Super A Planters (178, 179, 180)

Is there any way to tell the difference between these mounted planters for the Super A? I have one of these models and need to find out which one it is so I can buy the correct manual for it from Binder Books. Thank you

Tom

On a 179 you use a shovel or middle buster and on a 180 it uses a furrow opener. At least thats the only thing I have noticed differant. Dont know about a 178.

I know Binder books has a book for a 179 but I dont think they do for a 180.

Pictures would help.

170 - disk opener
171, 177, 179 - blackland (middle buster type)
172, 178, 180 - runner opener

Lets do this in steps. Some of the runner type may have been set up with a disk opener. Narrow it down to one of the 3 types and I will try to look at how to tell which one it is within the category.

Jim-
It is a runner type and does not have a disk opener. I have seen a picture of a 178 bottom and it looks like what I have. How can we tell if it is a 172, 178, or 180 model? Also, does the hopper make a difference? I have one with a little plastic windows to see how much seed is left. Thank you for your help.

Tom

Hey, you swapped your name around. You have a new post count of 1.

Well, I don't have details on the 180. In the Super A brochure that features the 180, they reused a picture of a 178. So I guess there isn't much difference. Several seed hoppers were available for each planter and they can be fairly easily moved from one planter to another. Makes the hoppers a little less reliable for telling what planter it is. I think the combination hopper is the only one that had a window and the window wasn't added until 1958. If it is still the original hopper, it has to be a #180.

The 172 had a fixed frame whereas the 178 and 180 had a frame that would float and had a pressure spring mounted forward in the center. They made a package to backfit a hinged frame to the Cub version of the 172, don't know if they did for the Super A. Also, the 172 is the only one likely to have the rounded top Richmond seed hopper. The others would have typically had the combination hopper.

So if the floating frame thing checks out, I would figure it is a 180 and try to get that manual. I doubt there is much difference between the 178 and 180. If you find a 178 manual and can't find one for the 180, go with it. I would expect it to be close enough to answer any operation questions you have.

I have the pressure spring that mounts forward. It must be a 178 or 180. I think the hopper is from a later model or even another model planter, like a 249 galvanized hopper I think. Thank you for your help.

Tom

Are there any pictures out ther of a 178 or a 180?