2 or 4 row planter

Up til now, I've been sowing everything by hand or with a spreader, then dragging a disk lightly over everything. This worked well til last year and this, when I've had problems with getting corn to germinate...too deep or too shallow I spose. Each year, I've made them a bit bigger and now all told, they're probably about 4.5 or 5 acres. That's getting a bit much for seeding by hand and my germination problems are getting to me, so I'm considering buying an old planter.

I've got a 560 gas, and I'm asking for opinions on what to get for my work. I'm pretty handy, so I can make changes or repairs, but I really don't have the slightest idea where to start. Lived in the country all my life, but I don't claim to be a farmer. But the wife says I always look pretty happy bustin' up ground...

Even though the corn hasn't done so well, by drag harrowing, there's usually enough sorghum, etc. scattered in amongst it that there's plenty of cover and food for all.

To do a mix you need a grain drill which meters on volume instead of by the individual seed. A JD plateless 7000 in a 4 row with soybean seed cups should work well.

Otherwise a strong right arm with a bucket to carry the supplies followed by a spike tooth harrow will get the seed in the ground. Maybe an end gate seeder...

Gerald J.

My dad planted our last crop with this planter in 1982. I went into the Army and dad quit farming. We still use the frame. I used it this summer to keep plow the middels of a watermelon patch with a M farmall that i just bought.

Matt Clark

I would lean away from the finger pickup for your use however. Maintenance is a real issue with these. The mounted cyclos won't work well for your use either.

Here in NW Iowa you will be bidding against the scrap buyers for the small cyclos as well as any plate type.

What are you using for seed. Did you plant purchased hibred seed 3 years ago and have been planting grain harvested from those crops the last two years? If this is the case that would explain why you are getting such a poor crop. If you want to keep your own seed you will need to use open pollenated seed. Also if you are planting corn on corn you will need to put on a fair bit of extra nitrogen.

HTH

JT

The thing I liked about planting down to virtually no seed was that I didn't have any to hold over or dispose of. The treatments can be nasty and the seed can't be put in with grain to sell because of them.

All that said I have owned a 500 cyclo and am currently using a 7000 Deere. Don't like the maintenance on the Deere but getting the seed placed right is important to yield and I am in the farming thing to make a living.

HTH and have fun.

JT

Sounds like exactly what I need. Guess I was looking for this kind of info., model #'s, etc. so I could start asking around and maybe find one to work over during the winter months.

Any other suggestions fellas?

You'll find that you cant beat the price for one of these old guy's.

If you have some $$$$ you might want to get a newer JD finger planter to get away from the seed size issue.

I'd stay away from the air planters for the amount your planting. They require more adjustment and maintance.