Anyone have experience with the Firminator G3?

Tree Spud

5 year old buck +
Looking to upgrade to grain drill similar to the Firmanator G3. I like it's seed size diversity, disk/cultipacker combo, and simplicity to use.

Would appreciate feedback on other's experience with this unit. Also interested in other similar pieces of equipment.
 
I have not used this model but I do have a Woods Seeder which has some comparable features. The Woods Seeder has a large spiked roller, which also acts as the drive “wheel”, in addition to the disk and cultipacker, where as this Firminator has a disk cultipacker. I would suspect, but only conjecture since I have not used the firminator, that the spiked roller would do a better job of breaking up large dirt clods, especially if used on gumbo soils, than wood this Firminator. I did not see where the Firminator offered the ability to use a second seed box simultaneously. Other than that, they are very similar. It is not a no till drill, but these items work very well for food plotting, and perform some functions that a drill can not. They are great time savers. Typically, I spray a month before planting - and go plant then with a single pass. My 84” model will plant an acre in 20 minutes. The video they show is a little deceiving, since they are using it on previously tilled ground for the most part.
 
X2 on what SwampCat said, I have a Woods 84 also and love but no experience with the Firminator
 
I’d for sure get the second small seed box option if they offer it. If not, a Woods or Land Pride APS might be a better decision.. Figure it’s a matter of time before RTP offers one in their Groundbreaker series. Only offer the small box on their drills currently.

Small box great for legumes, brassicas, switch, Egyptian wheat etc..
 
While I dont own one, I think the Woods is a significantly better choice than the RTP. The Woods has the spiked roller in addition to the disc and the cultipacker and comes with 2 seed boxes. A third can be added.
 
While I dont own one, I think the Woods is a significantly better choice than the RTP. The Woods has the spiked roller in addition to the disc and the cultipacker and comes with 2 seed boxes. A third can be added.

Agree on the second seed box advantage on the woods but the RTP has a better "Ag grade" cultipacker. Tradeoff perhaps.. I bet they offer a small seed box add on for the RTP eventually..

I'd be curious on the tradeoffs of the front spiked rollers vs disc. Seems the roller would be better on more of a prepped/disced seed bed. Disc better for those trying for a true single pass.. ?? I know on the Land Pride APS you can still adjust the front spike roller angle for a little more disturbance.

FYI - The G3 is the heaviest of all discussed above. Something to consider if you have a compact tractor.
 
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Agree on the second seed box advantage on the woods but the RTP has a better "Ag grade" cultipacker. Tradeoff perhaps.. I bet they offer a small seed box add on for the RTP eventually..

I'd be curious on the tradeoffs of the front spiked rollers vs disc. Seems the roller would be better on more of a prepped/disced seed bed. Disc better for those trying for a true single pass.. ?? I know on the Land Pride APS you can still adjust the front spike roller angle for a little more disturbance.

FYI - The G3 is the heaviest of all discussed above. Something to consider if you have a compact tractor.

The woods has the disc, then the spiked roller, then the cultipacker. I have spoken to Swampcat and David Hemley and they both love theirs. Been meaning to catch up with David and watch his work but we are a couple of hours apart and both of us stay busy. Wonder if he wants to plant some plots over here?
 
I have used AG grade cultipackers before, and I believe the Woods Seeder does a better job than a stand alone 1000 lb AG cultipacker - for a couple or reasons. First, the spiked roller rolls the dirt clods first, busting up the clods and somewhat flattening the soil, then the much lighter weight cultipacker goes over. The 84” Woods with seed probably weighs around 1500 lbs with seed, with most of the weight on the spiked roller. The Woods does a much better job of breaking up the gumbo dirt clods in my fields than my old 900 lb dedicated cultipacker. The spiked roller lays down a pretty decent seed bed, the small seed falls on the seed bed, and then it is cultipacked. I would be afraid with the G3 firminator that the dirt clods would be large with much air space around them , and the small seed is dropped on those rough clods, falling down between them, maybe inches deep, and then cultipacked. The Woods with the spiked roller is almost like cultipacking before seeding, and then cultipacking again after seeding.
 
I have used AG grade cultipackers before, and I believe the Woods Seeder does a better job than a stand alone 1000 lb AG cultipacker - for a couple or reasons. First, the spiked roller rolls the dirt clods first, busting up the clods and somewhat flattening the soil, then the much lighter weight cultipacker goes over. The 84” Woods with seed probably weighs around 1500 lbs with seed, with most of the weight on the spiked roller. The Woods does a much better job of breaking up the gumbo dirt clods in my fields than my old 900 lb dedicated cultipacker. The spiked roller lays down a pretty decent seed bed, the small seed falls on the seed bed, and then it is cultipacked. I would be afraid with the G3 firminator that the dirt clods would be large with much air space around them , and the small seed is dropped on those rough clods, falling down between them, maybe inches deep, and then cultipacked. The Woods with the spiked roller is almost like cultipacking before seeding, and then cultipacking again after seeding.


Your 84” Woods with seed weighs over 2600lbs. It’s a heavy beast!
 
It is about all my 65 hp Jd wants

Many fail to realize that despite their tractor having the 3 point lift capacity, there is no way they can safely pick up and move these implements around. Especially those with a compact tractor. They simply don't have the weight to offset the heavy object they're trying to pick up and move around.. Our 50 HP LS has the "lift capacity" but I'd be kidding myself if I thought I could use a 2800 lb 3 point implement safely and/or effectively.

SC - Your utility tractor is obviously within it's means for that implement. Sweet toy!
 
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Many fail to realize that despite their tractor having the 3 point lift capacity, there is no way they can safely pick up and move these implements around. Especially those with a compact tractor. They simply don't have the weight to offset the heavy object they're trying to pick up and move around.. Our 50 HP LS has the "lift capacity" but I'd be kidding myself if I thought I could use a 2800 lb 3 point implement safely and/or effectively.

SC - Your utility tractor is obviously within it's means for that implement. Sweet toy!
That is main reason why I got my Woods Seeder. A fellow with a smaller tractor had bought it and it was just too much for his tractor and I got it at a bargain. Just because your lift arm rated capacity is 3000 lbs, does not mean it will lift a 2500 lb implement if it sticks six feet back behind the lift arms. I have a 950 lb three pt, 10” PTO pump that is 10 ft long with the bulk of the wt at the far end. All my tractor wants to handle.
 
That is main reason why I got my Woods Seeder. A fellow with a smaller tractor had bought it and it was just too much for his tractor and I got it at a bargain. Just because your lift arm rated capacity is 3000 lbs, does not mean it will lift a 2500 lb implement if it sticks six feet back behind the lift arms. I have a 950 lb three pt, 10” PTO pump that is 10 ft long with the bulk of the wt at the far end. All my tractor wants to handle.

Nice find! Happens all the time..

Big hat, no (not enough) cattle.. ?? :emoji_grin:
 
Guys, thanks for all the input, good stuff. Rec'd a quote from the Firminator within 48 hours, waiting over a week for a quote for the Woods seeder.

The point on the lift capacity of a 3 pt is important. On my Kubota MX5800 Om states ...
At lift Point 2870 lbs.
24" Behind 2310 lbs.

i need to investigate this.
 
TS - FWIW, Your Kubota is the exact same weight as our 50 HP LS (3800 lbs). The 6' G3 is around 1500 lbs (empty) if I recall correctly.. ??
 
Guys, thanks for all the input, good stuff. Rec'd a quote from the Firminator within 48 hours, waiting over a week for a quote for the Woods seeder.

The point on the lift capacity of a 3 pt is important. On my Kubota MX5800 Om states ...
At lift Point 2870 lbs.
24" Behind 2310 lbs.

i need to investigate this.

I would get the 72” model then. If you look on tractor house, you can usually find someone close that has the unit you want. Another place to look is machinery Pete but they seem to always have the same implements.
 
I would get the 72” model then. If you look on tractor house, you can usually find someone close that has the unit you want. Another place to look is machinery Pete but they seem to always have the same implements.

Thanks! That was my plan to go with a 72" model.
 
I would get the 72” model then. If you look on tractor house, you can usually find someone close that has the unit you want. Another place to look is machinery Pete but they seem to always have the same implements.
Thanks! That was my plan to go with a 72" model.

It may still be a load but as long as you have a FEL I think you will be fine.
 
I actually looked into the Firmiseeder option from them since we already have a good disc. Quoted $8k + shipping for 72" 3 point (Told weight of 1500 lbs). Basically no savings over just getting the G3, Groundbreaker, etc with the disc. May still end up getting the stand alone packer from them, was much more reasonable..
 
I have not used this model but I do have a Woods Seeder which has some comparable features. The Woods Seeder has a large spiked roller, which also acts as the drive “wheel”, in addition to the disk and cultipacker, where as this Firminator has a disk cultipacker. I would suspect, but only conjecture since I have not used the firminator, that the spiked roller would do a better job of breaking up large dirt clods, especially if used on gumbo soils, than wood this Firminator. I did not see where the Firminator offered the ability to use a second seed box simultaneously. Other than that, they are very similar. It is not a no till drill, but these items work very well for food plotting, and perform some functions that a drill can not. They are great time savers. Typically, I spray a month before planting - and go plant then with a single pass. My 84” model will plant an acre in 20 minutes. The video they show is a little deceiving, since they are using it on previously tilled ground for the most part.


Which Woods do you have?
 
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