What would be a good picker that would fit my '57 JD 720 diesel? (Tractor has power steering, and roll-a-matic front end) Or would I be better of with a pull type. Wouldn't be opposed to a JD unit, but a big factor is that I can get whatever New Idea parts are still available through my family's farm equipment dealership (I work in parts). I also realize that with a pull type I could plant on narrow rows, whereas with a mounted I would have to be on wide rows. Also would be able to use just about any tractor I want. Any suggestions?
I also have a '51 G, but it has no roll-a-matic, no PS, no romotes, or live pto. Not in running condition now either.
-- Edited by jwmfarms on Friday 20th of August 2010 09:01:05 AM
Thanks! What would the model number be for a two row wide? I'm thinking maybe down the road I might get a small combine with a two row wide head, in case I want to shell some in the field, or be able to cut a few beans or small grain. Big demand around here for cover crop rye and nobody raising it. Looking for some unfilled niches where I could make a little money.
-- Edited by jwmfarms on Friday 20th of August 2010 12:27:03 PM
Plus there's the link to Country Machinery, a shop in Pennsylvania that rebuilds old parts and makes new aftermarket parts for NI pickers. I cry when I hear how cheap 324s go for in the midwest. That's where the jockies find them, and when they get here they sell for $3000-$3500 for a good one . . . . Another option for shelled corn is to find a 324 with a 329 sheller on it. You can switch shellers/huskers between gathering units, but if they sell cheap enough where you are, just have one 324 with a sheller and one 324 with a husker, makes life easier. BTW, I recommend the 12-roll 327 husking bed over the 8-roll 326.
I was told that you cannot mount a JD picker on a JD 'G', because the frame is too wide.
Obviously, a JD 227 or 237 would mount on your 720, as I had plans to mount my 227 on my 720D, the late ones with the universal mount would be pretty easy to put it on the tractor.
I hadn't thought of that, but you are probably right. I don't think I've even seen a picture of a G with a mounted picker.
What model, if any, New Idea mounted picker would fit on the 720D? I also have an Oliver 1550 gas, and two 1650 diesels. Both currently have wide fronts, but one came originally with a narrow, which we still have, and could easily place under either tractor. All three have the two speed Hydra-Power drive. Would these be good units to put under a picker?
With the correct mounts, a New Idea 305 or 319 gathering unit should fit any of those tractors. Both these picker units are basically the same - the 319 is newer and has more sealed bearings (whether or not that is a good thing, I'm not sure yet).
I don't know how hard it would be to find, but a Oliver 74 mounted picker would be a match to any of the Ollies . . . . a New Idea might also be easier to find with Oliver mounts than JD 2-cyl mounts depending on your area . . .
I paid $1800 for a total of 4 NI 324s over the last two years, all in working condition (southwest Iowa). You will pay dearly for a 325 in this area, working or not. I have found that the 324 (pull-type 2-row wide) handles 30-inch rows just fine. We removed the raise/lower hydraulic ram and installed a fixed rod to keep the snoots about 1' off the ground. The stalks lean right around the middle snoot and we lose very little corn. Of course, our cows clean up all the droppings in the fall.
According to what I've read in an old New Idea picker brochure, the 325 2rn was designed for 28=36" rows and the 324 2rw was to be used for 36-44" rows. If so, it looks like you could use either model for 36" rows. Is this correct?
