Woods FPS60

[Wesball12]

Need Help. I just bought a used Woods FPS60 off the internet and it’s a little too heavy for my JD 3038. I didn’t realize how heavy it would be. The seeder weighs 1260 lbs and my tractor Is rated for 1388 lbs. The cultipacker weighs about 300 lbs and sits several feet off the hitch.

This is where I need help.... I’m thinking about swapping the steel packer wheels out with something lighter. Possibly line the axle up with tires or figure out a way to add a 12 inch culvert. The steel packers are great but are putting way too much strain on my tractor.

ANY IDEAS??

 

[roymunson]

I'm sure you could rig something up, but i'd be hard pressed to give up that weight. How rough is the tractor? Is swapping up to a larger size out of the question?

 

[Wesball12]

Buying a new tractor just to use the steel packers is out of the question. It only picks the seeder halfway up without seed in it.

 

[SwampCat]

I thought they had plastic packer wheels available. Might check. Those units are heavy. I have a PS84 - and it is all my 65 hp JD wants. I bought it used from a guy with a smaller tractor that could not handle the weight.

 

[Wesball12]

That’s what I was thinking. I’ve looked all over for some type of lighter version packer wheel

 

[Bassattackr]

I'm sure you could rig something up, but i'd be hard pressed to give up that weight.

Agree, you'll give up the effectiveness the lighter you go.

 

[sagittarius]

Depending on how far you need to travel from storage to field .... could you detach cultipacker and rig it to tow/roll it behind the planter? Thus cultipack without having weight on 3pt.

 

[ACCMan]

Are the packer wheels at Agri Supply lighter?

 

[yoderjac]

Need Help. I just bought a used Woods FPS60 off the internet and it’s a little too heavy for my JD 3038. I didn’t realize how heavy it would be. The seeder weighs 1260 lbs and my tractor Is rated for 1388 lbs. The cultipacker weighs about 300 lbs and sits several feet off the hitch.

This is where I need help.... I’m thinking about swapping the steel packer wheels out with something lighter. Possibly line the axle up with tires or figure out a way to add a 12 inch culvert. The steel packers are great but are putting way too much strain on my tractor.

ANY IDEAS??

Personally, I'd sell it or buy a bigger tractor. The spec on your tractor 3pt hitch is measured at a distance (24" I think) that is far less than the center of gravity of your seeder. Putting on lighter cultipacker wheels my help a little. Removing the quick hitch will also move the center of gravity a bit further forward. I'm not familiar with the woods but I had a similar issue with my Kasco when I borrowed a smaller tractor when mine was in the shop. You may also need to add front weights if you don't have a FEL or the front wheels may leave the ground enough for you to lose steering when going up a grade. It is possible that putting on lighter cultipacker wheels could change the balance forward and they may not do a good job.

I can't say I'm a fan of the all-in-one seeders with discs up front. I don't know what they cost compared to a no-till drill, but I find a used no-till a better bet. Regardless of that, if the stars line up right, you may get it to work, but at the end of the day, I think you will struggle with that combination of tractor and seeder.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[mikmaze]

how about adding a hydraulic lift, like they have on transport disc? cylinders push down tires so it will roll without having to lift it, you lose no weight.

 

[SwampCat]

I tend to agree you might be better off selling the seeder. That is exactly how I got mine - someone bought one too large for their tractor and turned around and sold it to me. Now, that being said - if you do decide to keep it, the weight of the cultipacker is what really helps press the small seed, even the ground, and smooth the surface. Also, dont let someone discourage you about how well this unit operates - especially someone who has never used this model. I plant about 45 acres of food plots a year with it and am very pleased with its performance. I got mine 84” model for $6500 - used one time. I think that would be a real stretch to find a GOOD used no-till for that price. No, it is not a no-till drill - but it is a great food plotters tool and it doesnt cost $18,000

 

[yoderjac]

how about adding a hydraulic lift, like they have on transport disc? cylinders push down tires so it will roll without having to lift it, you lose no weight.

I put a hydraulic top-link on for my Kasco no-till versadrill with a small section of chain to connect it to the drill. I did not have a problem lifting it with my DK45, but the cultipacker would hang so close to the ground that it would hit when I made turns transporting it. If I shortened the top link to give me more transport clearance, it would not cover the seed. I now shorten the hydraulic toplink to its shortest position for transport. When I drop the drill to plant, I hit the detent control in the tractor to extend it until there is slack in the chain. This lets the drill "float" like a tow-behind drill. I bought my Kasco used and only paid $3K for it. I had to do a lot of jury-rigging but it works. I would love a big-boy drill but I can't justify a ~$20K ballpark cost for food plots.

I don't think a hydraulic top-link will necessarily help with the weight issue.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Wesball12]

Yeah I didn’t notice the low weight capacity when buying the tractor. My FPS60 is listed for sale and I’m going down to a 48” when it does. I’m just trying to get most of my money out of it (bought it online and shipped halfway across the country). I’m just looking for a quick fix until then. I also use my 3 row no till JD planter when needed.

 

[buckdeer1]

How much you asking?I have a bigger tractor now and the Kasco versa drill isn't big enough.I have trouble with it covering seed and keeping chain on.I think they would be better dragging something to cover seed and hooking chain to drive wheel of some kind.I think I will broadcast m RW oats so I can work on it later

 

[Wesball12]

How much you asking?I have a bigger tractor now and the Kasco versa drill isn't big enough.I have trouble with it covering seed and keeping chain on.I think they would be better dragging something to cover seed and hooking chain to drive wheel of some kind.I think I will broadcast m RW oats so I can work on it later

$6200

 

[jocahill]

A couple items that might be of use. I have a PSS 72, very heavy with the cast cultipacker on back. I have it on a 4066R which does okay with it, but I don't get far off the ground for loading, etc. A couple of options to consider: Woods does make a nylon cultipacker option, but not sure I'd give up that weight. Might want to research weight with Woods. They also make a wheel kit for the seeder to turn it into a hitch pull implement. I like the 3pt, but depending on how tight your space is, this may be an option. Another option would be to remove the cast cultipacker and see if Woods would sell you their cultipacker frame and move your existing cast wheels to that frame. Not sure of the fit there. This means one more pass though which is a time give up. I've also seen some posts on the hydraulic top link. Some say it's a game changer in terms of getting disc bite, etc. and that would have the impact of slightly tipping the weight forward. Not sure this will be enough, but may help not only carry, but use as well. I'd like to learn a lot more about how people are adjusting the top link and how people are getting results. My results have been mixed, but I'm also converting land that has been in brome grass for 20-30 years which has its own unique challenges. I had a farmer pull his big equipment through it this year to break it up, which did wonders for the seed bed and it looks like results are better, but it seems like every time I go out with it a learn something new. Unfortunately, errors have a full year impact which is tough to wait thru .....

 

[Wesball12]

Yeah I just found out that they made nylon packers earlier today. Priced at $1200. They have pressure springs that help. I just rigged a black culvert on the back. It’s actually working pretty good. I’ll probably end up with the nylon packers.

 

[davidhelmly]

Yeah I just found out that they made nylon packers earlier today. Priced at $1200. They have pressure springs that help. I just rigged a black culvert on the back. It’s actually working pretty good. I’ll probably end up with the nylon packers.

I think you will love your Woods, I've got an 84" like SwampCat and absolutely love it. Don't pay a lot of attention to people talking them down because 95% of those people have never used one.