Farm Equipment - DA 385 Planter Questiosn

Print Page | Close Window

DA 385 Planter Questiosn

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=196273
Printed Date: 12 Nov 2025 at 1:12pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: DA 385 Planter Questiosn

Posted By: Johnwilson_osf
Subject: DA 385 Planter Questiosn
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2023 at 2:02pm

Hello all,

Recently purchased a DA 385 planter (6 row). I planted about 60 acres with it this season to see how it works, and overall, it worked great. I do have a few questions I was hoping you could answer. I do have the operators manual, and the parts diagrams, but the questions I have are not in there.

1. Did anyone make covers that fit over the PVC seed drain in the hopers? It seems to mee that they hold a lot of seed that would work better in the hopper, than in that little PVC extension.

2. I need to install new seed pads in the hoppers. The operators manual does not seem to show this, so I am looking blindly at it. The replacement foam pads have adhesive on the edges, but I cant tell if the plastic covering of the foam pad goes under the aluminum trim ring, or on top of it.

Thank you,

John

-------------
Allis Express: Eastern PA on Rt 80
8050, 8010, 6080, 190, D14, DA 6035, AA 6690, 5650, Gleaner F2

Replies:

Posted By: plummerscarin
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2023 at 6:38pm

1)
We put duct tape over openings to keep seed out. Has worked well. Got 4 seasons out of that so far.
2)
We have the trim rings over the pads

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2023 at 6:44pm

Glue the seed pads to the plastic or aluminum housing on top off the adhesive. Glue the wear ring to the seed pad top. Use a piece of wax paper and install a seed disc and tighten the hand nut to squeeze everything into place and let dry at least 24 hrs. 3M glue brown or yellow weather strip adhesive. Remove the seed disc probably with a sharp knife to unglue the seed disc before planting. Make sure it turns by hand !!! with drag on it.

Posted By: Johnwilson_osf
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2023 at 8:15pm

Great idea with the duct tape. Thank you.

Dr. Allis, I appreciate your thoughts on the adhesive.

Thank you both

John

-------------
Allis Express: Eastern PA on Rt 80
8050, 8010, 6080, 190, D14, DA 6035, AA 6690, 5650, Gleaner F2

Posted By: tbran
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2023 at 2:13pm

The origional seed hoopers did not use the galvanied wear ring - it was a product improvement campaign on the early ones. The ones with the screw type dept adjustment. We improved the performance by upping the blower speed by running a ground wire from the blower motor black ground wire- splicing into it and grounding to the planter frame - don't understand why but one can actually hear the fan increase speed. Worked on the old 78 air units as well. We ran the medium small seed disc - starts with part number 715... We added the tickler brush from the beet or sorghum kit - the White planter tickler brush works well. They can be left in for soybeans but are mainly for corn - it helps eliminates doubles in light seed. You can see the kit in the parts book. We also ground a "V" into the outer edge of the seed discs to allow fines and other build up to exit with out breaking the air seal and loosing pressure. The V was about 7/16 on the outer edge and V'd just to the edge of the wear line on the inner side. We also found 1 blower per only 2 units really helps as we need 2 WC " of pressure on the center drop plates. We also poked a hole in the wire blower screen so as to put a tube in to blow the build up off the squirrel cage fan blades. Still know the location of the 12 row that came off Loretta Lynn's Farm.

-------------
When told "it's not the money,it's the principle", remember, it's always the money..