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Grain drills

Daver

Daver

PMA Member
I am strongly considering getting a different NT drill this year and I am curious what input people here would have. I currently have a pull behind drill that has been mostly adequate, but I am thinking that I want a 3PT model. My tractors are in the 40HP range and therefore I think I would be looking at a 5' wide model, perhaps just 3' wide. While I would prefer the 5' wide model, it is not like I am planting zillions of acres here, so the 3" wide might be a better choice just to be sure that I don't end up with "too little tractor".

I think I am looking for either a Great Plains, a PH G Series or an RTP brand. Durability, ease of use/calibration, parts availability are high on the list of "needs". I don't want to have to be crawling underneath the thing all the time changing out bearings, etc.

Other threads on the subject that I have reviewed are:

IW Thread - Aug 2023

HT Thread - Apr 2021

IW Thread - May 2021

YT Link - Aug 2023 - added

Any new thoughts, suggestions, advice, etc are welcome! TIA.
 
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I have a Truax, its the flex 88 3 pt and there is 0% chance a 40 hp tractor can lift it. I have a 75 hp and its all it can handle. I would say the 6'GP will have the same issue.

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IowaBowHunter1983 said:
You are going to have to go Rtp lite (now ph) in that HP range.
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I think you are correct, do you see that as a problem though? Or would I be better off with a heavier drill, but only a 3' wide variety? Annually, I would be likely to drill 3-4 acre of beans, 3-4 acres of brassicas, a couple acres, max, of milo and 3-4 acres of rye/oats/clover mix. So only 10-15 acres per year and not all at the same time. On top of that, I would likely use it to drill switch...but only 1-3 acres at a time and not even every year...maybe every 2 to 3 years.
 
I have a RTP 5 lite version and I use it on my 47hp Kobota and its only issue is lifting it. The 3pt lifts it but the tractor is just a little on the light side and definitely feels it, but when the the drill is in the ground there is no issue to speak of.
 
Daver said:
I think you are correct, do you see that as a problem though? Or would I be better off with a heavier drill, but only a 3' wide variety? Annually, I would be likely to drill 3-4 acre of beans, 3-4 acres of brassicas, a couple acres, max, of milo and 3-4 acres of rye/oats/clover mix. So only 10-15 acres per year and not all at the same time. On top of that, I would likely use it to drill switch...but only 1-3 acres at a time and not even every year...maybe every 2 to 3 years.
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Ive used my 5 "lite" on thousands of acres with a 48 HP Deere. I've never had anything it doesn't cut into in Iowa.
 
GREAT PLAINS / LANDPRIDE!!!!! Mine has 3 seed boxes.. small, large & fluffy (natives)…. Drill is so well made & precise. Built like a tank. Will last for a very long time. DOWNSIDE: price. That’s it. Buying a good used one or finding one on auction be option to get cost down.
I paid $33k for a 10’ pull type with 3 boxes. NEW. Think guys getting quotes $10k more nowadays. If a guy got 5’ or just got 2 boxes- way less. 3 point even less yet.

I have not run the RTP, etc drills. Less $ & I will defer on that as I don’t think I’ve even seen one in person.
I have a truax, case, owned 3 Deere drills. Have a GT drill, TYE & a couple others still. (Maybe have & drills for this or that task & back ups) & out of anything I’ve ever run SO FAR, Great Plains / land pride by a good bit.
 
I have a great plains 606NT I purchased last year and love it, but I think you may need 50+ hp to be safe..I pulled it with a 60 hp and it did mostly fine .They are definitely heavy and pushed my tractor slightly if I was going down a steep grade between plots.
 
IowaBowHunter1983 said:
Ive used my 5 "lite" on thousands of acres with a 48 HP Deere. I've never had anything it doesn't cut into in Iowa.
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Is that a Genesis G5? I find where one of those weights 1825 pounds. I would be pretty confident that my 40hp would handle that as the rear PTO rating that I find is 2755 pounds. So even with the drill loaded with seed, I would think that I would have enough beef there to operate it well.
 
Daver said:
Is that a Genesis G5? I find where one of those weights 1825 pounds. I would be pretty confident that my 40hp would handle that as the rear PTO rating that I find is 2755 pounds. So even with the drill loaded with seed, I would think that I would have enough beef there to operate it well.
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Yes sir
 

Good video. Talks about how the main concern when selecting a drill is weight capacity of tractor. Also talks about how weight distribution of drill matters, the Great Plains has more weight at the back of the drill.
 
Daver said:
Is that a Genesis G5? I find where one of those weights 1825 pounds. I would be pretty confident that my 40hp would handle that as the rear PTO rating that I find is 2755 pounds. So even with the drill loaded with seed, I would think that I would have enough beef there to operate it well.
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The 3 pt hydraulics are capable of lifting it no problem. Bigger issue is it might pull the front end of the tractor off the ground if using a compact. @IowaBowHunter1983 - Have any issues with this?

Personally, I would not want a 5' Light even with our 50 HP (5000# w/ FEL) compact tractor. Front steering gets pretty squirrely with a weighted disc (touch lighter). Granted I have a few hills..

I think I would lean toward the 3' model personally..
 
Nrharris said:
Daver, out of curiosity what are you using currently that you are wanting to upgrade from?
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I have a Truax Flex-2, pull behind. It is very SOLID and works, but needs some maintenance to some wear parts for it to work perfectly. I have had trouble getting some seed covered, but I think the issue is fairly easily fixable.

As I near the end of my working career and anticipate some form of retirement in the next 3'ish years...I am consciously purposing to buy my "forever" "fill in the blank" while I still have income to make it happen. :) If I am relegated to beans and rice on a fixed income in the future, I want to be sure I have whatever toy or tool that I want before I can't afford it. :) Kidding, not kidding. :)
 
Bassattackr said:
The 3 pt hydraulics are capable of lifting it no problem. Bigger issue is it might pull the front end of the tractor off the ground if using a compact. @IowaBowHunter1983 - Have any issues with this?

Personally, I would not want a 5' Light even with our 50 HP (5000# w/ FEL) compact tractor. Front steering gets pretty squirrely with a weighted disc (touch lighter). Granted I have a few hills..

I think I would lean toward the 3' model personally..
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I have a FEL...could I not augment that weight via carrying something in the bucket too...if I have "lift off" problems?
 
westwind said:

Good video. Talks about how the main concern when selecting a drill is weight capacity of tractor. Also talks about how weight distribution of drill matters, the Great Plains has more weight at the back of the drill.
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I have watched that video, a couple of times actually, and I am under the impression that the primary concerns stated relative to the Genesis drills have since been solved via engineering improvements, under the PH brand name, FWIW.
 
Daver said:
I have a FEL...could I not augment that weight via carrying something in the bucket too...if I have "lift off" problems?
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You could definitely weight the front. I’ve done this before in a pinch. Your HP or Hydraulics won’t be a limiting factor.
 
Bassattackr said:
The 3 pt hydraulics are capable of lifting it no problem. Bigger issue is it might pull the front end of the tractor off the ground if using a compact. @IowaBowHunter1983 - Have any issues with this?

Personally, I would not want a 5' Light even with our 50 HP (5000# w/ FEL) compact tractor. Front steering gets pretty squirrely with a weighted disc (touch lighter). Granted I have a few hills..

I think I would lean toward the 3' model personally..
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No but def need a bucket on.
 
I have Genesis 3 running it on a L4060 Kubota (40HP) works great , 3 years in no problems . It's a easy unit to use . Have had no issues I did not go with a 5 for a few reason I have some Steep Hills to climb so that was a concern . I also didn't want to max my tractor out and beat it to death . I am only doing about 7-8 acres a year so RTP advised me to get the smaller unit and save the 8K . Takes a bit more time but I am not doing huge area's . Then when I look at time I use to use preparing ground by tilling , now I can spray , plant everything in a day .

Planted , beans , alfalfa , clover , double tree mix , switchgrass and brassicas haven't had a fail yet , trying corn this year on 15 inch rows .. It's been a game changer..
 
Daver said:
I have a Truax Flex-2, pull behind. It is very SOLID and works, but needs some maintenance to some wear parts for it to work perfectly. I have had trouble getting some seed covered, but I think the issue is fairly easily fixable.

As I near the end of my working career and anticipate some form of retirement in the next 3'ish years...I am consciously purposing to buy my "forever" "fill in the blank" while I still have income to make it happen. :) If I am relegated to beans and rice on a fixed income in the future, I want to be sure I have whatever toy or tool that I want before I can't afford it. :) Kidding, not kidding. :)
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Jbohn said:
I have Genesis 3 running it on a L4060 Kubota (40HP) works great , 3 years in no problems . It's a easy unit to use . Have had no issues I did not go with a 5 for a few reason I have some Steep Hills to climb so that was a concern . I also didn't want to max my tractor out and beat it to death . I am only doing about 7-8 acres a year so RTP advised me to get the smaller unit and save the 8K . Takes a bit more time but I am not doing huge area's . Then when I look at time I use to use preparing ground by tilling , now I can spray , plant everything in a day .

Planted , beans , alfalfa , clover , double tree mix , switchgrass and brassicas haven't had a fail yet , trying corn this year on 15 inch rows .. It's been a game changer..
Daver said:
I have a Truax Flex-2, pull behind. It is very SOLID and works, but needs some maintenance to some wear parts for it to work perfectly. I have had trouble getting some seed covered, but I think the issue is fairly easily fixable.

As I near the end of my working career and anticipate some form of retirement in the next 3'ish years...I am consciously purposing to buy my "forever" "fill in the blank" while I still have income to make it happen. :) If I am relegated to beans and rice on a fixed income in the future, I want to be sure I have whatever toy or tool that I want before I can't afford it. :) Kidding, not kidding. :)
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Hold off on the drill this year. Buy some HP this year. Do not need to break the bank to do so. Constantly see good 75 to 100 hp tractors ( old yes but good) on fb for very reasonable $. Your land asset is most likely one of your most valuable. Spend a little $ and protect your assesset and get a tractor capable of doing so. Then next year find a drill made to last.
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