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"Check Planter" Built For 1935 International Farmall F-20 Tractor
This antique International 4-row, 38-in. corn planter was used for some 30 years before going into retirement.
The planter was on display last January at the Gordyville Farm Show, Gifford, Ill. It was originally purchased new by Henry English in the mid 1930s.
Henry's son Don says he continued to use the planter up until 1965.
The planter was designed to fit a Farmall F-20 or F-30 tractor and was used to plant corn in "checked" rows. It was equipped with a check wire. The operator had to get off the tractor and set the wire at the end of each row. In the mid 1930s, no herbicides were used so weeds were controlled by "cross" cultivating. By check planting, corn would be planted evenly in all directions. The planter could also be used as a drill or as a "hill drop" drill. It could check and drop 2, 3, or 4 kernels per hill. When used as a drill planter it had nine different drill spacings.
The planter had a mechanical lift, says English. It got its power from the pto, which the operator engaged by using a lever. The planter when new was available with fertilizer attachment, disc or blade furrowing attachment, gauge shoes, power lift, and single or double disc furrowing attachment. Shipping weight was 1,630 lbs.
According to Don, the planter was purchased for renovation by Bob Craig of San Jose, Ill. He has brought it up to full running condition and plans to demonstrate it at a show later this year.


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1998 - Volume #22, Issue #3