Time For A Planter Tune-Up

Maintenance, repairs and adjustments now can save time later in the field.

Now that the snow is melting we are all eager to get a start on the 2015 growing season. Rather than hopping on the tractor and heading out into a wet field, save some time now by making some annual adjustments to your planting equipment. Achieving picket fence stands begins with a good chain, free of kinks and if lubricant is needed, be sure to use a dry lubricant so that dust from the seed treatments do not gunk up the chain.

Tighten bushings or replace if needed to remove any play from the parallel links. Clean out the meters and change the finger pickup brushes every year. Be sure that everything inside the meter is smooth. Even a little rust can catch seeds causing skips. Check seed tubes to be sure they are in good shape. The end of the tube should be flat to ensure the seeds placement in the row. The disk openers should touch for 2 to 2 ½ inches. This can be checked by attempting to slide a business card in front of and behind the disks, marking where the disks touch and measuring the distance.

Source:psu.edu