horsepower to pull a four row planter

Tritonman · Aug 26, 2009

Well I bit the bullet on a real nice four row white model 6100 planter with dry fertilizer this week. It is 30 inch spacing. I am going to put some no till coulters on it and liquid fertilizer and was curious as to what I can get by with four horsepower/tractor to pull this thing with in a no till hard ground situation. I currently have a deere 4400 that will work in tilled ground, but am thinking of trading for a 4720, which is probably minimal but looking for insight.

Ken · Aug 26, 2009

My 4520 seemed large enough when purchased but now looking at the 5420 series.
bigger taller and will load 1200 lb bales of hay better. 4520 has the hydrolic power just to narrow in wheel spacing even with weights it tends to get wobbly loading bales.
4720 still is a good tractor.
5000 series seems to be heavier in material.
You might look and compare .
ken

jenkinsph · Aug 27, 2009

Why not have your dealer demo the 4720 and try it out first? It should work but seeing is believing.

I like the 4x20 series tractors because they are very nimble and easy to manuever in tight quarters but for field work and open areas the 6000 series would be my choice.

Steve

Tritonman · Aug 27, 2009

Worse case scenario, I will swipe my brothers 6400 deere or dads 2290 case FWA. For ease of trailering though if I can get by with the 4X20 series it would be the easiest for me. I have a buddy with a 2wd 5300 that I can test it on.

art · Aug 27, 2009

I'd look at borrowing the 6300 to pull that outfit here in central NY. The no till does add a higher need for horsepower not only from the weight but also from doing the tillage.

sunnyside360 · Aug 27, 2009

jenkinsph said:
Why not have your dealer demo the 4720 and try it out first? It should work but seeing is believing.

I like the 4x20 series tractors because they are very nimble and easy to manuever in tight quarters but for field work and open areas the 6000 series would be my choice.

Steve

Ditto! I'd do the same but not all dealers will do the demo. I can't believe the 4720 would lack the hp to do what you want but may not have the weight. Many times weight issues can be solved with loaded tires, wheel weights, and/or rear 3PH box with weight. For improving stability you can install the wheels on widest option.

kthompson · Aug 27, 2009

If I read all specs correctly, really don't think you will be able to pull a four row planter with no till attachments on it with a 4720. As have been stated HP may work (to me doubtful there, you normally do want some speed when running planters) but too light for needed traction.

radman1 · Aug 27, 2009

If that planter is no-till, the 4720 will struggle. If it is not a no-till planter, you should be fine. We have a 16 row White no-till and use a 245 hp tractor with MFWD. Our prior 180 hp with 2wd duals wasn't enough but did handle an 8 row White no-till with no problems. The 245 hp is probably a bit overkill but depends on soil, hills etc. A 16 row is going to be much heavier proportionally than a 4 row but I don't think you will have the traction. I think our 16 row weighs around 20000 lbs without seed or fertilizer.

A 2WD 5300 might be ok in good conditions. A MFWD 5300 could probably do it in most all conditions.

How did you find a 4 row no-till White planter? Very uncommon. Was it used for growing seed corn?

sunnyside360 · Aug 27, 2009

radman1 said:
If that planter is no-till, the 4720 will struggle. If it is not a no-till planter, you should be fine. We have a 16 row White no-till and use a 245 hp tractor with MFWD. Our prior 180 hp with 2wd duals wasn't enough but did handle an 8 row White no-till with no problems. The 245 hp is probably a bit overkill but depends on soil, hills etc. A 16 row is going to be much heavier proportionally than a 4 row but I don't think you will have the traction. I think our 16 row weighs around 20000 lbs without seed or fertilizer.

A 2WD 5300 might be ok in good conditions. A MFWD 5300 could probably do it in most all conditions.

How did you find a 4 row no-till White planter? Very uncommon. Was it used for growing seed corn?

I agree. It depends a whole lot on the type of soil and terrain you have to work with. My neighbor down the road pulls his 4 row no-till planter with 5000 series MFWD tractor (not sure of hp) mostly on flat land.