There's no need to unhook from the tractor or uncouple hydraulic lines to move in and out of field position with a new hydraulic transport built for an 8-row Deere Max-Emerge by Indiana farmer Doyle Scott and his three sons, Ray, Robert and Terry.
"One man can change from field position to transport in 5 min. or less. It's much simpler and less complicated that other expensive transport systems on the market," says Scott, who farms near Hoagland.
Key to the transport is a telescoping gooseneck that lengthens for transport to pull the planter in-line. "Starting from planting position, you first lock the planter wheels with a short chain so they don't come down when you lift the planter. You also pull a pin to unlatch the telescoping tongue. The second step is to drive forward to lengthen the tongue. Then you lower the transport wheels, locking the two main transport wheels into position. A large cylinder pulls the planter sideways, riding on a small pivoting end wheel, to a locked position against the tongue. The last step is to reverse the action of the transport cylinder valve to raise the small end wheel. Once in transport position, it'll go through any opening the tractor can fit through," explains Scott.
The planter transport required no modification of the planter. It attaches to the frame with four large bolts. Scott and his sons also made a fertilizer fill auger for the planter from heavy gauge plastic pipe which will fill the planter from either end.