#70 Deere Flexiplanter

[Farmwithjunk]

Back in 1958, John Deere introduced the #70 Flexiplanter. It was an instant success story. By 1965, They had a better idea. The #71 FLEX PLANTER. But for 7 years, the #70 was Deere's best selling unit planter. The #71 was simply the 70 with easier adjustments for down pressure, a less complicated method of changing seed spacing, and a more supple suspension. The #71 remained in the Deere line up for more than 35 years. You can do anything with a #70 that you can do with a #71 so long as you have a few more minutes (and a few hand tools) when changing sprockets for seed spacing, and you can't plant quite as fast in really rough seedbeds. The #70 starts bouncing at speed over 5 MPH is clods and rough ground. The #71 will remain stable at speeds as high as 7 or 8 MPH. (BTDT!) Farmers still use 70's and 71's on toolbars, sometimes spaced as close as 15", for planting soybeans because of their remarkable ability to plant at high speeds.

For most of my years farming, I used #71's in a 4-row X 30" configuration for corn and soybeans. When I stopped putting out a crop, the 4 row planter got split up into two 2-row planters. Now my son wants to put out a corn crop. He talked ol' dad into re-assembling the old 4-row planter, leaving me without a planter. So, I bought a Massey Ferguson #39 2-row planter. But I wanted the simplicity, accuracy, and dependability of a 70 or 71.

And so here we are. I found a couple #70 row units at a nice price. Picked 'em up last week. They were "original". I got a few spare parts in the deal. So this weekend, I took it apart, cleaned it up, primed and painted everything. New decals will be here mid-week. I'm going to order a set of DEPTH BANDS as soon as I get a chance to swing by the Deere dealer. Also looking at buying a GANDY fertilizer unit, ground drive, and Yetter disc-type fertilizer openers. (Have to find a GANDY distributor in this area first.)

Here's a few pictures of the project.

 

[DLMaine01]

Great looking project FWJ and by the way never underestmate the importnace of "ol' dad"!!!!!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Back in one piece again! The paint is done. Dry enough to re-assemble. K&K Tractor called to tell me the decals went in the mailbox this morning. They should arrive by wed. The parts manual I found on EBAY got here this morning. Now to look up the part #'s for the 6-1/2" depth bands for corn planting, (2" planting depth) and the 8" bands for bean planting. (1-1/4" planting depth) I'll order them before weeks end. The GANDY rep called. The two nearest Gandy distributors don't handle AG stuff. (turf, as in Golf Course) He's sending me all the literature and pricing in the mail. Then we'll work out something so I can buy direct from them OR a distributor in another area.

 

[Redbug]

Thanks for the pics Farm! Let us know about how much the
fertilizer unit, ground drive, and Yetter disc-type fertilizer openers cost. I may go that route if I stumble across a planter I want. And post pics of the Gandy stuff...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Thanks for the pics Farm! Let us know about how much the
fertilizer unit, ground drive, and Yetter disc-type fertilizer openers cost. I may go that route if I stumble across a planter I want. And post pics of the Gandy stuff...

Gandy Products - Positive Displacement Row Applicator

 

[drz400]

Thats a nice looking planter! Can you tell me how the depth bands work? Are these attactments necessary? I just picked up a 71 one row. I'm waiting for the snow to melt so I can go try it out.Spring is right around the corner!

 

[Tritonman]

Depth bands are to assist in your depth control for small seeded crops like sugarbeets that need a consistent depth. I have several of them if anyone is interested, not sure of the sizes of the top of my head.

 

[Tritonman]

I checked out the Gandy units and list is $626 for the hopper and the sprocket/electric motor combination was about 350. Bottomline a thousand bucks would have you set up with a dry fertilizer hopper and motor. Coulters to drop the fertilizer in with would probably be 150 each.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Thats a nice looking planter! Can you tell me how the depth bands work? Are these attactments necessary? I just picked up a 71 one row. I'm waiting for the snow to melt so I can go try it out.Spring is right around the corner!

Depth bands attach to the sides of the disc openers. They're essentially a small wheel, somewhat smaller diameter than the disc itself. How much smaller determines planting depth. Any crop, be it corn, soybeans, sugar beets, ect, will benefit from a consistant planting depth. Some crops are more critical than others, but all benefit from CORRECT depth. The depth bands aren't essential, just a way of minimizing error.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I checked out the Gandy units and list is $626 for the hopper and the sprocket/electric motor combination was about 350. Bottomline a thousand bucks would have you set up with a dry fertilizer hopper and motor. Coulters to drop the fertilizer in with would probably be 150 each.

I've been quoted a slightly lower number. With freight, I'm looking at $890, coulters included. I'd prefer the ground drive method of powering the fertilizer hopper. Feed rates are relative to ground speed. With the electric drive, you calibrate feed to a given speed and must hold that speed constant. While that's not all so difficult, I like the flexability of being able to speed up on long runs and slow down at row ends without a conflict with the fertilizer feed rate.

Also worth note, used dry fertilizer openers are often available at auctions, used equipment dealers, and from classifieds in AG publications. Many are removed from muti-row planters, being replaced by liquid fert applicators. I've located 8 rows worth of dry fert. disc openers removed from a Deere 7000 series planter. Plan is to adapt 2 of them to my "project". That could lower my total cost of adding a fertilizer unit to the #70 planter by a few bucks!

 

[GreenMtns]

Back in one piece again! The paint is done. Dry enough to re-assemble. K&K Tractor called to tell me the decals went in the mailbox this morning. They should arrive by wed. The parts manual I found on EBAY got here this morning. Now to look up the part #'s for the 6-1/2" depth bands for corn planting, (2" planting depth) and the 8" bands for bean planting. (1-1/4" planting depth) I'll order them before weeks end. The GANDY rep called. The two nearest Gandy distributors don't handle AG stuff. (turf, as in Golf Course) He's sending me all the literature and pricing in the mail. Then we'll work out something so I can buy direct from them OR a distributor in another area.

FWJ
That picture of the 70 mounted to the MF is beautiful. The MF's tires even look like it is still in the show room.

Great work.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

FWJ
That picture of the 70 mounted to the MF is beautiful. The MF's tires even look like it is still in the show room.

Great work.

Thanks. We had 10" of snow here a week ago this past friday. I used the 150 to plow the driveway. Driving in that snow cleaned the tires. In a few weeks, it'll be time to get busy with planting. She'll get dirty then!

 

[RobS]

Another great looking refurb Fwj, I think I'd like to be your paint supplier!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

One step closer to completion! The decals arrived today. They're from K&K Tractor, Shelbyville Indiana. The Kastners specialize in John Deere restoration parts and services, but have a variety of parts and decals for other popular models and brands. Good folks with really good products.

My #1 Deere dealer has a package for me tomorrow. Depth bands, and new lids for the seed cans. (Old ones have a few dents and rust pits)

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Got too excited I guess. Forgot a picture and the link to K&K Tractor's site

K & K Antique Tractors

 

[RollTideRam]

If your mowing business slows down, you are ready for next venture.
Farm With Junk's Restored Farm Junk. JC

 

[Farmwithjunk]

If your mowing business slows down, you are ready for next venture.
Farm With Junk's Restored Farm Junk. JC

That's sorta what's already happened. I'm dealing with a minor health issue, so my wife and the boys have grounded me. No involvement in the mowing business 'till the doc sounds the all clear whistle. So, I'm painting everything that'll stand still long enough. Once I'm done with the planter, which will be very soon, I'm starting on a #24 Massey Ferguson baler. Painting a baler should keep me occupied for a couple days anyway.

 

[pennwalk]

Farmwithjunk, Those pictures are just beautiful. They look like something out of green magazine. Except your paint supplier sent you the wrong shade on the tractor. I can't believe you are thinking about using something that pretty. Thanks for the pictures.

Chris

 

[sixdogs]

What a beautiful job and attention to deal. You are to be congratulated.

 

[Oleozz]

My goodness, great job. I could use you for a month or so at my place to work on all the older equipment. You have an eye for detail.