By Blake Jackson
Ensuring a well-maintained planter is crucial for successful no-till results, particularly in challenging conditions. Extension soil management specialist Sjoerd Duiker emphasizes the intricate tasks a no-till planter must perform, including planting through heavy crop residue, creating a perfect V slot, and placing seeds uniformly at a consistent depth, all while operating at speeds of 4 to 6 miles per hour.
Winter maintenance begins with a focus on metering units. Dysfunction in these units can lead to skips, doubles, and triples. Taking apart metering units for thorough cleaning is essential, using soapy water without kerosene, diesel, or oil. Checking and replacing cracked plastic covers, broken fingers, and ensuring proper tension are vital steps.
Duiker recommends taking finger pickup metering units to a dealer for calibration every 100 to 150 acres or every three to four years. Calibration involves using a bag of your own seed and providing the correct driving speed for optimal performance.
Moving on to planter units, Duiker highlights the importance of accurate depth placement. Loose or wobbly planter units compromise depth consistency. Checking for uniform height, securing loose bolts, and replacing cracked seed hoppers are critical steps.
Seed opener disks must meet minimum diameter requirements and come together appropriately. Checking for wear, using business cards to ensure proper spacing, and replacing worn opener disks are key tasks. Monitoring seed tube wear, seed tube guards, and cleaning seed sensors are additional steps for planter unit maintenance.
Duiker stresses the significance of well-maintained seed firmers for improved depth accuracy. Adjusting tension and replacing worn firmers when necessary contribute to optimal performance. Depth wheels running tight against disks, coulter diameter checks, and alignment verification of coulters, opener disks, and closing wheels are crucial for precise planting.
Checking insecticide boxes for damage, blowing out tubes, and inspecting fertilizer opener disks are part of the comprehensive planter maintenance routine. Weighing the fertilizer output with a test run and adjusting as needed ensures accurate application rates.
Chains and sprockets demand scrutiny, with replacements for worn or stiff links. Proper lubrication and tension are key to chain maintenance. Duiker recommends these meticulous steps to guarantee a well-maintained planter, emphasizing the necessity for timely winter maintenance for optimal performance during the planting season in no-till conditions.
Photo Credit: kinze-manufacturing
Categories: Pennsylvania, Equipment & Machinery