John Deere 71 Planter Flex

[zslonglo]

Hello to all: I need help on the use of a corn planter. I bought a John Deere 17 Flex Planter, with two rows. But it does not have a marker attached to it. I never used this implement before. I have a manual but it looks as if I am reading Greek. No idea! So, I am asking for your help, please: do I necessarily need a marker to maintain accurate distance/spacing? And if so, where do I buy one. I don't see any on ebay.
Second question: I bought some plates for okra and edible beans. Do I have to adjust the chains or also purchase different sizes of sprocket for these seeds or the plates are good enough?

Thanks

 

[paul]

I have not used a 71, but I have a couple of the similar IHC type planter units. Typically there are several sprockets stored on the planter and you just pick the ones you
need. If not you might need to buy some, yes. Anyhow you do need to change speeds for different plant spacings.

Yetter bought the plans and manufacture of these planter units, so you might want to check both JD and Yetter to see who has the best prices these days.

For a marker, you can use a 2x2 stick or electrical conduit or some such, bolt across the front of your tractor, and hang a chain down from the bar where the next row
should be. Then you can drive and watch the chain, and keep the chain over the previous row. With a 2 row you are probably following your tire tracks anyhow, but the
tube and chain is a nice guide for starting a field.

Would love to spend an hour with you and show you the planter and how to operate, I can see where a book with zero experience would be a challenge. Any older
farmers in your area?

Paul

 

[DeltaSteve]

I take it you are planting a large garden plot? You dont need markers. Not with a 2 row. JustAim for the far end,drive straight. Then place the tire on the track from the privious passWith practice you will learn to drive straight.Just remember to follow the same two rows each time you cultivate.Two row
markers are short,really too short to do much.You can attach a 2x4 across the front of your tractor. Hang a length of chain at correct distance to help line up with the privious pass. Let it drag
the ground.The extra sprockets are 'hidden' in the chain drive cover. It easily snaps off.sprockets are easily changed for different spaceing. Read the book again.You must have a newer book. Yes,it more complicated,the old book is
much simpler. I have both. Concentrate on the section for your specific crop.It will tell you how to 'gear' it for desired spaceing and population.Buy extra plates from Lincoln Ag
Products,Evergreen,Colorado. Google em.Good people.I run a 71-4x30" rows. Good,versatile planters.guys here plant onions,sugar beetsPinto beans,soys,corn and a whole raft of crops with em. I just plant corn and beans. Just have to easily switch sprockets between crops.BTW,the gearing
between the older #70 and the newer #71 is exactly the same.

 

[zslonglo]

Thank you

 

[zslonglo]

One quick question. Are there any other resource/information where I may have some tutorial handy to further help me in using the John Deere 71 Planter Flex. I have never used this. And I intend to ship it to Liberia. I believe I may be the first person using this machine. So there is nobody to seek for support when the need arise. I have two rows planter.
Thank.

 

[Brendon-KS]

The #71 manual has a lot of information to cover all the many options and configurations of the unit but for just getting started you can ignore the
majority of it. The most important pages in your situation are the seed spacing chart, the information about setting the depth, and the suggested seed
plates for different crops. Note that some plates require the use of filler plates or special hopper bottoms.

You asked about different sprockets. If the units you bought are complete they will each have four sprockets - two installed and two more extras bolted
to the inside of the chaincase. If you're unlucky and there's no extra sprockets present I would recommend getting them as it will be difficult to get
the spacings you want without having the full set of sprockets to work with. The tooth counts of the standard four sprockets are 11, 14, 20, and 22. An
additional 9-tooth sprocket is available as an extra but isn't typically needed. The spacing chart shows what combinations of driver and driven
sprockets are required to achieve the desired spacing for a given number of cells in the seed plate.

 

[zslonglo]

Thanks you, sir.
This is useful information. yes, I have two sprockets installed and two extra, with one single chain. Do I need a shorter chain or that single chain is adjustable for all the spacing requirements?
I bought some plates for Okra, and beans (soy and edible beans)
Thanks

 

[Briar Hill Brittanys]

My 70 Flexi planters were made before the 71s, the chain was tensioned by a slot adjustment in the press wheel drive housing. I don't know if 71s do. For some reason I think there's a spring tensioner in the drive housing. Like Brendon said, there were additional parts needed to plant many seeds. You'll find a manual to be a wise investment. HTH.

 

[zslonglo]

Thanks, once again for the useful information. The 71 planter has a slightly curved arrangement of the chain. But not hard to connect. I believe I have some information that will help me on this one.
Thanks, once again to all of you.