606NT drill and JD 4120

[treeguy]

Hello,

My county rents out a Great Plains 606nt end wheel drill. They say they require 40hp tractor. The JD 4120 is 43 hp. Does anyone with experience with this drill think this would be enough power?

Also, I've only ever broadcasted seed for my food plots. With broadcast I tried to get the seed down just before a rain. If I have to reserve the drill for a day with no knowledge of rain ahead of time, is it still worth it? I think the seed may be a bit more forgiving being drilled, but I wasn't sure.

Thanks for your help

 

[SwampCat]

Is the rental for only one day? Would be bad if it was a severe weather day. But plantings with drills will not be as dependent on timing with rain as will broadcasting. But even drills often can not overcome severe drought. I have planted with drills during dry hot weather and there was still enough soil moisture to germinate the seed, only for the young seedlings to burn up immediately. At the same time, top sown wheat in an adjacent field did not germinate until a month later when rains came and did great. Not sure any method is fool proof - but a drill does reduce the risk

 

[swat1018]

Being that it's 4x4, I think you will be fine. I don't think you'd be ok with the 3pt. version.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I dont think you'd have any issue pulling the pull type unless you have some pretty significant hills. I'm flat but my kubota 3560 can pull a land pride 3p600 fine which has same # of rows but no coulters and is a 3pt model.

If you do some searching you'll find a handful of people advising theyd rather plant into dust than mud. Nice thing about a drill is you can get seed covered so it can be protected and wait for the right moisture conditions to germinate.

 

[Diesel5610]

I own one of those drills and you will be fine unless you have significant hills or sloping plots, then just plant downhill. Drilling the seed gives you a little wider window but you still need moisture. The drill gives you the benefit of using moisture from any rain before you plant as the soil will hold that moisture for a period of time and the drill drops the seed into that dirt with moisture. I used to rent a drill and always stressed about the weather cooperating when I was scheduled to have the drill.

 

[treeguy]

Is the rental for only one day? Would be bad if it was a severe weather day. But plantings with drills will not be as dependent on timing with rain as will broadcasting. But even drills often can not overcome severe drought. I have planted with drills during dry hot weather and there was still enough soil moisture to germinate the seed, only for the young seedlings to burn up immediately. At the same time, top sown wheat in an adjacent field did not germinate until a month later when rains came and did great. Not sure any method is fool proof - but a drill does reduce the risk

Yes you rent it for the day. I'm not sure how busy they are at the end of August though. If they're not completely booked , maybe I could have some flexibility I'll have to inquire and see.

I dont think you'd have any issue pulling the pull type unless you have some pretty significant hills. I'm flat but my kubota 3560 can pull a land pride 3p600 fine which has same # of rows but no coulters and is a 3pt model.

If you do some searching you'll find a handful of people advising theyd rather plant into dust than mud. Nice thing about a drill is you can get seed covered so it can be protected and wait for the right moisture conditions to germinate.

My plots are completely flat, but I do have an upper plot I'd have to pull the drill up a decent hill, but its a gravel road. When you mention maybe not having enough power on a hill, I assume that's just when its actually drilling not just towing it right?

 

[swat1018]

Yes you rent it for the day. I'm not sure how busy they are at the end of August though. If they're not completely booked , maybe I could have some flexibility I'll have to inquire and see.

My plots are completely flat, but I do have an upper plot I'd have to pull the drill up a decent hill, but its a gravel road. When you mention maybe not having enough power on a hill, I assume that's just when its actually drilling not just towing it right?

You'll be fine.

 

[Brokenbear]

Your tractor is fine ..just remember speed kills so take it easy ..You might want to worry more about what truck you are going to pull that big wide heavy rascal with ..here in Missouri there are lots of hills n roads n curves with absolutely no shoulders to dive to ...so plan your route from rental to your farm wisely ..
Bear

 

[Bill]

When guys say depending on hills it's the hills your actually drilling into. Just pulling up a hill with the box lifted is no problem. At my NRCS office you get the drill on or about the day you have it reserved depending on how the weather treated the last guy. It's worth a shot..