John Deere VanBrunt grain drill seed tubes

andy r · Feb 27, 2023

I bought a fairly nice John Deere VanBrunt model B grain drill for seeding waterways. I knew the main seed tubes (from the big hopper) going in between the double disk openers needed attention. The drill has 3 original seed tubes that are the spiral metal type. The other seventeen of them are what the original metal ones sub to in the John Deere parts book - a rubber tube. A couple were twisted and collapsed and it appears that about 12 have been nibbled on by mice shortening them at least 6 - 8 inches. I think all of them need replacing except for two. John Deere wants $35 a tube. There are aftermarket ones for $8.65. I am concerned about mice again. Has anyone ever come up with a durable material that might substitute for these seed tubes? They are 17 inches long with a 1 1/2 inside diameter hole at the top and a one inch hole at the bottom. The tubes have a noticable taper from top to bottom. See attached picture. I might look into some 1 thin wall plastic water pipe. Possibly could heat the pipe and expand the top. I don't know if it will work or not as the originals do have some flex to them. Someone mentioned flexible hot tub piping. Ideas appreciated.

rusty6 · Feb 27, 2023

Looks like the same thing as I have on the Massey 360 disker seed attachment. Just flexible plastic pipe by the look of them although I have never tried to replace one. My old JD Van Brunt has the metal flexible tubes. Back in the days before everybody went all crazy clearing out their old machinery for scrap iron you could have found any number of those metal flex tubes.

tomstractorsandtoys · Feb 27, 2023

I would buy the aftermarket ones and then pull them out of the seed boot at the end of the season. Mice are far less likely to eat them if they are just hanging down outside the boot. I remember replacing some on dads drill. I think we did have to shorten them some. Tom

caterpillar guy · Feb 28, 2023

If you use black plastic pipe split the end down an inch or 2 heat in hot water and push up on the seed cup opener. then with a smaller pipe inside it can telescope as it works and the bottom will fit in the opener. I think on the old oliver superior dad used a hose clamp to hold the end tight at the seed box end. been 20 plus years since he sold it after he got his notill drill.

Leroy · Feb 28, 2023

The cup at top that the tube fastens on usually goes bad befor the tube. And you get a stiff tube and if correct length when ground it will bend and put a crimp in and when let down to work it will pull the tube out of place and will clog the tube so nothing gets thru it. The flexable rubber tubes have a clamp on bottom end to keep them in place. I had one for several years and did not like it, Liked the McCormick model MF way better lot easier to set foe different crops, ther deviding gate inside that cup was tearable to move from one crop to anouther. Would hate to even cuess how many times I hurt my hands trying to get it to move. Had to move it twice a year to go from wheat to beans and back. Got a McCormick to rebuild for my use but did not get it done before I had to quit farming. If I had I would have sent that JD to a new home, that is how much I disliked it.

buickanddeere · Feb 28, 2023

(quoted from post at 20:31:31 02/27/23) I bought a fairly nice John Deere VanBrunt model B grain drill for seeding waterways. I knew the main seed tubes (from the big hopper) going in between the double disk openers needed attention. The drill has 3 original seed tubes that are the spiral metal type. The other seventeen of them are what the original metal ones sub to in the John Deere parts book - a rubber tube. A couple were twisted and collapsed and it appears that about 12 have been nibbled on by mice shortening them at least 6 - 8 inches. I think all of them need replacing except for two. John Deere wants $35 a tube. There are aftermarket ones for $8.65. I am concerned about mice again. Has anyone ever come up with a durable material that might substitute for these seed tubes? They are 17 inches long with a 1 1/2 inside diameter hole at the top and a one inch hole at the bottom. The tubes have a noticable taper from top to bottom. See attached picture. I might look into some 1 thin wall plastic water pipe. Possibly could heat the pipe and expand the top. I don't know if it will work or not as the originals do have some flex to them. Someone mentioned flexible hot tub piping. Ideas appreciated.

<img src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto148663.jpg>

Where did you find after market drop tubes ?

JWalker · Mar 1, 2023

I have had one of those drills for almost 40 years. Get the coiled/flex tubes for a 8000? Drill. It requires a clip to fasten it to the seed boot but it works much better. If I get in early from work tomorrow I will try to take picture of tube, clip, and part number for you.

John Deere VanBrunt grain drill seed tubes

andy r

Member

rusty6

Well-known Member

tomstractorsandtoys

Well-known Member

caterpillar guy

Well-known Member

Leroy

Well-known Member

buickanddeere

Well-known Member

JWalker

Member

Similar threads