In The Shop: Prepping High-Tech Planters
Our grandfathers backed up to their planter, dropped a drawbar pin, hooked up a single hydraulic hose and were ready to plant. Modern planters with high-speed seed meters, hydraulic downforce systems and other high-tech options require a little more effort.
Depending on the brand and model of planter it may be necessary to:
Correctly connect hydraulic hoses.
Hydraulic outlets on the tractor that control orbital motors on vacuum fans need to provide constant flow. Many in-cab hydraulic controls have special “detent” settings to power orbital motors. The same applies to hydraulic outlets that control automatic hydraulic downforce systems. Check the tractor and planter owner’s manuals for the correct way to connect the hoses and operate tractor controls for planter systems that require constant flow of oil.
Update computer software.
Tractor, combine and self-propelled sprayer operators are familiar with the importance of keeping software updated for the multiple computers in those machines. Modern planters now carry computers that also benefit from regular software updates. A dealership can use the machine’s serial number to see if updates are available for the computers on that particular machine.
Synchronize tractor and planter.
The computer systems on the tractor may need to be synchronized with the computer systems on the planter. If the same tractor is used on the same planter each year, they should “remember” each other. But if a different tractor is attached to a planter, it may be necessary to synchronize their computerized systems. A dealership can determine what procedures are necessary.
Calibrate planter systems.
Systems on a planter that automatically adjust to field conditions may need to be calibrated. Those systems use potentiometers to monitor the position of each component. Fully raising/lowering the components “teaches” the computer how many volts each potentiometer puts out fully raised and fully lowered. The computer then uses that information to automatically move the components within that range.
Flush hydraulic systems.
Hydraulic systems that use relatively small hydraulic cylinders to control downforce on multiple row units are sensitive to air in the system. Manufacturers recommend doing a “flush procedure” after connecting a planter to a tractor each season, and any time that hydraulic system is disassembled for repairs.
Test-run high-speed seed meters.
One of the benefits of electric-drive seed meters is the ability to test run them at simulated field speeds while sitting in the farm yard. Issues such as improper seed disk tension that might not be noticed with a conventional-speed planter are magnified at higher speeds. Owner’s manuals provide procedures to test each row in the farmyard — with seed — to ensure seed spacing is near perfect.