Track eliminators for J.D. Flex 71 planter

[BrianR]

Here are my tire track eliminators for a 1 row John Deere Flex 71 planter behind a Kubota BX2200.

They have the added bonus, of creating a furrow that I can run my front tire into, to keep my rows all spaced evenly. By lining up either edge of the front tire or the center of the tire, with the furrow I can get 26", 30" and 34" row spacing without adjusting anything on the toolbar.

I just put in 6 rows of sweet corn earlier this evening with it, and it works great.

 

[Maknwine]

That's a cool setup. Beats the heck out of dropping seed by hand.

 

[BrianR]

Thanks! It works great.

Here's an updated photo with the toolbar painted JD green and some newer shanks and shovels. Also included photo after using it to plant 6 rows of sweet corn last week.

 

[bjr]

What is the purpose of the wheels mounted on the sides of the openers? I've never seen them before. bjr

 

[Ford850]

What is the purpose of the wheels mounted on the sides of the openers? I've never seen them before. bjr

To control the depth.

 

[jimgerken]

That's perfect. Where can a guy buy a single flex unit? I can fab the rest...

 

[jbooth]

jimgerkin
There are quite a few John Deere 71 planters on E-Bay at this time. Most have 3 point toolbars but at least one does not. Shipping and price are the main obstacles. Still they are a good buy if you have the real need. Might be some potential from local farmers.

 

[jbooth]

jimgerkin;
Just noticed you are from Minnesota. There are quite a few of the E-Bay sellers in that area .

 

[BrianR]

I bought mine from Minnesota, if I remember right. Guy went by Hendo on Ebay. He shipped it UPS ground in 2 boxes. Around here (Ohio) you just don't run into the flex 71 planters. Mostly 290/490/494A, 7000, 7200's in use around here.

I use the depth bands if I work the ground before planting......but for no-till, I remove them and hang another 100lbs of weight on the toolbar. It plants very nice. I can pull it with my BX2200 easily.

 

[jbooth]

Hope I'm not doing something unethical, but I have also bought from hendo235. I'm sure I will be forgiven if a transaction is made.

planters
Wilmar Minnesota
Ryan Hendricks 1604 30th St NW, Wilmar MN 56201
320-905-2683

 

[BrianR]

I have been very happy with my purchase from him.

I am getting ready to plant some more sweet corn and lots of green beans with it, if it ever dries up around here.

 

[jimgerken]

OK. Thanks for the pointers to Ebay and the guys in MN selling the 71-based planters. I also found a JD model 290, which has been converted to 3-point, and painted up. So it has tires, and I suspect it used to have a hitch, but now has the 3-point stuff. Questions: Are the planter units on a 290 also individually ground driven from the press-roller like a 71 unit is? Or are they driven from a common shaft, which is driven by the tires on the ground. Is the 290 design just as accurate as the 71 units? Can a guy still get parts? Which is older, the 71 design, or the 290? Thanks!!!

 

[BrianR]

I sent you a PM, but forgot to answer the age thing....the 290 is an older design than the 71 units.

 

[jimgerken]

Thanks Brian. Looks like the model 71 is the one to buy at this time then. I will keep looking.

 

[Tritonman]

Im one of the guys from North Dakota that sells alot of flex planters on ebay. You can PM me if you are interested. Thanks

Hank

 

[jimgerken]

OK, took delivery of my "new" two-row 71 planter. I understand I can buy plates from Lincoln Ag. Any other places for plates and parts? And, is there a guide or book (online maybe), that explains the plates' applications better? I do remember seeing on some seed corn bags they had printed recommended plates. But for what I am going to plant, I will have to figure out the plates myself, I suppose. Sweetcorn, beans and peas, sunflowers, maybe others... Thanks.

 

[firefighter9208]

OK, took delivery of my "new" two-row 71 planter. I understand I can buy plates from Lincoln Ag. Any other places for plates and parts? And, is there a guide or book (online maybe), that explains the plates' applications better? I do remember seeing on some seed corn bags they had printed recommended plates. But for what I am going to plant, I will have to figure out the plates myself, I suppose. Sweetcorn, beans and peas, sunflowers, maybe others... Thanks.

I have bought parts from Tritonman. He shipped quickly and the parts were in good condition. Also much cheaper than the JD dealer. I bought depth bands, sprockets, and Sunflower plates from him.

I have also purchased plates from a guy I found on craigslist. He has lots of plates at good prices. His email is gglaritz@att.net

You have to size the plate to the seed. If you look at Lincoln Ag's website the plates are numbered ex: B5-16 and then cell sizes 40/14/20 (in 64th of an inch) (length/depth/thickness). I used the B5-16 and B5-24X for Moseby's Prolific white field corn. Same plate, just different number of cells.

The Roundup Read seed corn that I bought specified a B9-16 or B9-24x (28/12/20) for it's seed. Same plate, just different number of cells. With the B9-16 the corn is spaced about 8-10 inches apart. I also used these plates to plant Indian Corn.

The problem with a plate type planter is from year to year the corn seed can be different sizes. The Roundup Ready field corn seed I bought was a very consistent size. The Moseby's looked to be field run and was all sizes. Sometimes it would drop 1 seed and sometimes 2-3 seeds.

Also, JD plates are not numbered like Lustran plates. The guy at the parts dealer (JD) couldn't even figure out how to look up the JD plates.

I have a copy of a JD 71 Manual (with JD plate numbers) If you have a fax # PM me and I will fax you a copy.

You can look at Yetter's website and download a copy of the Yetter 71 planter, but it doesn't give JD part numbers and some things have changed over the years.

Chris

 

[jbooth]

I have compiled an XL spreadsheet that covers the plates for 71 planters and would share with anyone who is interested. In most cases it does not cover the exact plate to use for a seed but does give cell size in 64ths and decimals. Just send an send an E-Mail and I will return the E_mail with the spreadsheet as an attachment. I still don't know my way around this forum very well so I will post my mailing address here. Probably don't need to but here it is anyway. jbooth1013@mchsi.com

 

[BrianR]

Congrats on the purchase of your 71 planter! You'll love it.

I have acquired quite a collection of seed plates, to combat the problem of the variance in seed size from year to year. Also, I do not screen my seed for size, so I just pick a plate that gets the job done. I'd rather be heavy on the planting than too light.

I use soybean plates for peas and green beans. I have a sunflower plate that works for some small pumpkin seeds as well.

Still looking for various seed plates on ebay from time to time.

 

[jimgerken]

Brian, how about a picture of that "50 inch chisel plow" your profile lists? I have been looking for such an animal for fall tillage. thanks!