worn and probably should be replaced. Just my opinion.

Dave, On my drill, I believe the disks are almost closed when the drill is lifted. I can take a closer look tomorrow. I don't think the disks on my drill have much wear as I only plant about 30 acres of wheat & oats a year. I was told that the wear and openings on the disks are more important if you plant soybeans. Also, for planting soybeans you will need a set of speed reducer gears. You didn't say what you plan to use your drill for, but since it is fall, I suspect winter wheat. Al

The "w" keepers on each planting unit only set the down pressure for that unit, i.e. may need more pressure behind the tractor wheels than the rest. Overall planting depth is set with the hydrolic cylinder, however each unit can be adjusted independent, i.e. again behind tractor wheels, by the upper stop clip above the "w' keepers. Our drill has the original hydrolic cylinder with the stop poppet on top and the slider on rod, a little movement of the slider can make a big difference on depth.
The discs should be tight together, just like a corn planter double disc opener, for most consistent seed depth (better stand). That being said, it will certainly plant with considerable gap and wobble, just not as even a stand. Wobble usually means bearings need checked/replaced, gap means discs need adjusted closer by removing spacer washer under discs or discs a worn past limits and need replaced.
Also, level planter with the tractor drawbar height being used. This is done by moving the drill clevis hitch up or down on the drill tongue. Aides in consistent planting depth and makes it easier for the discs to ride over obstacles in the field (rocks/stones).

Mine is the 510 but got to believe it is the same. I think it was designed to contract the cylinder all the way when lowering drill. Then you set the desired spring pressure with spring adjustment. If they wanted you to adjust down pressure with cylinder, they would have provided a cylinder stop. That being said, I use collars on my cylinder to reduce the cylinder travel as I don't stop on ends to raise drill. So I want it to raise in least amount of time. Depth adjustment is made in back of drill by turning handles on press wheels.