White 5100 planter, what to look for

MH · Nov 6, 2015

Looking at new to me 4 row planters this year and I am considering either a White 5100 or a John Deere 7000. I have been around 7000s before and know what I am looking at on those, but what should I check on the White planters. They have a good reputation and I would like to know what I need to check and any weak points I need to look at. I plan on putting some money on anything I buy, but don't want to break the bank.

Also, what would it take to set one up for no-till if it has not been done already.

onefarmer · Nov 6, 2015

I bought a 5100 and found out the drive clutches were worn out. There is a clutch on each wheel, mine is a 6 row with four wheels so 4 clutches. All but one were slipping. It was already setup for no till, has 13 wave coulters on it. I'm no expert but I've been planting corn no-till and it works great. I've had good even stands with it. This year I tried no-till soys into an old pasture and it worked great there too. I only wish it had the row splitter for narrower than 30in rows.

Bob Bancroft · Nov 6, 2015

The one thing that really disappointed me when I got my 5100 and narrowed it to 30", was that it was so wide you couldn't bring the markers in far enough, so you were supposed to run one tire in the mark! I didn't think I could drive straight enough to suit myself, so I cut down the frame ends and the markers until I could look straight ahead.

Doug Wi · Nov 6, 2015

My experience with the 5100 is that they are basicly idiot proof. Had one since 98 and recently bought a 2nd one that was set up for notil. haven't had any trouble with the clutches. The main wear point is the brushes that the seed disc runs against. I take them out every year and wash them. Replace if they get too worn down. Agco parts are ridiculously expensive is the biggest draw back. broke the shaft on one fert auger and had to replace the whole thing, [the 2 auger sections and the shaft]. Can't remember exactly the cost, but was way way more than I expected. But for the common wear parts, good supply of after market stuff available. I sold my first one to a neighbor . He called me after he was done planting, and said the seed and fert came out nearly exactly as it had on paper. If you are looking for notil, I think it would be cheaper to find one already set up for it. Good luck

MH · Nov 7, 2015

That is what I need, idiot proof...I think you are right on the buying one already set up for no till part.

super99 · Nov 8, 2015

I have had a early 5100 for 12 years, very simple planter to use, Ag Parts First has all the parts you will need at reasonable cost. I have used 7000's, great planter, LOTS of small moving parts that need annual attention. Mine has no till coulters, I wanted row cleaners. Checked salvage yards, $150/row. A friend went to a farm sale, called me and said there are White row cleaners here, I'll see what they bring. He called me when they sold them, they started at $25, I'm yelling into the phone, BID!!, Bid!!. He bought all 4 for $50. Problem is, you can't use both at the same time. I use row cleaners in bean stubble planting corn and coulters in cornstalks planting beans. At my brothers sale, I bought his 8 row 5100 (later model) for $200. It's made so you can use coulters and row cleaners together. You can plant faster with the White than you can with the JD, but I usually go slower than the recommended max speed for better accuracy. Personally, I'd go with a 5100. Chris

Karl in MD · Nov 13, 2015

You have to keep an eye on the drive clutches, and watch for the hex shafts to get rounded off and slip. Our population went wonky one spring, and it was wear on those hex drive shafts. You cant see it until you pull them out. Other than that, we spent very little on maintenance. We went through ours every winter, checking chains, sprockets and bearings.

onefarmer · Nov 13, 2015

I had just bought mine and didn't know anything about it. Turned out it was the teeth of the clutch itself. To fix it due to all the rust, I had to replace the clutch, shafts, and bearings. I don't use it enough to wear it out again. But I will be keeping an eye on it.

White 5100 planter, what to look for

MH

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onefarmer

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Bob Bancroft

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Doug Wi

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MH

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super99

Well-known Member

Karl in MD

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onefarmer

Well-known Member

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