All the electrical systems on your planter, field cultivator or other towed piece of equipment are dead. After a moment of profanity:
- Check the fuse for the 7-pin connector on the tractor and for any accessory plugs used to power equipment in the cab or on the equipment. Be sure to check the fuses for all possible power sources. Some systems on planters or tillage tools route power for sensors through control consoles in the cab that might have power supplies separate from the traditional 7-pin connector.
- On the tractor side of the 7-pin connector on the rear of the tractor, pull back the rubber cover and visually inspect the connection for each wire. Fine dust sifts under that cover during field use, and, after heavy rains or over the winter, it can attract moisture that causes greenish corrosion that kills electrical conductivity.
- Be aware some planter systems, such as air compressors for pneumatic downforce systems, are wired directly to the battery with 12-gauge wire to provide unrestricted power. Those “hot-wired” systems are SUPPOSED to have an in-line fuse, usually within a foot or two of the tractor’s battery. That fuse is often hidden under the cab, coiled behind the battery box, or covered with field debris. Don’t overlook it when searching for the cause of a dead electrical system.
- After repairing or cleaning electrical connections, consider using dielectric grease on the male and female pins. You can buy “dielectric grease” in small tubes at auto parts stores and farm equipment dealerships. Some synthetic greases used for general lubrication are labeled “dielectric.” Don’t use any grease on electrical connections if it isn’t labeled “dielectric.”
