update on modifiying a 7100 to 22 rows

I picked up an 8R36 7100 Deere planter in the middle of Iowa this past february. The planter came with bean cups and finger units and the seller had rebuilt the tru vees last year. Other than a few welds, it looks to be a pretty well maintained unit.

I couldn't get to working on it 'til last weekend but boy it's actually going fast. In one day, I had it pretty much torn down to the main frame and four units.

Yesterday, I put it back together. This required cutting the transmission off and welding it back on 2 inches in on either side. This will limit me on population choices but I'm only planting beans this year anyway. Unfortunately, I forgot my camers and it's 100 miles away from where I live. I was hoping to have before and after pics. Looks like I'm gonna only have after pics.

I wanna get my population right. I've roughly figured out what sprockets I need. Can anyone here help me with this? I think I need a 7 driver and 11 driven at 8 mph. Would this give me about 175000 pop.? My seed size is 2600 seed per pound.

The biggest challenge now will be to mount the markers...

I picked 22 inches because I hafta cultivate and don't have the money to buy super skinny tires and dual them up for one of the larger tractors. I wanted to get all the room I could to drive my 13.6 tires down the row. From my understanding, the farmers in the red river valley all run 22 inch corn as that's what thier sugar beets are on. When I go to 22 inch corn, it should be moderately easy to locate a 22 inch head and go get it.

Surely you don't expect me to throw out two year old John Deere bean cups that came with the planter and pay close to a grand for Kinzes.