Another 8000-series Deere grain drill question

Brendon-KS · Nov 15, 2018

I'm considering upgrading from a Deere B drill to an 8000 series. Improvements would be larger capacity, rubber press wheels instead of steel to shed sticky soil better, and the fact that the press wheels raise hydraulically with the openers. (My B is hand lift so the press wheels are always on the ground.)

One problem my B has is that if the filled drill must be left outside in wet weather the moisture will get into the feeds and cause the seed to sprout. The grain in the box can be completely dry but the feeds are a real mess. I try to never leave the drill setting out when filled but since I use it at our club grounds some distance away from our place it isn't always possible - this year was a real challenge.

My question about the 8000 drills is how weather-resistant are the feeds when the drill is filled? Does double run or fluted feed make a difference in this regard? The box lids look very rainproof but based on my experience with the B it is underneath that I'm most concerned about.

Thanks for the input.

NY 986 · Nov 16, 2018

We always put our 8300 under cover during planting season while waiting on the weather, Secured doors should not allow any rain other than very extreme driving rain conditions. Open cup design with the flute allows water to get in there and if sitting a few days may mean sprouted grain there which may not flow down the seed tubes. Used to be customized tarps for those so maybe you want to look into that.

Brendon-KS · Nov 17, 2018

I did some googling and it looks like a number of companies still sell drill covers. Thanks for the tip - I might need to check into that.

There are two identical 8350 drills at a local auction, 20x8 with double run feeds. In looking at them it appears that the double run might expose less area for water to run into the meter than the fluted feed on my B does. With the much larger box the feeds might be more protected underneath as well. We'll see what they bring.

JD Seller · Nov 17, 2018

Any grain drill with get water into the feed cups if left out side. Mine never gets wet with grain in it. Even a cheap blue tarp and some bungee straps would be better than just setting out side in the rain/weather. Does not have to be a fancy cover. There are lots of places on a grain drill to strap too.

Brendon-KS · Nov 17, 2018

Well, I ended up buying a new-to-me drill today at our local consignment auction. It's way more than I need but it looked good and the price was right. $600 for a Deere 8350 double-run 20x8 in very nice shape - good single disks and bearings, all scrapers intact, good dual-rib tires, press wheel attachment with good rubber and only one bad bearing, clean seed and fertilizer boxes, and decent-looking paint. Even has markers mounted on it. Another $50 bought the Deere cylinder with good hoses and couplers that was attached but sold separately. Box drills like this don't bring much in our area of Kansas and being literally the last item sold on a 30-degree, cloudy, and windy day probably helped lower the price as there weren't many of us left to do the bidding. An identical drill sold earlier in the day for $550 and it wasn't in as good of shape and had questionable tires so I'm glad I passed on it. Need to look into getting a fitted cover for it now.

Another 8000-series Deere grain drill question

Brendon-KS

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NY 986

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Brendon-KS

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JD Seller

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Brendon-KS

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