I'm seriously considering buying a great plains 3p806nt. But dang, they are expensive. I've found what I feel like is a pretty good price on a later model, nearly new unit. Less than 300 acres. Any of you guys use them regularly? Will I regret spending the money, considering I can rent a Haybuster for $100 minimum plus $7 per acre. But, it's always tied up when you want to get it. I only plant about 12-15 acres of fall food plots and about 5-6 acres of summer food plots. I use a 4 row Allis Chalmers planter for corn, if I purchase the drill, can I use it for corn and still have a decent looking crop? Do the no till drills work as good as I would think they would? (Relative question, I know). I don't mind doing it the old fashion way with spraying, discing, planting and cultipacking. But, it just seems so inefficient compared to no till. What say you?

Yes get it. Don't even consider a haybuster in same class with a GP.

There's no way I'd spend that much money to get a drill. Aren't they like $20,000? I got a 4 row 7100 JD no-till planter for corn, for about 1/10'th of that price. And for fall plots I do a variation of the throw and mow method.

No-till is as good, or better, than advertised!
If it is in your budget, go for it!
You won’t be sorry!

Well you're just..... never mind

Cheap?

I guess so. I need to retire at some point in the distant future...

Have you loo at The Firminator? We use ours at times like a no-till or you can set the disk and plow, plant and cover all at 1 pass.

Way lower price point than a drill. It will plant anything from clover to Chuffa.

I'm not a huge fan of drills for food plots, for the simple reason that it doesn't look like a putting green. When you broadcast seed it is a random pattern. With a drill, everything is in line. Same number of seeds per acre, but they're all lined up. So if you're looking at the field the same direction plant you'll see the rows. Deer keep the growth mowed down enough in the season that it doesn't really crown out and grow between rows. My drill does 8" rows (Truax Flex II-88).

So anyway, it's a vanity issue for me not a quality issue. By spring you can't tell it was done with a drill.

I've been experimenting with this collari tiller and seeder I bought and like it. It could do a little better job of packing the seed but it's good enough if you have the top link adjusted right.

We have had a GP drill for years. Good piece of equipment

GP is better quality than Haybuster.

One thing that attracts me to a true no till is, that I plant a lot of imperial clover. With a no till. I should be able to drop back and fill in the bare spots. They show up on the second year. When your planting a 3 acre field with one of those little hand held crank clover spreaders, it gets tough trying to keep it straight and cover everything evenly. I miss spots. Another plus is that, seed is supposed to go further when you drill verse a spreader. Cons are it's a lot of money. But, by the time you hit mid 40s you start realizing more and more how important time is. Especially time spent with your kids. I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old. Seems like I'm always gone to work. They grow so fast. I think the drill would save me time. Although time spent on a tractor is some of the most peaceful time I have. I would hate to cut that short. Sounds as if I'm trying to justify it. It's an 806nt. Y'all have any idea if that's a good unit?

I've looked at them, but never really considered one.. Perhaps I should.

You wouldn't regret it at all. I know they will be at Buckmasters this weekend. I can PM you the direct contact info for them if you like.

Get the drill I can't function without mine and it is a hell of an advantage for food plotters that can afford one. I just sold my Tye 2007 pasture pleaser that I've had for 12 years to upgrade to a 10' John Deere 1590. A good sprayer and a no-till drill equals big boy sh_t in the deer woods.

I agree I've got the same planters myself but this is a fellow that obviously can afford the drill. Coming for someone that has both pieces of equipment the NT drill is a game changer and to me is worth more than 10 times a much as my old planters for to many reasons to list. It really comes down to money and if you got enough a good NT drill is a very good get. Now ain't a dang thing wrong with the NT 7100s for corn and peanuts as a matter of fact that's why I still have mine I keep thinking about planting peanuts. The one major problem with other seed is limited row spacing with the 7100s but your right if you can't afford or just don't want to buy a NT drill some rebuilt NT planters with a fertilizer box on them is the next best thing. If primarily planting corn the planter I just described is the way to go and like your said T&M the other crap.

You won’t regret buying a NT drill. I wouldn’t want to plant without one. They spoil you and take the work out of planting. Buy the best you can afford. I like my GP. My grandchildren will still be planting food plots with this one

I run a marliss no till drill. Drill about 300 acres of pasture every fall . If you can afford one. Buy one. I also do a lot of drilling for the public and make a little money for my up keeps on it

I had a GP 1006NT for a couple of years and it worked great, but for food plots I sold it and bought a Woods PSS72. I have had the woods for several years now, it works better for me because it's 3 point and easier to get to my different fields, I have also been able to cut my seed-rate in half compared to broadcast spreading seed, though I did do the math one time and it's going to be about 8 more years before that actually saves me any money. haha.

Disking does away with growth your seed has to compete with I had a marless drill for several years for food plots scratching seed in with a disc is much better and faster plus a stump can be costly for a no till