Grain/soybean drill recommendations

[Dave from MN]

Can anyone make a recommendation for a drill which would work for grain in well prepared seedbeds and min till seed beds for soybeans? I had used a van brunt this past spring but didnt have the best results. I want to keep my cost under $1500 and would like a 12' or bigger but not over 20.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The modern JD 750 is a fine notill drill, but out of your price range. For beans I prefer a planter, like a JD 7000 with Kinze bean meters. It gets a more uniform depth and better soil to seed contact and so more even emergence.

Gerald J.

 

[BobHnwOh]

IH #5100.

 

[RodinNS]

I'm in about the same situation as you except I have a Massey 33...
I'll agree that the Deere 750 is a good drill, and I'll agree that you need a lot more money than 1500 to get one, or at least get one in operating condition.
Until then, tillage is your friend. Lots and lots of tillage...

Rod

 

[Anonymous-0]

How many acres are you planning on seeding? Up till about a year ago the SCS would rent you one. Your 1750 will pull it (15 foot size) but is not any too large. My neighbor does it with a 4030 Deere his largest tractor. Most guys around run 100 + horsepower on a 15 foot drill. On a good day we do 80 acres no problem. Let that be your guide for renting one. A splitter is a better deal for beans. We do not till for wheat. Next most popular drill is a Great Plains. In fact the Deere dealer sold both at his old location.

 

[Ken Macfarlane]

Rod what are you cropping down there? I see an old IH drill for sale in the valley but its about 12-15 feet. I was thinking about getting an old little drill to mess around with. There was a IH 80 pull type combine for sale locally that could give a fellow a taste. There used to be a lot of wheat grown locally. Not so much now.

Still looking to increase my hp too. Looked at a TS and a Massey. Those Massey's are a nice little machine. Too bad the Perkins has a reputation for being thirsty.

 

[RodinNS]

Ken,
We grow some barley, wheat, oats and sometimes fall rye.
IH 80 pulltype.... now that just gives me the willies.
We've got an old M-D in the woods up here. I forget the number on it, but it goes a way back in time. We also have an IH 615. Lately it's been a lot easier to have someone come in and cut the grain... be done of it quickly rather than fight with ole red.
I suppose if the machine is in good shape now and you don't plan on doing much with it, then it might be 'fun'.

What Massey were you eyeing up?

BTW, if you just want any old cheap drill, head down to the truro sale next april. There's usually something there. Probably a Massey 33 or two. They aren't much, but good enough to play with.

Rod

 

[Ken Macfarlane]

Yeah, I probably should just get someone in. A neighbour has a pair of newish combines. I'm just curious how well it would do since I have to plow and reseed some fields already.

I'll have to go to the sale, I've never been.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I suggest either the IH 620 or newer IH 6200 press wheel drills. I've used my 620 in min-till (not notill) and conventional tillage with excellent results. They don't have enough down pressure nor are built stout enough for notill. Have sowed both beans and wheat. Recently went to a JD 520 soybean special and coulter cart for notill beans, because notill beans are all the rage. Also worked OK and saved a tillage pass.