Planter Frame Folds Forward For Transport

Planter Frame Folds Forward For Transport PLANTERS Planters 1-5-8 An innovator from Illinois has uncorked a new concept in corn planter design. You've never seen anything quite like it - a front folding planter frame available in widths from 30 to 60 ft. In two minutes, it folds forward to less than 14 ft. for road transport. "We think it has some key advantages over rear-folding and other type toolbars," Gene Shoup, inventor, told FARM SHOW. His own Shoup Manufacturing Plant, at Bonfield, Ill., expects to have about 50 of the new front-folding planter frames off the assembly line prior to the 1978 spring planting season. "One advantage with front folding is that it allows fertilizer tanks to be mounted on the planter frame," he points out. The frame flexes in three sections, allowing it to follow the ground contour with greater precision. The entire frame can be lifted as a unit, or either the right or left wing can be lifted individually while the planter is in motion, allowing the operator to plant one-half of the frame's width. Each wing has its outer end supported by two wheels which serve as both lift and drive wheels. The new-style planter frame is designed to accept individual units and other parts from new or used 500 Cylco, or Deere 7000 or 7100 Max Emerge planters. "For farmers who already have one or more planters, the drives, lift wheels, hubs, markers and portions of the frame can be used to help reduce cost," Shoup points out. He notes that no caster wheels are used in the planting position, or for road transport. Four center wheels support the planter in the rear, and your 3-pt. hitch lifts the front. The planter is pulled from the 3-pt. hitch in both field and road positions. Wheels used to lift the wings also serve to drive the planter units. "We recommend that tractors equipped with dual wheels be used to pull the planter," says Shoup. "We'll assemble planter units on the frames, or modify frames to the customers' specifications. Prices of our basic frames are competitive with others on the market." The front-fold frame design makes folding and transporting the unit a simple, one-man operation. The entire process takes less than two minutes. The tractor moves forward to elongate the tongue in converting the unit to transport position. Forward movement of the tractor, plus hydraulic power, folds the frame. Once the wings come together, they automatically interlock with one another. The 3-pt. hitch then lifts the front of the planter for transport. The planter is pulled from the 3 pt. hitch at all times, even though the planter is a pull type. Four center wheels on the planter frame support the rear during transport, and support the center of the frame while in the field or working position. "All that's required to fold the frame is the simple removal of three pins," explains Shoup. "The frame can be made up to 60 ft. wide and still have a transport width of less than 14 ft. The frame has a short tongue to give it a shorter turning radius than on other planter frames or toolbars on the market," he points out. Shoup expects to have a similar front-fold rotary hoe on the market early next year. It uses hoes of a toolbar design and will be available in a maximum width of 60 ft. Slated for introduction yet this year is a 50 ft. front-fold anhydrous applicator which does not require that the nurse tank be unhooked to fold the unit for transport. For more details, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Shoup Manufacturing, Box 121, Bonfield, Ill. 60913 (ph. 815 932-5605).

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