Sara Schafer, Farm Journal Business & Crops Online Editor, and Margy Fischer, Farm Journal Machinery Editor

 

Look at these photos to see if you can figure out what's wrong with all of these planter parts. The answers are below. (Don't cheat!)

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

3.

 

 
 

4.
 

 

 

1. The seed tube on the right has obvious damage (note the gash on the right tube). This could affect seed placement.

 

2. The three bolts on the right have been obviously used and are worn. To assess the wear-and-tear damage of your bolts, compare them to a new bolt.

 

3. The chain on the far right is broken and the one in the middle has frozen links. The one on the left appears to be OK, but you should always run it in the shop to double-check for frozen links or other problems.

 

4. Look at the diameter of this disk blade. New disk openers measure 15”. You should replace blades if they are worn down past 14½”.

 

 

 

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