Planters Corn Planter...Choices?

[spanky8N]

Does anyone have experience with the following planter?

Covington Planting System with fertilize seed hopper, cultivator, laying off point, coulter, 3 pt. hitch.

Are there any other three point planters to choose from? I will be planting about 1/2 acre of corn with it.
Thanks,
Dan

 

[johan3400]

I found a used John Deere model 71 two row 3pt model. It is in great shape and I will plant about 3 acres of Sweet corn with it. I will check and see if he has another. The guy rebuilds them for a hobby. He lives in North Dakota. I know it is an old plate planter, but it is in great shape.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I also purchased a 2 row John Deere 71 Flexi Planter. It is much more than I need! I actually was looking for a 1 row unit but couldn't find one. My 2 row was completely rebuilt by a guy who builds small units out of large ones and looks brand new. Extra plates are available for the Flexi Planters, I see them on Ebay and apparently some of the JD dealerships also stock them.

I would be willing to sell you 1/2 of my 2 row unit (one full planter unit) at a good price, but you'd have to make a 3 point mounting bar for the unit (or I could help you with that as my friend owns a machine shop).

John Deere 71 Flexi Planter with corn plate

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

The gentleman that built your (and my) planter is selling out his inventory of #71 planter parts. I have his email addy if you're interested.

The #71 Flex Planter was discontinued by Deere about 6 years ago. They were built (under contract) for Deere, by the Yetter Company. (I'm a Yetter dealer also!) A complete 2 row planter (new) with hitch would set you back almost $2000. That's kind of cost prohibitive, unless you're getting into gardening on a BIG scale.

The #71 planter is about as good of a planter as was ever built. They are capable of planting just about anything.

Yes, they are plate-type, and the plates are still available through "Lincoln-Ag".

Another good choice would be a Deere model 246 planter, if you could find one in decent shape.

I don't know what price range you are talking about (original post) but if you would contact me by PM, I MIGHT be able to do you some good on a model #71 unit.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Dan you would really like the Covington Planter. We have one with our 3000 Yanmar and really like it. We have al lthe plates with ours and have planted millet,corn,beans,peas,okra,squash,watermelons, sunflowers and More with it and really are pleased. I like the way the Covington clicks to let you know that the planter drive wheel is turning. The only problem we had with it was the Seed/fertilzer chute got stopped up once with dirt. I left the tractor roll back with it in the ground and it plugged it up. Its easy to unstop and fairly easy to restart you planter in the right row if it happens. I have also cut down some 4 row jobs but like the Covington better. We plant 4 to 12 acres worth of gardens each spring. The next then wae are gonna try with ours is planting wildflowers in rows for a friends farm driveway.

 

[DDT]

If your interested. I have a 1 row planter,3 point, With JD 7000 unit and ground driven for sale. I built this one, works very well, corn, beans and more. I just bought a 4 row air planter. Do not need it any more.

 

[Wall]

I am looking for # 71 Flex Planter corn planter also. I would be interested in buying ½ and I can build the tool bar

 

[spanky8N]

Thanks for the ideas and the review on the Covington. I am going to see a JD 71 Flexi Planter next weekend to compare before I make my mind up.
Thanks again,
Dan