seed planter

KHodges · May 2, 2009

I picked this up new at the local hardware (NOT a big-box). Probably paid too much ($100), but what the hey--I've been looking for an old one for a while, but no luck. They used to have big wood handles like a mule-drawn plow, and the hopper was bigger.

Now I keep looking at it, wondering if I could cobble up a 3-pt hitch for it, but I'm not sure my tractor could handle it:ROF

It's all aluminum and plastic, except for the short piece of chain. Whole thing probably doesn't weigh 10 pounds. We'll see how well it works tomorrow, I'm puttin' in the garden in the morning.

DLF_IN · May 2, 2009

I have one of those planters. It has worked very well the 5 years I have had it. One hint I will pass along, if you follow the manual in setting the row opener, it may put the seed too deep.
Dave

KHodges · May 2, 2009

Thanks for the tip.

It seems a bit expensive for what it is, but it sure beats bending over to plant seeds.

If implements were sold by the pound, and priced like this, a box blade would cost about $4000.

Maybe, instead of trying to make a hitch for it, I can just ride the tractor and push the seeder alongside. Am I lazy, or what?

greenmachine2 · May 2, 2009

not to bad on the price,heres a video for make it 3pt converstion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbodjkZy-Eg&feature=related

JW

smithrngr · May 2, 2009

i bought one last year and paid the same as you did so i don't think it was too much. one problem i have is my ground is pretty rocky and a real pain to push it through one hand on the handle and the other on the hopperto hold it down and be able to move it.but all in all it still made my life easier they make a fert setup for it too.http://www.earthway.com/product/garden-products/accessories/?accessory=10

tcanthonyii · May 2, 2009

I bought one at a sale a while back and used it 2 years a go for corn. Never did get corn in last year. I need to get more seed plates for though. I'll use it this year again for corn as well. Works awesome.

T.C.

smithrngr · May 2, 2009

you can get your plates direct from earthway or from harris seeds they are in rochester ny http://www.harrisseeds.com/storefront/s-613-garden-seeders.aspx. if i remember right i think you can get them from burpee's too. might beable to get them off eby too. they arn't too bad on price at harris they are 30.00 bucks for a complete set.

Chagrin · May 2, 2009

http://www.earthway-outlet.com/ is the place to go. The optional plate set is $19 there vs. $30 at Harris Seed.

My only complaint with the seeder is that your soil needs to be pretty free of debris in order to push the furrow opener through.

KHodges · May 2, 2009

Thanks for all the replies/comments, and the video to convert it to 3-pt is great. I was sort of tongue-in-cheek about pulling it behind the tractor, I mean, the thing is so light I could throw it 100 feet, and my garden is not so far to walk across that I'd rather ride, but that setup is simplicity itself. I guess it amounts to whether you want tire marks or footprints in the garden.

For this year at any rate, it will be footprints for me, at least for seeding. I gave mine a test run yesterday, my soil is mostly pea-size clumps and powder, along with 90% decomposed leaves and such, so it moves easily.

When used behind the tractor, does the hitch weight tend to push it any further into the dirt than just using it by hand?

bontai Joe · May 4, 2009

I bought one at a yard sale over 20 years ago, and maybe used it twice. My garden soil is so rocky, that I can't get the wheels to reliably roll and place the seed correctly, that plus it is designed for someone 8" shorter than me. I'll have to check out that youtube video for the conversion to a hitch. My thinking is side by side, I could maybe plant 2 rows at a time.

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