Planter Questions.

Hi guys,

I've been planter shopping lately, hoping to find something to use next year. I got the chance to farm 3 acres this year, and if all works out ok, I'll continue. I know it's not much, but it's a start for me. I planted corn on it, used a 2 row 290 JD, and mark my words, I never want to use such a planter again. I'm looking to buy a planter worth buying, and at a dealer about 100 miles away, there is a 6 row 800 Cyclo, it looks to have the 900 updates on it, and they also have a 4 row 900. The 900 is quoted as a 36" rows, I assume that means it is a wide frame, will that planter adjust down to 30"? The 6 row is already a narrow I believe, I'd rather have the 6 just in the event I get to farm more ground, but they want more, borderline too much for it. Both planters have liquid fertilizer, the 4 row has a 1000 rpm pump on it, I'll have to get a 540 pump for me to use it, as I don't want to plant with the 806. I don't know yet if the 6 row has 540 or 1000 rpm punm on it.

So, I'm wondering, 1st of all, I'd like to use the old 450D to pull it. I've read that those cyclo air planters take a few ponies to pull, will that tractor handle the 4 and 6 rows? Second, if it'll only handle a 4 row, will that 4 row wide adjust down to 30"? Lastly, what kinds of expirences do you guys have with them? I've looked through the archives some, and overall, they sound like ok to good planters with a little maintenance.

I'll have to share some pix of the old 450 planting this year's corn, I know how everybody loves pictures! Hope I'm not forgetting anything I should ask, Thanks for the input! -Andy

if you can resolve the pump issue to your satisfaction a450 would probably pull the planters if you don't load them up, if you do don 't expect to get them lifted off the ground , especially the 6 row. i had a neighbor who wanted to pull his 6 row with a 560 and when he got it loaded with seed and liquid fert he couldn't lift it, beware..

No more than you are going to use one i would avoid the air planter.If in only my opp a 694A or 7000 JD or a White plate planter would be much cheaper and more user friendly.in my opp any planter must have disc opponers as opposed to the old time shoes.If your 450 wont lift any planter use a 4x8 hyd cyl instead of the 3x8.Bud.

if your going to continue to farm ,see if you can locate a 7000 jd trail type with finger pickup units for corn or one of the latter versions,we have a vacuum planter also it's a lift type requires a larger tractor to handle the weight an requires higher engine rpm to turn the fan, i still prefer the trail type with the finger pickup units,simple to operate and i can pull it with a 40 horse tractor with single action hydraulics, uses a lot less fuel and easier to turn around in small fields, it will plant just as accurate as the air or vacuum and don't have to contend with seed size and shape like a plate planter,also you can find them with no-till attachments,as stated earlier stay away from fix drill skid shoe type planters,which ever brand you choose make sure it isn't worn out

Be nice to know how many acres you plan on doing next year. You can't even turn a 6 row unit around on 3-acres. If it is going to be less than 30 to 40 acres why get above a two row unit? If you are new to growing corn you best keep it small until you learn how unless you have a lot of money to burn. Just like a pro baseball player makes the plays look easy, these old hayseeds (I was raised by one) make farming look easy because they know what they are doing from years of experience often passed from father to son or grandson. Believe me when I say the "ART" of farming is not easy.

I will be keeping things small. Land is hard to rent, only have this 3 acres because of a dispute between farmer and land owner... I heard about the falling out, didn't want in the middle of things, then one day asked the guy if he wanted the weeds disked down, next thing I know, I'm farming. I've got quite a few friends who are interested in helping me and seeing me succeed, Trying to pick up the best habits of a few of the friends and neighbors I help and observe. Probably won't get any more land opportunities for a while, and that's ok. I do have learning to do. I only planted corn this year because it had soybeans last year, and I have a corn burner furnace, if I don't get enough corn off that 3 acres to heat my house all next winter and then some, well, I don't have much business farming, anyway. Next year, I'm considering growing soybeans on 2 of the 3 acres, and popcorn on 1 acre. I've been growing Popcorn for a couple years in the garden, many people locally know it and are interested, I think if I actually grew enough to sell that I could sell it, between local folks and a few farmer's markets. Right now, Farming is just a hobby for me, Someday I'd like the opportunity do more, in the meantime, I'll just enjoy what I'm doing.

I just hated using that 2 row, I've planted 25 acres in the same time I planted my 3, and if I'm going to buy a planter, I want one worth owning, and useful to me if I do get the chance to farm more. With the planter I used, and the level of tillage I did in the short time I had, the seed depth and coverage was absolutely atrocious, mainly in a few hard spots where it only got disked a few inches deep. The spacing seems acceptable, however. I know that the level of tillage I did would have been approiate if I'd had a planter capable of doing a better job, I just wasn't anticipating the results. Live and learn. Thanks for the input! -Andy

Get a JD 7000, nice mechanical planter.