John Deere 290 Planter Restoration (PICS)

I am wanting to start the restoration of this John Deere 290 Two-Row Corn Planter. I will be posting updates as I go along.

It needs new tires and I was wondering were I should get these at? What tires would you recommend for this planter?

There are various areas on the planter that have been repaired, look at the pictures for the areas that have been repaired.

Now for the marker arms. These are what came with the planter when I purchased it. The guy said that he thought that they went with this planter as it was the only one on the farm. Looking at other 290 planters, these do not look like any others that I have seen. Does anyone know if these markers are correct to this planter?

I want this to be a good quality restoration, and I want it to look good!

Thanks for all the help! I will keep everyone posted on the progress.

Thanks for everything!
From Denton, Nebraska
Andrew Kean

The marker arms are identical to the ones I have for an ABG 540 lister. I am missing a few pieces from mine, so if they are not the correct ones for your 290, I might be interested in aquiring them from you.

Well, since you are restoring it and maybe showing it, you do want the tires to look decent. You don't have to worry about speed rating, don't really need mud and snow tread. Personally I would go with wide whitewalls or white letter outlines. LOL

A lot of those planters were sold with used car tires on them, but correct ones would be implement tires of a size to fit your rims. Jorde has the proper decal for your planter.

P.S. I have restored a 290 planter and can take pics of it for you if you want.

Andrew,

Those markers are correct. My Dad's 290 had the same markers.

Wayne

As John stated, those markers are for a lister.

Finding used car tires to fit those narrow rims can be a challenge for sure. Finding good ones suitable for a restoration is even tougher but you already know that. Real cheap new bias plys might be available if you find the right tire store. I got lucky finding a set of four 7.50-16's that a local tire store wanted to get rid of. If I remember right they were in the $25 apiece range. They're on a Case 3 ton running gear now. Jim

This looks like a later one, It has disc openers and demountable wheels. I had one with shoe openers and spoke wheels, wish I had it back for sweet corn. I sold it about 5 years ago at a consignment auction, got $300 for it. I don't think the markers are correct, if I remember they had a single arm and lifted with a rod. Mine had 6.70 X 15 tires on it and they just cleared the frame, I think a 6.40 X 15 implement rib tire would be the right one.

Another thing, the earlier ones had smaller seed boxes and did not have the gauge built into the cover, it looks like this one does not have the fertilizer attachment.

Those markers ARE NOT CORRECT, do not know what they are off of but definatly not a 290, I have 4 of them setting here at this time and I think one good set of markers and 2 butchered ones as people did not either know how they were to be set for narrow rows or did not care. That Planter even with disk wheels could use either a 6:00X16" tire or a 6:70X15" tire.

In the first picture I can see where someone added parts to the frame to use those marker arms from some completely different implement. You have the mid size seed box.

On my McCormick planter I used tires off from a Volkswagon Beetle. 15 inch and nice and narrow.

Tires? Skinny odd size tires are easily available for someone with lots of money-order the antique tires. For someone with less money- like me and seemingly most of forum- salvage yards that have a pile of spacesaver spares or the motorcycle dealers wih pile of takeoff sets. Harleys run throgh 2 back tires for every front can give you a decent 5x16 tire. The 15 inch skinny spare from large GMs is about 5 inchs wide - marked metric 120 to 130. Some of these tires can be free- a scrap metal place that preps cars wil pull wheels aside until big enough pile to pay guy to cut tire from wheel for scrap weight- and a 6 pack of Coke on a hot day will get you a pair of workable wheels and tires plus a unmatched spare to haul away for neighbors beater with 2 flat tires. Scrounge a litle- the 13 inch spares from Nissans with 4 bolts can be used for trailer tires, couple threads about Cubs using the space savers on front wheels. A trailer axle assembly can be gotten cheap from a yard getting a Dodge mini van ready to crush- the back axle with springs, mount plates and wheels/tires can be $20.00. The GM back axles cleaned and ready for projects set at one yard from $30.00 a set with tires, last about a week before someone stops weekend to get one for farm railer or bike hauler- the trailer supply places want couple hundred for axles,etc. Motorcycle shop that has small dirt bike customers is source of knobby 15 to 21 inch tires for some garden carts and other equipment- might find a 1/2 worn usable set of tires for planter that need a litle ground grip for chain work. RN--- cheap teasing a little.

I always thought the 290s had spade drag markers, not disk markers. I could be wrong though, I know more about 71 units than the old 24s.

Andrew, I have seen a number of those 290 and 490 planters, and used a 290 for awhile for sweet corn I have to say that is the worst CONDITION I HAVE EVER SEEN. I"D SUGGEST YOU RESTORE ANOTHER OF YOUR COLLECTION AND WAIT FOR ANOTHER 290 TO RAISE IT"S LITTLE HEAD.

One was optional but forget the type that was optional but most had the disk markers.

Anyone

what rod would be used for welding that cast. My Fergy needs a little tlc on the power takeoff covering. Nickel perhaps>