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Planter Preparation
3/7/2003
Ron F. Meyer
Area Extension Agent
(Agronomy)
Colorado State University Extension
Golden Plains
Area |
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Today’s planters have to cut and handle residue, penetrate
the soil to the desired seeding depth, and establish proper seed-to-soil
contact. To do this correctly, the planter has to be set-up, adjusted, and
operated properly. By taking time in the field before filling the planter, you
can ensure a successful crop stand.
Check the double-disk seed-furrow
openers for proper adjustment. The two blades should be sharp, with no gap
between them. Blades mounted side-by-side should have about two inches of
contact. Staggered seed-furrow openers should have the rear blade tucked in
behind and just touch the leading blade.
To penetrate a desired seeding
depth, down pressure springs may be needed to transfer weight from the toolbar
to the row units. There must be sufficient weight on the planting units to keep
the depth gauge wheels in firm contact with the soil. There also needs to be
enough total weight on the toolbar to keep the planter drive wheels from
slipping since the springs are “lifting” the toolbar, especially when
the planter is nearly empty.
Level the planter in the field, making
sure that the toolbar is at the proper height so that the parallel links
connecting the row units to the toolbar are level. Also, level the planter from
front-to-rear by changing the hitch height on pull-type planters or the
third-link on mounted planters. Leveling the planter in the field is especially
important if there are any ridges in the field from cultivation last year. Make
sure that the planter is leveled or even operated slightly tail-down to improve
seed-to-soil contact.
Once the planter is leveled, try planting.
Evaluate if the planter has the proper weight and down pressure by planting a
short distance and stopping with the planter in the ground. Check the depth
gauge wheels on each planting unit to see if they are loose and you can rotate
them easily. If you can, tighten the down pressure springs or add heavy-duty
springs. Plant a little farther and check if you can slip the planter drive
wheels. You may need to add weight to the planter toolbar for the springs to
work against and to prevent slippage of the drive mechanism.
Check the
closing of the seed furrow by evaluating the seed-to-soil contact. Also check
the seeding depth and seed spacing on each row.
Pre-planting
double-check
1. Make sure the double disk seed-furrow openers
don’t have a gap between them.
2. Level the planter front-to-rear in
the field. Too many planters are operated nose down.
3. Set the toolbar at
the proper height in the field. The parallel links need to be level, not
pulling up or down on the planter units.
4. Plant with a nearly empty
planter to check down pressure and weight. Stop and check the depth gauge
wheels and drive wheels. Use down pressure springs to keep the depth gauge
wheels in firm contact with the soil.
5. Make sure any row cleaner is only
moving residue not soil. Don’t create a furrow that may crust or erode,
unless needed.
6. Check seeding depth on all rows. You may have to set it
deeper if depth gauge wheels are riding on residue.
7. Check seed spacing
in the seed-vee. Planter population rate charts may not be accurate.
8.
Check seed-to-soil contact, not the top of the seed-vee.
Source:
CropWatch, Paula Jasa, Extension Engineer |
Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
3/11/2003 |
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Colorado
State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kit Carson, Phillips,
Washington and Yuma counties cooperating. Extension programs are
available to all without discrimination. Where trade names are used, no
discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Colorado State University
Extension is implied. |
