Plans for Pan-type Bed Shapers

Bed shapers are available in pan-type and spool-type versions. Pan-type bed shapers are easy to fabricate in a farm shop. These plans will allow you to build one.- This set of drawings provides the specifications needed to build a 2-row (38- or 40-inch rows) bed shaper. Lengthen the shaper pan (drawing #1) as needed and add one center foot (drawing #2) per additional row.- This shaper will form a 6-inch-high bed. Experiments conducted on 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-inch heights on different soils indicated that, in general, a 6-8 inch height is optimum. If is possible that another height may be superior to 6 inches on a given soil type.- Note that the shoes are tapered to pack the soil on the sides of the beds.- The slide foot (drawing #8) is optional. The shaper pan and shaping feet can be removed and the slide feet used to transform the toolbar into a carrier for planting, cultivation, spraying, etc. cone guide wheels (John Deere #9039 for model #569 cultivator) should be used in this mode.- This bed shaper is designed to fit a John Deere model #569 cultivator frame with two 2.25” square diagonal toolbars spaced 12.75” apart. If other toolbars are used, dimensions should be modified accordingly. Mounting the shaper frame to the toolbars will require six bracket caps, available as parts for the #569 toolbar.- The shaper pan (drawing #1) shows mounting holes for 38- and 40-inch rows. Only one set of holes should be needed on a given farm.- The drawings show the shoes bolted to the pan. This allows easy changing and moving of the shoes. This is particularly important if you intend to also use the shaper for 76- or 80-inch beds. If you do not plan to change bed height or row spacing, the shoes can be welded to the pan.

Hardware List for Pan-Type Bed Shaper

- requirements for 2-row unit shown –

Quantity Size Description Use

12 7/8-9 x 6½” Hex head bolts with nuts and lock washers

toolbar clamps

9 3/4-10 x 2” Carriage bolts with nuts and lock washers

shaper pan to frame

12 5/8-11 x 2” Hex head bolts with nuts and lock washers

weld bolts to shoes

6 5/8-11 x 1½”

Hex head bolts with jam nuts slide foot (optional)

6 5/8-11 Hex nuts weld to frame verticals (optional)

6 Bracket clamps from John Deere model #569 toolbar (parts item)

toolbar clamps