International Cyclo planter

I am looking at buying an international 400 Cyclo planter. Are these any good?. Also when you get to the end of the row do you have to shut it off or when you raise does seed stop being distributed?

In a well maintained condition they can do a good job. The seed tubes like not being disturbed to create an ideal pattern meaning no rocks to be struck by the openers for each row. Drum contact with the seed box is critical as it is needed to create air pressure. Lots of things to be watched for which can be unnerving. Buy one that is clean and has been stored away. If rocks are everywhere and unavoidable I would look at something else. I owned a 400 6 row for several years so I have experience with them.

The seed drum is ground driven, and when you raise the planter, the drum stops turning. I have had a 800 for over 25 years. It had a pto powered hydraulic pump that drove the fan that pressures the seed tank and blows the seed out the seed manifold to the drop pipes. My planters pump quit, so I used the tractors hydraulic outlet to run the pump. Outlet has to be in constant flow position. And the return line from the pump has to dump directly into the hydraulic reservoir in the tractor not back through the remote outlet. So when you look at the planter, be sure it has a separate hydraulic pump, or if it has been operating from the tractor remote, be aware you need a unrestricted return line. It will work just as well off of most tractors hydraulic systems. It needs the unrestricted return flow because the fan is turning so fast it will destroy the fans orbital motor if it had to stop suddenly, and not be able to wind down.
Leaking air pressure is the biggest down fall on old air planters. If you can pressure up the planter and run your hand around the Fiberglas seed tank and feel no air leaking any the gasket in the seed tank fill lid seals good. It is also nice if the seed monitor works. I planted many many acres with my 800 and it served me well, but its gaskets and seals are a constant pain in the backside leaking air. So if you find a air tight planter, go for it, they do a decent job in any size seed, flats or round doesnt matter.

Most of the 400's came as the fan driven from a belt in turn driven from a PTO shaft. IH went to the pump drive late as a measure to have even pressure through various throttle settings such as slowing down or speeding up at the head land. My 400 had the hydraulic drive so the seed stayed in the drum while turning on the headland. I would assume that you could slow down somewhat with the PTO/belt set up and still hold the seed in the drum. Around here once the JD Max Emerge came out in 1974 IH did not sell many corn planters. A few bought the 56 planter as it sold considerably cheaper than the JD but the savings was negative once the inferior seed placement was figured in. The IH 800 came out just in time for the 1980 grain embargo so very few sold at least around here.

A White would be a good choice with the seed disc. They Plant as accurate as the Deere and much less monkey business to keep up. Cheap planters For the money will plant very good with any seed in it.

Probably has one located for a couple hundred of bucks if it is like around here. 400 series planters are among the cheapest out there to buy. A White 5100 will be at least several hundred dollars for a 4 row and not needing much in the way of repairs.

If you can afford the extra money and want to stay IH, the 800 is a much better machine.
AaronSEIA

They were part of the downfall of IHC.....

It will plant corn and soybeans.

They struggled with uniform seed spacing. They struggled with not planting right on hills.

An 800 is better. The 1200 series Case got it perfected, finally.

Most folk pulled JD 7000 planters in that era. The most common thing to see around me was a red tractor with a green planter.

It should be really cheap, and it will plant some crops.

Good? Thats a relative term I guess.

Paul

do not go that route,get an 800 series at least i ran the 800 and nine hundred series and really liked them. i actually went from running deere 7000 series to the red units.way less issues. the all stop planting when you lift on the ends

800 four row can be bought in good working condition for under 1,000 dollars. The reason to buy a 400 around here is they are
the cheapest of the cheap. If in good shape and only planting a few acres for a plot the 400 should serve that purpose.

can't give one away here in Iowa

wish you would tell me where those units are i tried buy on last spring still were all in 5000 dollar and above. finally found dang 7000 deere for 2000.

Seed tubes can get a groove worn in them affecting spacing. Row unit has a single pivot point
unlike newer planters making consistent depth control harder. Keeping planting speed at 3.5 mph
or less helps. Much is said about seed spacing when it comes to planters but even emergence is by
far more important. That said,at 3.5 mph or less I would put a 56 IH up against ANYTHING green for
spacing.

I have a 400 4 row. This boils down to what you want it for. It will get the job done. Mine is the PTO driven. Keep your RPM's up and shift down at the ends. I have some small plots and it works fine.
The 800 / 900 / 955 are much better. The JD 7000 series are much better too. Around here you can't touch a 7000 as the Amish buy them up. They can use the Deere without having a need for engine power.

I bought my 400 for $500 and replaced the brush, drum seals, and some chain sprockets. It did OK. I gave it a good cleaning. If I farmed a few hundred acres, then I would have the later Cyclos, JD, or White.

That 400 was the most oversold,a real poor planter in my judgement !

Don't know where you are but if you want a Cyclo 800 I can make you a good deal. Best planter I owned but the elevator shut down and hauling to the next one is too expensive so I am not planting anymore. Fields are leased for now.