Which Drill are you buying?

[Oleo]

I’m looking to buy a no till drill. Which of these would you buy at these price points? Consider which is best and if it’s worth the extra money.

New PH Outdoors G5 for $15,700

New Genesis 5 (with sealed wheel bearings) for $13,500

Used 2022 Great Plains 3P606NT for $18,500

New Land Pride 3P606NT for $19,700

I’ll be using a Kubota M6040 to pull it. I will need to put the tractor and drill on a trailer occasionally if that influences your thoughts.

 

[356]

The fact you will be trailering influenced the decision. I know several using the PH and Genesis, and they are solid drills for "guys like us." The 3P606NTs are great drills, but heavier, less maneuverable. Don't inherit someone else's mistakes (vis-a-vis, buy new).

 

[Oleo]

The fact you will be trailering influenced the decision. I know several using the PH and Genesis, and they are solid drills for "guys like us." The 3P606NTs are great drills, but heavier, less maneuverable. Don't inherit someone else's mistakes (vis-a-vis, buy new).

Thanks for the reply. Does anyone know any important differences between the PH and the Genesis now that the Genesis has the sealed bearings?

 

[RGrizzzz]

Thanks for the reply. Does anyone know any important differences between the PH and the Genesis now that the Genesis has the sealed bearings?

From Paul Hollis (PH)

A few of the major differences include- sealed bearings on the packing wheels. No grease needed. The bearing can be replaced by removing six bolts in the hub. The row hangers or element strips are individually bolted on and can be removed and replaced by loosening four bolts. No need to removed a rod that connects all of them. A gear box that is sealed and filled with oil, not grease so it does not fog up in warm weather. A steel drive wheel on all units. Coulters discs are easier to remove and replace. Stronger d-shackles. Stronger row hanger elements that are gusseted. The d-shackle mounting is further back so easier to access. There is a small seed box and native seed box available for all PH Outdoors machines. The seed hopper on the PH Outdoors machines is taller and straighter so the seed falls better and doesn’t bridge and bin dividers are available for the machines. Weights kits are available for each machine if needed in tough soil conditions. Acre counters are calibrated from the factory. The seed trays are easier to remove and replace. The sight glass in the hopper is larger and provides more light. In our efforts to be constantly making the machines better the 2025 G-Series will have metal hopper clasps instead of the rubber ones and a new plastic seed cover plate will be available. I hope that this helps. Its all that I can think of from a hotel room in San Diego at 5:00 in the morning.

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[Buckdeer#1]

I just spent alot of time and dollars replacing parts on a 705NT but I think I have it where it will work ok.Should have went and looked at it before I bought it.I didn't figure that a nice amish farmer would take the only picture that wouldn't show anything and say only 1 coulter needed replaced.I think main issue with this one was they pulled with horses and probably never raised it.I did see a 9ft on purple wave today that might be a good deal.

 

[Oleo]

Thanks for the list. It seemed like the packing wheels were a pretty big problem, so I was glad to see that they fixed that. I guess I’m trying to decide if the list of other updates is worth $2k.

 

[swat1018]

The Great Plains (or land pride) row units have a million times the acres on them as all of the others together. I probably plant 15 acres of plots a year with a GP 3P606NT. I've been doing that with the same drill for 14 years. I've yet to have to replace a bearing, coulter, opener, etc. A production ag farmer puts more acres on a drill in one season than the average food plotter will ever put on the same row units. I don't think you can compare the longevity of any of the deer drills to a GP. They will never log the acres. If you want to buy a cheaper drill, I definitely understand that, but don't for a minute believe sealed bearings and these other selling points make these drills more likely to outlast a GP.

 

[bigboreblr]

How many acres, what soil, food plot varieties you want?

New place, i"d broadcast and run discs for the 1st time. See what's in there.

Genesis would be ok if your not doing a ton of acres.

I'm not a fancy plot guy, grains some greens sone clover.


Definitely 2 seed boxes for me. I'd be happy as a clam with a basic seeder, like the woods ones. Often can find a used one for 3 or 4 grand.

Probably buy a tractor again in a few years. Just a little bx and a small woods seeder or plot master.

 

[Brian662]

The Great Plains (or land pride) row units have a million times the acres on them as all of the others together. I probably plant 15 acres of plots a year with a GP 3P606NT. I've been doing that with the same drill for 14 years. I've yet to have to replace a bearing, coulter, opener, etc. A production ag farmer puts more acres on a drill in one season than the average food plotter will ever put on the same row units. I don't think you can compare the longevity of any of the deer drills to a GP. They will never log the acres. If you want to buy a cheaper drill, I definitely understand that, but don't for a minute believe sealed bearings and these other selling points make these drills more likely to outlast a GP.

 

[Oleo]

I’ll be planting into some clay soils and some rocky stuff occasionally.

I’m often planting food plots in places that used to be fescue or pasture grass, so I’m killing the grass and planting into it. I haven’t had good luck with disking, and I haven’t had good luck with a Kasco vari-slice seeder that I picked up for free with a property I purchased. Neither of those options seem to get good soil contact with the size of implements I’ve been using.

Thanks for the comment on the longevity of the GP drills. I’ll certainly take that into account.

 

[TreeDaddy]

View attachment 92552

^^^^^ applies to all posts by SWAT,Foggy,and Wild Thing( where did he go?) re: drills

bill

 

[356]

As a member with a Tar River drill, IMO it is adequate for the habitat “farmer,” but I’d rather have a Genesis or PH. At the time, the TR was what I could afford, and it is working great for what I need.
IIRC, weight was a factor in the discussion, and the difference is not as much as I thought. With this information, the GP wins :-)

 

[swat1018]

As a member with a Tar River drill, IMO it is adequate for the habitat “farmer,” but I’d rather have a Genesis or PH. At the time, the TR was what I could afford, and it is working great for what I need.
IIRC, weight was a factor in the discussion, and the difference is not as much as I thought. With this information, the GP wins :-)
View attachment 92555

It's heavy, and some times not heavy enough. Most of the other drills didn't exist in 2012 when I bought mine, or I may have gone a cheaper route. But, my farm was 6 hours from the house and I was working, so my time was valuable.

 

[Oleo]

In my initial research, I had overlooked the Stealth Pro models from Great Plains. I was leaning away from the 3P606NT because it was a bit more expensive and might be getting big to haul around on a trailer. Seems like the Stealth Pro 5 with coulters might be a good option for me.

Seems like there is a lot of information about the 606NT out there. Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this Stealth Pro 5?

 

[Foggy47]

The Land Pride and Great Plains no-till 3 Point models will require a bigger tractor than the minimum till models offered by these same companies. I.E. Models 3P500 and 3P600 drills by LP and GP.

Many of us on this board proved to ourselves that these fine drills are suitable for no till work on lighter soils. Most of the seeds we are planting for food plots do not need to be buried deeper than an inch or so.....and many of the seeds that go in the small seed box are only being drilled 1/8" to 1/4" deep. These drills can be operated off a decent 30 HP tractor, they are cheaper, and worth consideration by food plotters.

The biggest thing many of us have learned....is that the "no till" Coulter found on many drills is not needed. Some operators are removing the no till coulters, as they do not provide any benefit in most situations. (may not be true in corn stubble, etc). I've not yet found a need for no till coulters. We have a thread here with LOTS of discussion on this issue. I'd rather own my minimum till drill than a no till drill (but I have light / sandy soils.....and my statement may not be true for all locations). Do your due diligence and find out about your area and soil type.

I'm not going to rehash another thread on this topic. Do a search and read our experiences with this great product.

 

[Oleo]

Thanks for the reply.

The root of my question was “which is the best bang for the buck” rather than “which is the best”. I had seen some commentary on that, but the price points in other threads weren’t consistent, so I was hoping to get a sense of what people would choose at the specific prices I had access to.

I ended up buying the Great Plains 3 point Stealth Pro 5 which wasn’t on my original poll because I hadn’t come across it yet. I was able to buy a new one (last year model) for $16,000, which seemed like a good price to me.

 

[RGrizzzz]

Thanks for the reply.

The root of my question was “which is the best bang for the buck” rather than “which is the best”. I had seen some commentary on that, but the price points in other threads weren’t consistent, so I was hoping to get a sense of what people would choose at the specific prices I had access to.

I ended up buying the Great Plains 3 point Stealth Pro 5 which wasn’t on my original poll because I hadn’t come across it yet. I was able to buy a new one (last year model) for $16,000, which seemed like a good price to me.

Congrats. Now let's see some food plot pics!

 

[Foggy47]

Congrats. Now let's see some food plot pics!

I'd like to see a pic of your drill. It may be the same drill I have? They have done a good job of re-branding their product to sell through more conventional food plot / habitat outlets. I love my 3P-500 GP drill. I's a minimum till drill...used in no-till fashion. Works perfect for me. Never going back to the conventional "old ways".

 

[Oleo]

Here it is. I think they have pull behind and 3pt versions, with and without front coulters.

 

[Buckdeer#1]

I bought an older 705NT and have rebuilt alot of it.Probably wasn't worth what i paid for it but a little ole amish farmer told me it was in good shape.Well all I can say is his in good shape would be different than my idea of good shape.I planted beans last week with it.