Wallaces Farmer

Proper adjustment of the planter is critical to achieving uniform corn and soybean stands.

April 7, 2020

3 Min Read
planter in field
CHECK IT: Proper planter setup optimizes plant spacing no matter the color, age or size of your planter. Rod Swoboda

With planting season near, there are a few key things to focus on regarding planter setup.

“Proper planter setup is critical for optimizing plant spacing,” says Aaron Saeugling, Iowa State University Extension field agronomist. “While newer equipment may allow us to plant in less-than-ideal conditions, I sometimes see those fields later in the year with interesting results — some good and some not. If you have not made adjustments to your planter setup in the past few years, there are things to keep in mind.”  They are:

Row cleaners. Row cleaners on planters come in various configurations and need to be adjusted for field conditions. With row cleaners, the concept is to not till a trench. Instead, the purpose of row cleaners is to only move aside any residue from prohibiting the double-disc openers from placing seed at the proper seeding depth. In other words, tickle the soil and don’t till a path.  

“I often see seeding depth issues related to aggressive row cleaners in no-till corn planted into soybean stubble,” he says. “If you are in a strip-till system, you may be more aggressive with the row cleaners. If planting into standing fall-planted cereal cover crops, I’m hesitant to use row cleaners due to wrapping and plugging from the cereal crop.” 

Single-row coulters. Single-row coulters function as a form of tillage ahead of the double-disc openers. There are several styles of single-row coulters available, and in most planting conditions, some soil contact is desirable.  

The major challenge when using coulters is soil moisture and speed. The deeper coulters are run, the higher the risk of soil sticking to the coulters. Consequently, soil may be tossed from the row, especially as planter speed increases. This can result in shallower seed placement. Additionally, if soil sticks to the coulters, it can contribute to sidewall compaction.  

Double-disc openers. You can make the case that the double-disc openers are the single-most important thing on your planter. The double-disc openers will allow proper seed depth, and will slice an opening to properly place the seed at the ideal planting depth. 

If unsure of the age of the double-disc openers, measure to check for wear. With most planters, the double-disc openers should measure 15 inches in diameter; however, this can vary based on the brand. There should never be more than a half-inch of wear. When worn openers are used, it typically results in “hair pinning” of crop residue, causing shallow planting depth. 

Planter speed. If increasing planter speed, more down pressure is needed. How much more pressure depends on soil moisture conditions and crop residue cover. Take time to get out and check field conditions and planter settings to make sure the seed is getting placed at the proper depth. Make adjustments as needed. For more information, see High Speed Planting Technology.

Closing wheels and drag chains. There are numerous closing wheel and drag chain setups. However, their functions are the same: to provide proper seed-to-soil contact. This is critical for even crop emergence. Also, keep in mind that as planter speed increases, down pressure should be increased. Almost any setup can mash the seed slot closed; however, ask yourself if you want the seed slot to open back up after it dries. Again, take time to check behind the planter and look for good seed-to-soil contact in the furrow, as well as potential issues like compaction or malformation of the seed furrow. Checking the seed placement periodically while planting is worth the effort. 

Be sure to monitor seed depth while planting as all the technology in the world is no substitute for a pair of pliers and digging behind the planter. Do not “set it and forget it,” as soil conditions vary from field to field and even within a field. Take the time to make the proper adjustments. For a video version of this article, see Planter Maintenance and Setup

Source: ISU, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content in this information asset. 

 

 

 

 

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