HP required for 24-30 JD CCS

[sam912]

Tossing the idea of trading up to a 24row 30" JD CCS planter.  My planter tractor is a JD 8120.  It has the biggest oil pump offered, just think the hp will be a little short.  Our land is mostly level.  Any thoughts?

[Red Steele]

I went with a 24 row kinzi semi mounted planter last spring, and put it behind a 200HP CIH 7140 Magnum, and I found it to be a little underpowered, this even without the row cleaners on. I am going with a 250 hP new tractor for next year, that weighs about 8000 lbs more than the magnum and with front duals so that the tractor steers the planter rather than the other way around.

[bobflash77]

We have a box style 1770 that we pulled with an 8300 and a MX215.  The 8300 I can't speak about since it was used the year before I started.  Both have similar horsepower.  The 215 performed well in 2008, but was somewhat short on power (speeds exceeding 5.5 mph) (500 liquid on tractor, 500 liquid on planter, fertilizer openers, duals, insecticide).  Thereafter we added a chip that gained us they say 65hp.  Since then I have had plenty of power.  We are flatlanders also.  I think in a dry year you might make it, but a wet year you will probably be short on power unless you no till.  In strip till ground it does pull easier.

[sam912]

thx for the response.  Decided to stay on 40' widths for sprayer and 32% cart.  Adding some precision parts to help on stand on JD planter. Found a good used Kinze 3600 16/31 for planting beans to utilize idle tractor in shed.