South East Farm Press Logo

The following steps outline the process to run a block test on the planter to ensure each row unit is set to plant evenly at the target seeding depth.

March 21, 2023

4 Min Read
Block test on John Deere planter.
Using a block test to check depth settings is a good way to determine and attain the target seeding depth during planting.Simer Virk, UGA Extension

by Simer Virk, UGA Extension Precision Ag Specialist

With corn planting underway in some parts of the southeast, the 2023 planting season is officially here and will be in full swing over the new few weeks. That also means if you have not already, this is the perfect time to perform a thorough inspection and get that planter ready for the field.

During a detailed planter inspection, checking components that control seeding depth is one important consideration as depth variations during planting is one of the most common causes of delayed and uneven emergence.

Seed depth variations between the row units on the same planter are also common and can even exist on a brand-new planter. Minimizing depth variations across the planter is important to place seeds evenly at the desired depth and maximize the potential for a timely and uniform stand establishment.

Digging seeds behind the planter is usually a common practice to check depth settings at the beginning or during planting; however, at-plant field conditions can affect the accuracy of measurement and more often it is not performed on every row unit especially on large planters. Fortunately, there is a simple and an effective way to check planter depth settings before the planter even gets out in the field. The following steps outline the process to run a block test on the planter to ensure each row unit is set to plant evenly at the target seeding depth:

Related:Back to basics: Get seed depth right

  1. Take two pieces of 4x4 wooden blocks approximately 16 to 20 inches long. Both blocks can be of the same length but for certain planters with other attachments too close to the gauge wheels, one of the blocks may need to be shorter than the other. Mark one side of the longer block with lines spaced from ¼ to ½ inch apart (based on how precise you want to be). You can also choose to only mark the lines for the desired seeding depth(s) to be attained in the field such as one at 1 inch and another at 2 inches.

  2. Find a flat surface in the shop or outside. With planter raised, set the target depth setting on the row unit to be checked and place the blocks under that row unit so that when the planter is lowered, the gauge wheels sit on the blocks while the double-disc opener is directly in the center and not touching any of the blocks. Make sure the planter toolbar, parallel linkages and the row unit are parallel to the ground when resting on the blocks.

  3. If needed, adjust the placement of the front (shorter, non-labelled) block under the gauge wheel so that the double-disc openers can be clearly seen in front of the lines marked on the other block. Note down the reading corresponding to the lowest point of the double-disc openers on the block. This is the actual seeding depth that will be attained in the field corresponding to the current depth settings on the row unit. Compare this reading to the target seeding depth and adjust the depth settings as needed. Repeat the steps 2 and 3 after each adjustment until the actual depth reading on the block matches the desired seeding depth.

  4. Repeat and perform the same process for each row unit on the planter and record the final depth settings for each row unit that provides the target seeding depth. It is normal to have slightly different depth settings on the row units across the same planter to achieve a target seeding depth as shown below for a 4-row John Deere MaxEmerge2 planter. If the same planter will be utilized for planting more than one crop at different seeding depth, this is also a good time to check all the depth settings that the planter will be utilized for during the season. Keep a copy of these settings in the cab so they can be referenced and used as needed during planting.

Related:Cover crop innovation pays

Using a block test to check depth settings is a good way to determine and attain the target seeding depth during planting while also ensuring seeding depth uniformity across the whole planter. In addition to using the above method, when out in the field, it is always a good practice to dig seeds behind each row unit to verify the actual seed depth and make any necessary planter adjustments based on the prevalent field conditions.

Read more about:

Precision
Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like