The intricacies of modern planting systems complicate preparing for the first day in the field. Farmers now have to worry about components and systems that didn’t exist 10 years ago. For example:
1.) It’s usually recommended to remove any belts or brushes that transport seed from the seed meter to the seed furrow during off-season storage. If left in the planter, those conveyances can develop a “set” that will disrupt smooth seed flow. Brushes left in place, without removing leftover seed, can develop pockets that might cause skips in the seed furrow.
2.) Vacuum seed meter plates eventually develop wear. Check for ovalled seed pickup holes that reduce the vacuum “grip” on individual seeds. Also, use a straight edge to make sure wear surfaces of those plates are flat.
3.) Aluminum electrical connector housings can wear out. If they are repeatedly forced together, coupled inaccurately or regularly abused, their coupling lugs become distorted and allow the actual internal pins to bend or jam due to misalignment. A company rep once told me, “When they’re right, those connectors pretty much glide and lock into place without much effort. If you have to jam or twist or crank to get them to seat — you’ve probably already bent some of the pins.”
4.) Freaky stuff happens. Years ago, I fought a finger-style seed meter that insisted on regularly skipping seeds. Long story short, there was a small pebble jammed under one of the seed fingers that prevented it from picking up and delivering seeds. Where did the rock come from? We eventually figured out that small rocks were being flung from the rear tires of the pickup pulling a seed tender. Some of them would land in the hopper of the seed tender’s auger, and then delivered to the seed boxes on every refill. Slower travel speeds on gravel roads, and a small tarp over the auger hopper solved the problem.
Learn more from Dan Anderson:
Planter Maintenance Tip: Now Is the Time to Replace Closing Wheel Frame Bushings With Bearing Kits
4 Fixes When Your Planter Isn’t Running Quite Right
Hydraulic Hose Hiccups: 4 Suspects When Something Acts Wonky
