Farms.com Home  › Farm Equipment News

How to a Growers Tips for ST Pathfinder Maintenance

Maintaining your equipment is essential to ensuring longevity and optimal performance. In this blog post, we share maintenance tips from Joe of VanQuaethem Farms, based on over five years of hands-on experience with the ST-8 and ST-10 models. Learn how to keep your ST-Series Applicator running smoothly with minimal effort. 

Step-by-Step Instructions 

There are a few key things to keep in mind to extend the lifespan of your equipment and ensure optimal performance: 

1. Regular Calibration 

  • Ensure that you calibrate the machine correctly when you first purchase it. 
  • Once calibrated, you rarely need to recalibrate unless there is a notable change in your operation or product. 

2. Keep Equipment Clean 

  • Like with any large machinery, maintaining cleanliness helps prevent buildup of debris or residue that could affect the machine’s performance. 
  • Focus on cleaning the metering rollers and any moving parts to avoid unnecessary wear and tear. 

3. Check Moving Parts Regularly 

  • Inspect moving parts such as the metering drive and metering rollers and ensure proper lubrication to avoid any malfunctions. 
  • Make a habit of checking the hydraulics and chains for any visible signs of wear. This can prevent unexpected breakdowns. Newer models have direct drive hydraulic motors. 

4. Simple Adjustments as Needed 

  • The Salford Pathfinder is designed for minimal intervention. Once you get the machine set up, it runs smoothly. 
  • Keep an eye on the machine’s components, but you should rarely need to make adjustments beyond basic checks. 
Click here to see more...

Trending Video

2026/27 South American Early Soybean Planting Pace a Record + A Repeat of 1998 in Hogs?

Video: 2026/27 South American Early Soybean Planting Pace a Record + A Repeat of 1998 in Hogs?


Despite a Super Strong El Nino the early South American soybean planting pace is ahead of schedule.
The long-term forecast looks dry for the North but wet for the South including Argentina.
China bought 1.5 mmt of U.S. soybeans this week with rumors of 2 mmt and now at 68% of 25 mmt commitment.
The question mark remains the Chinese pledge towards the $17 billion in ag purchases.
NOPA weekly crush report was lower than expected. Another hot U.S. wholesale inflation print this week.
Investors rotating out of AI
Weak U.S. pork demand weighing on hogs
+ CFTC.