IH one row potato planter

[Bunchgrass Farm]

I'm going back to an old thread about IH potato planters some of you posted on. I've got one and it seems like the picker arms will rotate for a few revolutions (say a dozen or 20) and then stop. I can't tell why they stop and then will start moving again after traveling forward. This happens empty or with spuds in. Any ideas? There's a little trip rod down in the picker bin that runs along the axle. What is that for? Could it be my problem? Thanks for your help.

 

[Charlie M]

I've got a horse drawn one row planter that has enough build of grease and dirt over the years that some times the gears don't slide together enough so it will stay in gear. For the 5 minutes a year I use it I just tap the gears together with a mallet. Some day I need to clean it up real well and the issue will be done.

 

[K-Mo]

First check to see if any of the pickers are binding or getting caught on something.
Where in the drive is it stopping. What parts are moving and what parts are not.
There's a slip-clutch that is supposed to slip if the pickers binding or a rock gets in the workings. The main engagement clutch could be worn or maybe a broken spring.
You can get manuals from Binder Books.
Binder Books

 

[Bunchgrass Farm]

Thanks for the replies. I spoke to Kevin H from YT and as we were discussing the planter he mentioned having the cover disks down. The planter did great a few years ago but when I tested it last year w/ spuds in it, the skips began. Problem may have been testing it on the driveway (gravel) so the cover disks were elevated. Tried it tonight ...... no potatoes ...... but disks were down and the thing worked fine. We'll see how she does when it's time to plant.

Any pointers on adjusting the feeder gate from the upper bin? I just got the roller functioning reliably. Again --- many thanks.

 

[K-Mo]

I am assuming you have a No. 3 Planter.
The regulator gate should have a weight that slides on a bar with holes in it. The weight is then pinned to the bar at a location giving satisfactory regulation.
KMo

 

[Bunchgrass Farm]

Okay --- I just wasted a whole day trying to plant some potatoes w/ this #3 IH planter and she's acting up again. Hit and miss on the picker arms continuing to rotate and pickup taters to plant. Feels like something is binding but the pickers are clear --- feels more like in the axle-driveline.

Started tearing into it and of course everything that is mounted on the axle shaft is frozen or rusted in place - fun.

Manual is a POS. Mentions I can adjust the tension on the slip clutch by tightening 3 bolts. No picture or mention of where they might be and I can't see any anywhere.

Side note ---- I'm running with no chains at all as I assumed the gears/sprockets were to run the missing fertilizer unit. But in the manual they do mention a picker arm gear! Is one gear on the axle the direct drive gear and that moting is transferred via chains and sprockets to the picker arm drive gear on the opposite side? Uh oh. Still doesn't explain my problem but may be another one.

Thanks for your help.