Planters I got a "new" JD 71 Flex Planter

[Bob_Skurka]

I got a \"new\" JD 71 Flex Planter

Well I didn't wait for the lovely Mrs_Bob to leave town this time, I just saw something I had to have so I got it. Now I guess I'll have to wait for her to leave town so I can get it home /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The good news is, when she finally sees it and asks how long I've had it I can say (in all honesty) "oh, I've had that, but it was just at work . . ." /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: I got a \"new\" JD 71 Flex Planter

Another view

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: I got a \"new\" JD 71 Flex Planter

Yet another view

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: I got a \"new\" JD 71 Flex Planter

Final view.

This is a 2 head unit, made out of old parts that were cut down from old 8, 10 and 12 row planters. They guy who made it lives pretty close and he scavenges the farm auctions and specializes in making these 2 row planters out of the JD 71 Flex Planter units. I got corn seed plates, but I'm planning on swinging into the local dealership to pick up some additional seed plates. I'll also probably buy the smaller seed hoppers. I don't need a full bushel of seed in the hoppers and they have at least 2 smaller sizes available that are easily swapped out.

The retired farmer who makes these also sells them on ebay. The frames are fabricated from new parts and he does that himself.

 

[rdln]

Re: I got a \"new\" JD 71 Flex Planter

thats cool, I have always wanted some of those, they are/were popular near Bay city with sugar beet growers, call a dealer up there and will want 600 per used unit plus tool bar.

If I could find three of them (cheep) I would build a tool bar on the back of my 5ft tiller about 28in apart to plant corn in one pass.

good find, you can get plates for just about any seed you can think of.

 

[rdln]

Re: I got a \"new\" JD 71 Flex Planter

He doesn't currently seem to have any there, but i did find a manual for my JD 290 2 row steel wheel planter--too late I sold it 2 years ago, been broadcasting since.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: I got a \"new\" JD 71 Flex Planter

Steve, when I was talking to him earlier today he said he has 4 head units left and will be making a couple more planters soon. You might want to check about once a week for the next several weeks if you are interested. He has a reserve price of $750 on these units when he puts them on Ebay but said finding good complete units is getting harder to find so he might be raising his prices soon if he can't find some more planters to cut apart and restore at the auctions.

I got pretty lucky as he is only about 30 miles away from where I am located. I've been looking at some of the new compact units (Covington) but they are single head units and priced slightly higher. I've also seen other older JD units, but this is the best I've seen. So far everyone who has seen this one thinks it is brand new because he does such a good job refinishing them.

 

[kensfarm]

Re: I got a \"new\" JD 71 Flex Planter

Looks nice.. you don't need smaller seed tubs.. you need bigger fields to plant in! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Once you get your new seed plates.. a 2-row cultivator would complete your setup. A square bar w/ a 3pt connect.. and then get 6 "S" tines from TSC.. & sweeps.. they have "L" connectors for the tines.. easy to bolt on the square bar.. & easy to adjust for row width.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: I got a \"new\" JD 71 Flex Planter

Not being one to leave well enough alone, I had already been looking at some way to attach a cultivator set up so I could do everything in one pass!!!

 

[PineRidge]

Re: I got a \"new\" JD 71 Flex Planter

Bob that really is a nice looking planter and it sounds like you got it for a great price. I like the rubber on the wheels of yours as compared to the steel wheels that I have on my Allis 2 row planter.

How much land are you planning on planting?