Check Planters Before Rolling Out
Published: Friday, March 28, 2025
The following is from Caroline Ahn of Corteva.
Before "go time" this spring, it's slow time. That means it's time for planter maintenance. Every planting season is unique and equally important, and the importance of planter maintenance and field by field placement set up is critical to success. By following a preseason planter maintenance checklist, farmers can ensure consistent seed placement and optimize overall planter efficiency.
Make sure to go back to basics, which means checking tire pressure, planter leveling and parallel linkage arm wear. Then move to seed tubes, double disc openers, meters and closing wheels.
Avoid the toolbar sloping by checking the hitch level, which can affect performance. The planter bar height should be 20 inch to 22 inch for proper down-pressure and row-unit leveling. Planters with center-weighted designs may need adjustments to handle extra weight.
Inspect the seed transmission system for smooth operation including clutch assemblies, bearings, sprockets, idlers and chains to prevent irregular seed spacing. Misaligned shafts can lead to inconsistent planting populations. Set no-till coulters a one-quarter inch above openers to avoid planting seeds too deep. Row cleaners should remove trash without disturbing the soil and opening disks should create a clean "V" trench for seeds.
To prevent sidewall compaction, make sure to adjust the closing wheels. Too much downforce can result in compaction and hinder seedling emergence. In wetter soils, spike closing wheels may further reduce compaction. Additionally, check finger pickups, knock-off brushes and conveyor ladders for wear. Apply graphite for smoother seed flow and inspect vacuum systems for air leaks.
Check the CCS pressure gauge, agitator shaft and seed tank for seed bridging or plugging. Adjust tank pressure for seed flow and use mini-hopper nozzle inserts for smaller seeds.
Finally, hop into the cab to check the technology, including the wiring, monitors and sensors. Make sure the software is updated and ready to store data for new fields.
Don't spend time preparing the planter this spring without thinking about the seed. Spring is a great time to also prepare variable rate seeding prescriptions and enter products into the monitor. Not only does this help avoid confusion in the field, but aids in scouting, decision-making and year-end analysis.
Carl Joern, Pioneer field agronomist in Indiana, recommends pre-staging corn for fields and taking seed temperatures into consideration for flowability.
"As you move the corn boxes into your storage shed and pre-stage them for each field, ensure that there is good air circulation," Joern said. "If the weather forecast predicts dry conditions, consider placing them outside for better ventilation. The goal is to ensure gradual warming of the seed. Sudden temperature changes, like moving seed from a 50 degrees F shed to a 75 degrees F field, can cause the seed to sweat. This can affect the seed's flowability, making it harder for the seed to perform as it was engineered."
Pioneer thoroughly tests seed treatments for two years before release. These treatments undergo rigorous testing in various conditions, ensuring they perform well in diverse temperature and humidity levels.
"The goal is to ensure that the active ingredients in the treatment work together optimally to provide best-in-class protection against early-season insects and fungal pathogens that thrive in cold, wet soils," Joern said.
Additionally, the polymers used in the treatments must strike a balance. They need to be slick enough to allow the seed to flow smoothly through the planter but not so slippery that they cause doubles in the furrow. Proper seed treatment ensures the seed moves through your equipment with minimal issues, contributing to a smoother planting process.
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