Building a toolbar for 3pt implements

[firefighter9208]

Back during the winter I bought a couple JD 71 Flex Planters. They did not come with a toolbar.

I found a used toolbar and bought it from another farmer. The problem is the mounts for the 3pt hitch were exactly at 30". I wanted to mount my planters at 30", but settled on mounting them outside the 3pt mounts. This gave me 36" rows. The problem is the planter was almost planting in my tire tracks (tractor set up on 60" centers).

I decided to build my own toolbar. I called a local steel supplier and order a 6' piece of 2 1/2" (1/4" wall) square tubing. I went to pick it up on Friday and they didn't even have 2 1/2" square tubing in the thickness. I had already paid and after grumbling about driving 50 miles the "guy in the back" told me he had a piece of 2 1/2" cold rolled bar he would give me if I didn't "tell the boss". Well we loaded it up and I was on my way. I also purchased a piece of 1/2" x 6" flat and a piece of 1/2" x 4" flat. $81.00 later I was on my way.

I copied the tollbar that I had purchased (Massey), but made it a lot stronger and so that I could mount my planters on 30" centers or wider and I also can mount one on the center of the toolbar and plant on 60" centers.

The first picture shows how I notched the 1/2" x 6" and welded it to the bar stock. The fifth picture show how we bent the uprights for the top link mount. The last two pictures are of the finished toolbar minus paint.

I primed it last night, but the pictures I took are kinda blurry. I will post more pictures after I paint it JD Green.

Chris

 

[Luremaker]

This is a great post firefighter. I also picked up a few 71 planters last summer and am needing to build two tool bars for them. I was looking for ideas on just how to go about it.

 

[firefighter9208]

Let me know if you need any measurements and I'll get them for you. I probably overbuilt this thing, as I do with most things I build.

The toolbar that I purchased from a local farmer had been used with 4 row planters. When I got everything mounted and the planters on the bar one of the planters was not level with the other. I got to looking closely and the bar had a slight bend. That is the main reason for building a "new" toolbar. That and wanting to mount the planters on 30" centers.

Chris

 

[firefighter9208]

Materials List:

2 1/2" square bar -- 60" long

1/2" x 4" flat -- 60" long

1/2" x 6" flat -- 60" long


Cut 4 pieces of 1/2" x 6" x 6" long. I drilled holes with a 7/8" drill bit for the category 1 pins. I first drilled the holes 1/4" then 7/8". The measurements for the holes were 1 1/2" from the end and centered.

I then notched 2 of the pieces with a 2 1/2" x 2" square notch. I mounted these two pieces to the square bar 12 1/2" from center.

I then notched 2 of the pieces with a diamond notch. The are the reinforcement plantes for the top link mount.

I then cut 2 pieces of 1/2" x 4" x 24" flat. I drilled 7/8" holes 1 1/2" and centered from one end. I then took the same end and marked it at 6". I clamped the pieces to the forks on my loader and began to heat them. My neighbor (Jim) preceeded to sit on the other end of the 24" piece as it bent slowly. When we got it bent to our liking (I'll measure for you) we stopped. We then clamped the other piece of 1/2"x4"x24" to the fork beside the first. This way we could get our bends the same.

I used a piece of 2"x2" square tubing cut 2 1/4" long to space between the top of the top link mount.

I used 2 pieces of 2"x2" square tubing 3" long for stand mounts. Notice them on each end of the toolbar. I"ll get better pictures tonight. I took a chain link fence post and cut it in half and welded a piece of 2" x 1/8" flat to the bottom for stands. Drilled holes at the top and bottom.

It took about 4 hours to build.

I'll post one of the pictures from priming the toolbar. Notice I have it suspended from the ceiling with a chain hoist. It is too heavy to pick up by hand.

BTW: That 7/8" bit cost me $35.00 at the local hardware store. I like aprox. 50 miles from Harbor Freight so I had to buy locally. :thumbdown:
Chris

 

[jnh92]

Firefighter....that is some great stuff. I was looking to make a single plow that would be off centered to the left, past my rear tires. The reason for this, is that I'm trying to clean out an irrigation ditch but can't get too close due to trees on that side. Wouldn't need to bury it, just about 4" so I can remove grass and other debris growing over it.
Your design could prove beneficial to me...thanks.

 

[firefighter9208]

Hope my design helps. I wasn't able to take pictures last night. I spent until 9:00 spreading fertilize.

Chris

 

[Luremaker]

I hope to start my toolbar Saturday morning. I'll be picking up the steel tomorrow morning. Do you really think 1/2" is needed? I was going to go with 3/8" plate for the part that goes to the top link.

 

[firefighter9208]

3/8" should be sufficient, but I wouldn't go any smaller. I went with the 1/2" for the strength and because they had a piece of 1/2" x 4 in their drop pile. I would definately go with 1/2" on the hook ups for the lift arms. I think 3/8" might bend there. 2 planters with the toolbar will probably weight around 400#. add in 2 bags of corn and you have about 500#.

Also, you need to measure your u bolts. John Deere planter toolbars are actually 2 1/4". I had to do some pretty significant grinding last night on the 2 1/2" to mount the planters. I would try to go with 2 1/2" bar and not tubing. If I had used tubing I would have ground almost through the wall of the tubing to get the bar small enough to mount the planters.

The planters are on the toolbar and mounted to the tractor. I plan to plant about 2 acres of Indian Corn and 1 -1 1/2 acres of white field corn when I get home today.


Chris

 

[thomasblair]

This looks like a very well-built toolbar. I'm new here, and looking for a definition of the difference between a diamond bar and a square bar. Near as I can tell the square bar has a face parallel with the ground (well, flat ground anyway) and the diamond bar is rotated 45 deg so that one of the corners of the square is pointing directly at the ground. Is this correct?

What's the difference in terms of implement usability and availability? Which tools are mounted on a diamond and which on a square?

 

[firefighter9208]

Thanks!!!

I think you are right on the difference between a diamond and square toolbar. I used square tubing on a 45 to make a diamond bar. I'm not sure what other implements fit on a diamond bar. John Deere mounted their early planters on a diamond bar, but later went to a 4"x6" bar for mounting them.