Manual Row Planters - Earthway vs. Lambert

[jmessing]

Hello.
I've been looking for a planter and purchasing a tractor driven one for my purposes seems expensive and overkill. Two models seem to be on the market today, the Earthway 1001b and the Lambert GSF-31M. The Earthway is the most common on the web and can be purchased for between seventy and one hundred dollars. The Lampert goes for between one hundred and one hundred fifty dollars. The difference between the two amounts to style and the Lambert comes with a row fertilizer standard, where it is an option on the Earthway.
I've seen some pros and consposts on the Earthway, mostly related to its performance in different soil types. Does anyone have the Lambert and care to offer an opinion?
- Joe
Earthway:
Lambert:

 

[Bird]

I used to have an Earthway and liked it, but I've never even seen one of the Lamberts.

 

[jperry507]

I have used an earthway for two years and love it. I plant a half acre (or more) with the manual seeder without a problem. I bought the extra seed rings, but I do not own the fertilizer. I prefer to top dress my rows with compost... so no opinion on that.

If you go with the earthway you won't be sorry.

 

[shvl73]

I also have the Earthway planter, it works well in dry soil. In wet soil, it clumps on the furrow and skips alot.
I picked up a Plant Jr planter, cat 1 type this summer, I haven't tried it yet and not sure if I'll keep it. It may be overkill for our small garden.

 

[VERDICT]

I purchased a Lambert this year from Tractor Supply. I am not happy with it at all. It is very "tight" fitting, which makes binding almost a continual problem. The seed plates do not space well, double, and sometimes triple seed regularly. The push handle is akward, so when pushing the planter, you are continually pushing down on the back end of the planter, but having to keep the front wheel on the ground also...VERY TIRING, and this is just to make the thing roll and feed properly. I may have gotten a lemon, but I would not buy another.

 

[randy41]

i have the earthway. never heard of the lambert. the success of the earthway depends on what seed you are planting. i've had good luck using it to plant beans. it is terrible for small seeds like lettuce, unless you like to do a lot of thinning.

 

[fredhargis]

How does the Earthway do with corn? I've been thinking of getting one, but have read reviews that described it as not bad, but not good either. I also havn't heard of a Lambert....might look next I get into TSC.