Van Brunt grain drill wood tongue

[Wayne Stewart]

Does anyone have details or photos which show specifically how a wood tongue was attached? The previous owner told me the drill was made in 1914. Someone changed the wood tongue to a steel pipe receiver so that the tongue length could be adjusted to fit either horses or a tractor. I want to install a wood tongue like it was originally. Thanks.

[Larry K]

If you can't find it in literature from John Deere, you might try any farm museum. I believe that my brother-in-law in northwestern Kansas has one, if you mean the drills that went between the 42 inch corn stalks.

[Pitalplace]

If you are talking a one horse drill (one made to go between the corn rows) they did not have a wood tong. A single tree was attached directly to drill.

[Larry K]

Yes, I believe you are correct that the single tree was mounted on the framework of the drill.

[Wayne Stewart]

John Deere has no information. The equipment has nothing to do with corn. It was used to sow small grain like oats and is six feet wide.

The drill is pulled with two horses and does have a tongue.

[John Hanson]

Wayne, a picture of the front of the drill would help..should be some sort of "cradle" or "saddle" for the pole to rest in?? I've never seen a VanBrunt, but all the stuff I have here is pretty much straight forward in the way it mounts.
JH

[Paulie T]

Wayne, I have a VB grain drill and understand what you need but I too do not have the wood tongue to verify length. I do have the hardware intact on the drill end of things. I am very interested in making contacts concerning VB horse drawn drill identification and paint scheme.

[Wayne Stewart]

I do not know the model # of my drill but have purchased the drill end hardware for a model F and an unknown model # from Amish equipment dealers. Neither are the same as my drill. Model F uses a pulley and chain system that attaches directly to the frame. The other has a tongue which is offset from the center line. The tongue on my drill is on the centerline and the ratchet
is directly above the front of the frame and the pivot point is at the tongue end. It appears that the tongue pulls the drill via an eyebolt but I am not sure. If I could only find the model # I might get some help from JD's publishing company.

Wayne

[Kent McMakin]

Wayne, I have a Van Brunt parts manual that, I believe, covers the drill you have. Lots of good illustrations and pictures. If you PM me your mailing address and more details on what you need, I'll copy the stuff off and send it to you. And a pic of the drill from the back, would help too. Kent

[badbowtie355]

Can anybody tell me what year, or send me in the right direction of when this Van Brunt drill was made? I would like to find out as much information as possilbe....Also looking for value that something in this condition holds.

[Kent McMakin]

What you have is a Van Brunt fertilizer high wheel single disc grain drill. The fertilizer was dropped from the rear box and seed from the front. Seems John Deere started making these in 1911 and continued into the 1920's. Steel or wood wheels were available. With the amount of original paint and markings left, consensus is that it might be best to be left as is, un-restored. The soundness of the wood wheels is important as grain drill wheels are somewhat odd ball. Bigger than buggy wheels and smaller than wagon wheels so parts would have to be custom made. A dollar figure is hard to say. Most I've seen for sale and on ebay in original condition are in the $200- $800 range. Who knows what they actually sell for. Just my observations. Hope this helps somewhat.

[Wayne Stewart]

Originally Posted by Kent McMakin

Wayne, I have a Van Brunt parts manual that, I believe, covers the drill you have. Lots of good illustrations and pictures. If you PM me your mailing address and more details on what you need, I'll copy the stuff off and send it to you. And a pic of the drill from the back, would help too. Kent

My address is 8680 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton, CA, 93427. I will email pics ASAP. I suspect the key to identifying my drill is the lever linkage which straddles and bolts to the tongue and then attaches to small cast pieces which in turn bolt to the front frame member. Its the drill end of the tongue which I have not yet figured out. Your help is very much appreciated. Wayne Stewart

[Wayne Stewart]

I actually use my drill with these four Percherons. I'm discing in preparation for using the drill with the new tongue. You tractor guys don't know what you are missing! Wayne