Ford 309 Planter

[brandonh]

got a Ford 309 Planter (2 row) on a trade and Ive never used one before. Its got about 5 sets of plates. Any tips and tricks? And how fast do you usually run these things?

 

[Paulinkansas]

I've got a Dearborne 2-row planter. The model number is something like 12-2 or 12-8, I don't remember. Anyway, Ford bought out Dearborne and continued to make the planter under the Ford name. Take the seed box apart, and make sure there is some grease on the plate that makes the seed plate turn. I run it at a walking speed. Send me a message if you need a copy of the seed spacing chart for the various sprocket/chain/plate combinations.

 

[brandonh]

defintely! that would be great. I noticed that the chain had a big and little sprocket. Wondered why. A chart would be great.

 

[Leroy]

Ford didn't have to buy out Dearborn as they started Dearborn and later just thought one name was better than two,

 

[Paulinkansas]

Ford model 12-88 corn planter

 

[greenbeanman in Kansas]

Chart image linked.

 

[Billybuck]

(quoted from post at 02:53:08 01/31/11) defintely! that would be great. I noticed that the chain had a big and little sprocket. Wondered why. A chart would be great.

The large sprocket on the axle is the drive sprocket for the seed shaft sprocket. If you have a small sprocket on the axle, it drove a sprocket on the fertilizer hopper shaft. I'm guessing you don't have the fertilizer hopper or its supporting frame.

 

[Brian in MI]

Keep the seed hoppers full enough. The seed plates need to be covered at least an inch or they will skip/miss seeds. Also check the seed knockers, make sure they work and are not broke.
Run the fertilizer wide open. Once dialed in they work great. The ground needs to be well tilled, no big clods or hard spots.