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I H 400 planter

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Joe

01-11-2003 16:21:01

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Can any one give me any input on the IH 400 planter? I need to replace my old 494,and I am trying to decide between it and a JD 7000.

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old fart

01-16-2003 01:34:48

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Re: I H 400 planter in reply to Joe, 01-11-2003 16:21:01

Joe, what ever you do, be sure to get it with a monitor that works. I ran a 400 over alot of acres mainly seeding sunflowers and a small percentage of corn.Bought mine new in 1977 and the local dealer talked me into upgrading the monitor to the better one. This is the brain box to be able to tell you what is going on and where the problem may be. It looks complicated, but a piece of cake when you work with it. They are worth more than the planter, SO to have been sheded and taken care of is a big item. Good luck and fire back any questions to see if we can help.

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old fart

01-16-2003 01:34:43

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Re: I H 400 planter in reply to Joe, 01-11-2003 16:21:01

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AG from NCIN

01-13-2003 10:50:00

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Re: I H 400 planter in reply to Joe, 01-11-2003 16:21:01

We still use a 400 8 row wide, dry fert planter on about 400 acres of corn each year. Parts are still available, and the machine works great. Has the 1000 RPM pump that goes directly to the pto. I don't recommend the ones with the pto shaft, but I think the 1000 is only available on 8-rows. Take some good quality weatherstripping and place it lengthways between the holes on your durms, not around the drum. This will take about 95% of the skips out if you properly maintain your planter. These planters can easily found for under a grand. You may have to put some money in one to get it near perfect, but very cheap compared to newer planters. Does a nice job, and you can use PLATELESS or ungraded seed.

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Hoosierbuddy

01-13-2003 08:45:51

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Re: I H 400 planter in reply to Joe, 01-11-2003 16:21:01

A few points:
1.The Cyclo series is still being made, it is now the 900 series and is still the sme basic operating principle.the older ones used PTO power for the fan,and the newer ones use Hydraulics to run them.
2. The IH air planter will plant in wet conditions when other planters get plugged up;if the tractor won't get stuck,it will usually plant fine.
3.The 400 Cyclo can,with the addition of row cleaners,plant No-Till.
4.Ever heard of Frances Childes? He set the prodution record of 454(or close to that) bushels per acre and has held and broken this record for many years using IH Air Planters.
Case/IH just gave him a new 900 series planter last year.It replaced his old 800 series,which replaced his 400....get the picture!
If the man who sets production records trusts this planter to create a great stand,why shouldn't you!
HB

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paul

01-13-2003 21:34:17

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Re: Re: I H 400 planter in reply to Hoosierbuddy, 01-13-2003 08:45:51

However, the 400 was the first try at the whole concept, so it's not quite as good as the newer 950's. ;)

I have heard that they have troubles in steep hills, accuracy goes down, something aboutleaning upsets the seeds on the drum?

Not trying to knock the planters, I just see them go for $200 around here, there has to be a reason. An equivelent JD 7000 will go for $2000.

Now, the updated 800 or 900 series, those are popular. But I just hear grumbling when a 400 comes up for sale. Probably just means a real good deal for those who know how to run them! :)

--->Paul

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01-13-2003 22:32:17

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Re: Re: Re: I H 400 planter in reply to paul, 01-13-2003 21:34:17

yeah,the set up is the key.And making sure all the sed tubes are free of bug nests and stuff,we run a wire with a brass shotgun cleaner through them if the pressure is off.
The hitch needs to be level,but I've got some hills and it doesn't seem to affect population at all.
I think the slow revolving drum is the secret-if you travel too fast,it will spin too fast and the seed needs that fraction of a second to drop.If you follow the manuals recommended planting speeds,no problem.
I guess the 400 series was the innovative planter that, if you loved IH,you got one.And when it didn't have the same quirks as the plate planters,you either slowed down and re-read the op manual until you got it;or you got frustrated and sold it,vowing never to try one again!lol
It took awhile to really fine tune my 400,but now I would put it up against any planter out there.JD,Kinze,White-All my friends have had to eat there words at one time or another mtching stand against stand,after hearing bs bout my old planter.
It used to put in between 600-800 acres a year,but now it just puts in sweet corn for me. The drum seal is original on the corn and the bean dru.
HB

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01-13-2003 22:36:28

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Re: Re: Re: Re: I H 400 planter in reply to HB, 01-13-2003 22:32:17

I should add that we had 2 ,a 6 row and a 4 row.I have the 4 row.
HB

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JMS/MN

01-12-2003 22:10:46

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Re: I H 400 planter in reply to Joe, 01-11-2003 16:21:01

Go with the 7000. Why did every manufacturer copy it- because it WORKS.! Most popular planter on the planet. Finger pickups are easy to maintain, belts are $8 to replace- my 8-30 does 3-400 acres each year and I've replaced belts in 1985 and 1999 (planter is a 1975). Replaced fertilizer and seed openers once. Replaced some seed backup plates once. $21 each row. Only advantage to a IH 400 is the seed tank: why are hybrid planters IH seed tank and 7000 openers? To get large seed tank capacity and GOOD SEED PLACEMENT! Tank capacity saves you time, seed placement grows the crop!

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bob

01-12-2003 04:32:13

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Re: I H 400 planter in reply to Joe, 01-11-2003 16:21:01

We use a 400 here in wis. Beats the maintence of the older 7000 deeres. They are getting old ( the 7000) and need worked on to get them to work good if the row units have not been rebuilt and if they seen alot of acres. The 7000s have finger pick ups and drop belts the wear out with use and need replaced. Not bad to do if your a wrench turner but getts expensive if you need to send it in to the shop. We bought a 400 and a few more for parts just to have cheap source to repair them with.

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TP from Central PA

01-11-2003 17:54:04

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Re: I H 400 planter in reply to Joe, 01-11-2003 16:21:01

We used a 290 JD planter the first year we farmed our rented ground 6 yrs. ago. Then we had the neighbors plant it with there NI planter with kinze row unit up till this past spring. Last March we bought a 400 4-30" planter at a sale along with a JD Van Brunt drill. Got both for $400($200 a piece). I heard alot of bad things about the 400 but after seeing the stand of corn we got with it, I am very impressed with it to say the least..... ..Had the best stand ever yeilding 73 bu/acre. I would buy another cyclo any day..... .You could buy a great many for the price of a Deere!

Just my $.02

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Hugh MacKay

01-11-2003 16:42:26

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Re: I H 400 planter in reply to Joe, 01-11-2003 16:21:01

I bought a new IH 400 planter in 1973. I as a dairy farmer didn't use to the extent some may. It probably only planted 4000 acres with 4 rows. It got to be quite troublesom with age, air and blower mainly. From what I have seen since and what you see in this part of the world, I would say stay with the Deere. Around here Deere outnumber all the rest put together 10-1. That speaks quite loudly. These guys are planting as much corn in two years as I did in 20 years.

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