JD 8300 Soybeans

[jersey6620]

I have a 8300 drill that we use to plant soybeans and had a problem this year for the first time. Been using this drill for 30 years, but this year we had a problem with beans not coming up in the tractor tires marks.
The soil here ranges from clay to soil depending on the field. Dad moved the depth collar to limit how deep the beans are planted in the sandy soil. I think that caused it not to plant them deep enough in the clay behind the tires as the ground was packed down.

When I was a kid (41 now) we used to pull an old Deere culti-packer (the screech of the scrapers would drive you mad) before we drilled beans. We switched to a Perfecta 10 years ago and until this year it's worked great.

Dad wants to get another culti-packer, his thought is the Perfecta is leaving the ground to loose. I think we need to increase the pressure in the openers behind the tires.

Anyone have any suggestions?

BTW, I tried replacing the down-pressure springs thinking they are getting tired. The replacement ones that came from the dealer are lighter than the ones on there now. I have had no luck finding them anywhere besides the dealer.

 

[paul]

Clay is such a different thing. Mostly what we have here. Drilling beans was a fad that came and went here, it just doesn't fit clay soils very well.

I would be on your side of things.

Have you ever heard of a Track Whacker? That is a few shovels that go behind the tractor wheels. They were real popular here during the bean
drilling fad.

Paul

 

[fastfarmall]

How are the disk's behind the tractor tracks,i use to change them every other year, and then put them somewhere else, but those track whackers work good to, as long as you raise the 3 point hitch or what ever controls it before you turn! Put you old springs back on with some spacers!

 

[jersey6620]

The disks are on their second year, so they're in good shape. Thought of the spacers, good to know I'm not alone on that.

I have never heard of track whackers, they look interesting.