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Tune your planter for good stands

It’s time to make sure equipment is ready to go

The lengthening days are a sign that spring is near. While we’re over a month away from dropping the first seeds of the year, it’s time to ensure that your planting equipment is ready for another season of use.

University studies have confirmed what many have observed in the field; corn stands that emerge uniformly have the greatest yield potential and plants that emerge as little as one day late may not make an ear.

Therefore, keeping your equipment in good working order will give you the best chance of making a good crop.

A good inspection of the planter should start with the row unit. Parallel arms should be tight, with little wiggling up and down or side to side.

They should also be level when the planter is hitched to the tractor with the row units in the ground. Seed disks need to be above the manufacturer-suggested minimum diameter.

They also need the correct amount of contact, which can be checked by sticking two business cards between the openers and shimming the disks, if necessary, to achieve a distance of 1¢ to 2 inches between the cards.

Gauge wheels should be tight against disks and adjusted with washers if needed.

Seed tubes, guards and firming points should be inspected for wear as damaged ones can catch seeds or alter the seed slot.

Closing wheels need to have an intact spring, and bushings and bearings should be checked for damage or wear. Inspect drive chains and be liberal in their replacement; it’s an easy way to avoid problems later.

Finally, while coulters have been commonly used in no-till, many are eliminating them as they can result in excessive soil movement and can transfer weight away from the opening discs.

Metering units need to be in good condition, or you’ll get frequent skips and doubles.

They should be disassembled every year and cleaned with soapy water. Cracked pieces and broken fingers should be replaced as well as worn seed brushes.

Belts should be flexible, crack-free, and clean. If a groove has formed in the chromium housing, it’s time to replace it as well. Lubricate with graphite and avoid oil or WD-40.

I recommend taking meters to a dealer for calibration every year or 300-400 acres, ideally using your own seed. If you have a vacuum or air meter, check for air leaks and appropriate vacuum or air pressure.

As mentioned above, emergence uniformity can significantly impact yields. Therefore, when making upgrades, I suggest addressing row unit and downforce modifications first.

Changing closing wheels may result in better seed covering, especially in no-till systems.

Row cleaners can create more uniform temperature and moisture in the seed zone, and they push away material that depth gauge wheels would otherwise rise over.

Heavier downforce springs, airbags and active hydraulic systems can all improve uniformity of planting depth and seed firmers can ensure good seed placement.

Once those improvements are made, you may find that upgrades to seed meters may then be worthwhile.

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