Planter model to replace my 494a

[littlefarmer]

I farm 160 acres, have been using my JD 494a planter since Dad bought it new and 1967 for corn and beans. It's been working great, but now parts and everything are getting hard to get. Also with doing lesser tillage then in the old days, need a planter that can handle crop residue better then the 494. Can anyone advise on what are good JD planter models that I should look at to replace the old 494? I use an IHC M to pull it so it would have to be 4 rows. Would like to stick with JD, because my 494 always worked great. And it seems like there are more JD used planters out there then any other brand. Thanks for any advice!

 

[NFO520]

JD 7000 4 row your M will pull it pretty well

 

[pathand13]

You get a 7000 and you think you died and went to heaven. you do need 2-way hydraulics. And you really want to get fancy get rid of that M and get a 3020 with dual hydraulics. That way you can run the markers seperate from the planter. You know how mad you get when the wrong marker comes down and you have to go back around to get the other chain tripped *&^($%. I put away my 495A 2 years ago for it got to be more a pain to find the right plates and I got bags of seed without plate numbers. Look aroud and you can find bean meters to fit instead of cups. I"m in hog heaven. I"m even doing a little custom work

 

[JMS/.MN]

I would question if you NEED two-way hyd. It can certainly be raised/lowered with a one-way, and the markers will alternate by raising/lowering. I"ve always had multiple SCVs available, and run the markers separate, but I"d check the book about the need for two-way.

 

[JMS/.MN]

I would question if you NEED two-way hyd. It can certainly be raised/lowered with a one-way, and the markers will alternate by raising/lowering. I"ve always had multiple SCVs available, and run the markers separate, but I"d check the book about the need for two-way.

 

[PBrowning]

You obviously haven't done much farm work with an IHC Model "M" tractor. While I tend to favor Green, a Farmal M is a gem of a tractor! And it appears just the right size for the acreage he is farming. (PatB)

 

[pathand13]

I have a super M under my new idea mounted picker that does about 30 acres of ear corn to fill the crib and I have a M I use to rake and plow with.
Yes you are all right you dont need 2- way hydraulics and the marker can be set to go up and down off the lift cylinder. But once you leave that behind you dont go back.
I did have to switch back to the 3010 with single hyd. and it sucks

 

[pathand13]

No mater I said 7000 you cant bet. You can still get parts new and used reasonable, there are a lot of them out there. Shoupe has heavey duty down preasure springs and no-til colters which makes it a good planter in that risidue. I just picked up 7000 6-30 and set it up that way with used parts and Kinze bean meters for $5000. It also includes JD corn meters.
PB things are not as obvious as you think.

 

[JD Seller]

A John Deere 7000 DOES NOT need a two way lift cylinder to work. You kick them to float to lower them if you power them down and don't have enough weight on the frame you will just pickup the wheels and have a skip. I have set several of them up on "M" Farmals using the factory one way valve. The markers are plumbed to the lift side only and the weight of the markers makes them go down and alternate.