I have been looking for a no-till planter for a while, and finally came across one only a few miles away.  It is a Deutz-Allis (green) 4R.  I couldn't find a model number off it, but it is an air planter, with dry fertilizer bins in decent shape, fluted coulters and double-coulter openers, hydraulic markers, etc.  Plus it has a seed monitor, and was last used about 2 years ago then stored.  So it seems almost ready to plant with just some basic cleanup and attention.

Anyone with experience on this model planter?  I would be pulling it with a D17IV, which I assume should be fine in terms of hydraulics and power?  Also, the air fans are run by the tractor electrics - would I have to switch the IV over to negative ground? 

Thanks in advance for any feedback or advice.

Russ-neia,

Yup -that's exactly like the one I looked at.  30 amps of power might be a problem.  I was thinking about converting over to a single-wire alternator anyway, as they are available fairly cheap, and I can convert to negative ground as well.

I forgot to ask the fellow, but perhaps you could tell me the adjustment range available for row widths? 

SE of Syracuse and NE of Binghamton and probably 1 1/2 hrs directly east of Ithaca. 

Thanks again for the feedback on the planter.  30" rows will work just fine for us. 

Dipstick,

Thanks!  I'll go for it for sure, based on what everyone has said.  The price is $750, but I can haul it home, and it seems to be in good to very good condition.   

I've heard enough good about them that I am kind of, sort looking for a 12 row 30 Deutz 385. would like it to have liquid fertilizer on it, and be somewhat close to north dakota. Darrel

Don't buy it !!!!!!!!!! Neighbor has a 385 and wants us to plant corn for him with our JD 7000 since ours leaves a much better stand.  The JD 7000 finger pick-ups are by far the best planter of there day you get what you pay for.  We have planted alot of corn with our 7000's with minimal maintenance. If you want pickett fence stands get a Deere.   Every company had weakpoints and planters was AC's and DA's. 

If a JD 7000 planter was painted orange you could not give it away. Next spring when corn comes up look at fields planted with JD 7000 and where AC 385 planted then see which has the most even spaceing.   MACK

VictoryAllis you are just telling a story of someone who doesnt know how to use there equipment. The fingerpickup works,you need to keep the speed down around 5 to get a good drop. I have never seen a 7000 that would drop as good as a 385. I have run them both. Finger pickup is nice you dont have any fans or vacs,just hook it up and go. 

Bought a 385 and planted with it this spring and it worked great.  David

Darrel, last spring I saw a really good 12 row, with liquid fert sell for $500-$700 bucks (can't remember).  I do remember they almost didn't get a bid though.  The planter had about 1200 acres of planting on it.

Nick, that's the kind of deal I'm looking for!! For that money, I could even afford the freight to get er here to ND. Darrel

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Switching to negative ground is no big deal.  I don't recall what size wire runs from the generator, but I would make sure it is at least #10 if you install an alternator.  Smaller wire can handle 30+ amps, but not continuously.

We can get a nearly perfect picket fence stand with a 7000 planter especially with precision updates.   Im my county almost all the planters are either Deere or Kinze with a couple CIH mixed in one white and the neighbors 385.  I have a freind that bleeds CIH red but runs a 7200 JD and likes it. Allis made great tractors and combines but there planters can't hold a candle to Deere and Kinze. We planted alot of corn with a D17 and 4 row 38 Deere planter back in the day  The cool thing about the finger pick Deere's is you can be planting soys or green beans or squash or sunflowers in a couple minutes of switch over time. I'm young and progessive enough not to play the color game  sorry the Deere plant is a better move.