New Idea Transplanter

I got the idea of fixing up some of the old equiptment that he had and I remembered the old transplanter that was sitting outside the barn. Dug thru the poison ivy and found it, not in to bad of shape after about 30 years of sitting there. On the tag it has....

New Idea Inc.
Lot No. T74
Coldwater, Ohio

When I was about 12 (48 now) I remember setting out plants with the thing. Has two "sleds" you sit in. In the middle at the front it has two metal wheels and I think there was a thing that opened the ground and then two more wheels that packed the dirt around the plants after they were stuck in the ground. Theres a large water tank at the back with a seat on top of it that lifts off where you add the water. A hose comes out the bottom and then runs to the front, thats rusted out but still there. Tank looks about 50 gallons.

I remember when I used it we didnt have the water tank on there and instead had something there that held the transplants (If I remember right). Old cultivator wheels are buried about three inches in the ground, trees grown up around it as well.

Anyone else have one of these transplanters? I dont guess there are any parts available?

Also found an old thing that was used to raise roses out of the ground after they had grown a year. Its a heavy (100 lbs. or more), oval shape about three feet tall. The metal on the thing is about 6 inches wide and has a short "lip" sticking out the back on the bottom that gives it the "lift" to get the plants roots loose. Any idea what its called?

Oh, that old Super A tractor, it's at the shop in Myrtle Springs (same town it was purchased at). Carbarator needed cleaning. Cant wait to get it back and drive it around town.

Merrill, I can see how the chains would get in the way and thats probly why the row markers are gone. Besides in our kind of business (nursery) you make the beds (rows) for the roses so there would be no need for the markers as you would have to plant in the beds.

Rose, I would like to have the measurements for the boxes and hardware if it isnt to much trouble.

I will try and get some pictures posted of the planter in the next day or two.

Mark Hill
Dearborn,MO

Well you will never believe it but I found another planter just like the other one (I think) in a differant part of the farm. The tank on this one is gone but its the one I used back when I was a kid. The wood platform I remembered is built over where the water tank was.

Havent found the tag on this newest find, it may be there but the poison ivy was knee deep. Luckly no chiggers as of yet, I hate those pesky things.

I told the foreman to get both of them out and drag them behind my house where I can check em out better.

I think the only thing I will need are new water tanks, or maybe just one tank and use one planter for parts. I will probably get the best one sand blasted and see what all I have to do and work from there.

Merrill, would the green be the color of John Deer Green?

I would love to have the manual to see if its the same and maybe date my planter.

Those "comfortable seats"? I think we had some toe sacks (burlap bags) we used for padding. I have wondered if it actually came with any kind of padding because I remember there wasnt any when I used it back 35 or so years ago. But I remember how much fun it was because the ground was right there and you could just reach out and let your hand drag along the ground. Kind of like sledding in dirt.

I will email you my mailing address.

Randy

I see they have a parts list and that water tank is listed, $11.00. Doesnt sound like a bad price.

I like that picture where it has the Cultor Tractor motor mounted to the planter and the guy is sitting in the water tank seat driving. Look at those spikes in the wheels, they ment business.

This gives me a good idea of everything. I had not even thought about who sits in that seat on the tank before the other day when I was showing it to a friend.

I take it the control lever that sticks up to the right of the driver on the water tank seat is for the water. Mine is missing.

Thanks again Rose

Randy

I posted four pictures in the Impliment Photos Section of the Transplanters.

On one I have an arrow pointing to a "clip" and was wondering if that is where the boxes fit.

The old 1987 Pickup is mine. LOL Thing still runs good tho.

• New Idea Transplanter

The older planter which is in better condition is model T74.

The newer one is No.5 Lot No. T91 Serial No. T1160

It appears both were made to be drawn by horses but the T91 has been made to work with a tractor.
When they got the T74 unstuck they pulled it around to my house with a golf cart, I couldnt believe it would even roll after all that time.

On the T74 it has one arm in the middle to lift the furrow opener and on the T91 there are two handles where each person planting could lift it. Only the person on the left hand side had the release the other guy just lifted.

Rose, I saw your picture of the planter and it looks like it might be like my T91. The lifter bar on the T74 sticks up pretty high but the lifter bars on the T91 are lower.

The bars that marked the rows are gone on both but the little brackets that hold the arms are still there.

I also found some orange paint left on the hubs as described by Merrill. I also found the original paint color under the seats of both planters. Wood supports for the seats were there on both and still were completly painted.

The boxes that held the plants as well as the metal supports for them are gone on both planters. Ill have some built after Rose sends me the book. Dont have much of an idea where they go other than from the picture.

The orange color is about the color of Kubota tractors. The "green" color is not what I would call green, really a teal blue or blue green. You can really see the blue tinge.

Link

The water tank on the T74 is rusted at both ends. You can see the words "New Idea" embossed on the metal of the water tank. Theres even a strainer inside the tank.

The man bought my Farmall Super A back so I am headed out to make sure it runs. Thanks for all yalls help!

Randy