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James & Scott,
I was able to enjoy this episode again from the hotel in Garrison this morning.
Overlooking the partially frozen pond, this seemed very appropriate.
A great tutorial and great slabs
cheers
Both Scott and I appreciate you taking the time to tuning in!
The big lake just can’t freeze fast enough, can it?! I think The Red Door was reporting boats out fishing muskie on the north end just prior to the holiday so it has a ways to go yet. 
Can anyone tell me if I can use one to plant corn?
I know I’d have to block off a couple of openings to get the spacing but will the kernels pass thru with getting crushed ?
Or is that wishful thinking and I should look into a 2 row planter…but I didn’t really want to spend another lump of cash if my drill will work.
Anybody have any thoughts or done this before?
Wish I could help, but never had or used a grain drill. I would be curious if it worked though.
Interesting question, I’d be interested to see if anyone had a way of doing it.
From my limited farm-work knowledge of grain drills, I would think that if it were possible at all, you’d need to do some slick engineering to make it easily reversable so you can go back to grain. Also, a lot of testing would be required to make sure the thing was working right or you’d plant corn and then realize a month later that it hadn’t worked well and then things would be all hosed up out in the plot.
If you do it, take pictures.
Grouse
If you have a soft deep seed bed it can be done. I used to plant soybeans using my drill. you will have to reduce the seeding rate to drop a seed every 4-6″ and no closer than 20″ rows. Good luck and let us know how it goes
Well, I got some replies another site too.
Seems like beans have been done but not corn. Beans must have a smaller seed?
My biggest concern would be that the corn seed would get crushed as it feeds thru the “gear” that drops the seed.
Also, controlling it so it only drops a seed every 4″ might be kinda tough.
I might try it this year on a couple test spots and see what happens…unless I find a cheaper 2 row planter. Most of the 3 pt ones on CL are in the area of $1200 to $2000. Ouch.
Anyhow, thanks for the replies and I’ll have to let you know what I did and how it worked later this year.
Where are you located? How much are you looking to plant?
I can bring my tractor/planter by and help out for just a little fuel.
Pm me if your interested
Hook – PM sent. Thanks for the offer.
I’d really like to try using the drill and see if it will work or not. or find a cheaper 3 pt planter.
But it’s nice to have a back up plan !
I just talked to guy I bought the drill from and he tells me it can be done.
Seed does not get crushed.
1. use setting 10 then lift the drill in the air. The setting might need to be adjusted after step 2 but 10 will be close.
2. mark the tire with chalk and spin once. Divide the circumference of the tire by the number of kernels dropped to give you the spacing in inches.
3. or maybe this shoulda been 1? Anyhow, cover some of the openings in the drill to make 24 to 30 inch rows. You can divide the hopper and then use beans in between the corn rows too. Beans and corn will drop “about” the same rate.
I’m sure there will be some seed to close or too far apart but without a regular planter, it should be ok.
So, I guess I give a whirl and see what happens. HookNfinger also volunteered to help me plant using his planter…very cool.
Gotta love these forums to share ideas and help when needed !!
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