Spring planting is an important time for precision and there’s little room for error when it comes to getting your crop off to a good start. In this video, Jeff Sorenson, Legend Sales Agronomist, reviews tips for making sure your planter is ready this spring.
Here’s a maintenance checklist to consider as you begin preparing to plant:
Frame: Inspect frame structure for signs of metal fatigue, such as cracks, bowing or separated welds. This type of wear can be hazardous to the operator and expensive to repair if left too long.
Hydraulic System: Inspect cylinders, hoses, and hydraulic lines for leaks.
Drive Line: Inspect drive shafts and couplers for twisting or abnormal wear. Replace worn out bearings, sprockets and chains. Chains that are rusty can be freed up by soaking them in diesel fuel or chain lube. All of the chains should be well-lubricated with a lightweight oil or chain lube.
Row Units: Inspect down pressure spring, parallel linkage and bushings. All broken, twisted or worn parts on the shank of the row unit should be replaced. Some planters have a firming point, shoe, or inside scraper. These need to be replaced on a regular basis, this will depend on your soil type. The inside scraper also functions as a guard for the seed tube, if it is worn too much, your disc openers will wear on the seed tube. Worn seed tubes can cause erratic seed placement in the seed trench. If your seed tubes need replacement, you can now purchase seed tubes with tungsten inserts that can come in contact with the disc opener. These inserts can protect against wear.
Disc Openers: Any chipped, cracked, or abnormally worn disc blades should be replaced. Measure the blades across the center to determine wear. Most new disc opener blades measure 15 inches. Replace disc blades that show more than ½ inch of wear. The disc opener blades should make contact with one another from 8:00 to 6:00 with about 4 inches of circumference. Heavy duty opener blades will not have as much contact (only about 3 inches), always replace disc openers in pairs. Mismatching new and used opener blades can seriously affect the row unit’s ability to penetrate hard ground. Using mismatched blades will also create an abnormally-shaped seed trench, which will negatively affect seed placement.
Scrapers: If your planter uses flat scrapers, replace the scrapers after ½ inch of wear or if the scrapers no longer firmly contact the disc opener along the entire width of the scraper. If your planter uses rotary scrapers, be sure that the scraper is not worn to the point that the mounting for the scraper contacts the opener blade.
Gauge Wheels: The row unit gauge wheel should make contact with the disc opener blade and act as a second scraper when the row unit is in the ground. If the gauge wheel is not making proper contact, adjust the shims in the gauge wheel arm. You may have to replace the gauge wheel arm or replace the bushings. Gauge wheel tires also wear out and lose their shape and scraping edge that contacts the disc opener. Replace the tire if necessary.
Closing System: All planters have some sort of closing system, whether that system is a pair of V wheels, a single press wheel or a combination of closing discs and wheels. Inspecting closing wheels is a lot like inspecting gauge wheels. You want to make sure your bearings are good and that pivot points and axles are not overly worn. The rubber tire on the closing wheel should not be overly worn or want to slip on the rim. Check your down pressure springs for broken or cracked springs and make sure the adjustment to the down pressure spring works freely. Closing discs should be inspected, too. They have very small bearings and blades that can wear out easily.
Metering Systems:
Mechanical finger meters: Examine wheel for broken fingers or overly stretched springs. Examine carrier plate, if a wear groove has developed along the top of the carrier plate make sure that it has not worn through the dimple in the plate. This hill and valley is important for preventing doubles. If it is worn more than halfway through, it should be replaced. Replace the brush at the top of the carrier plate every 100-150 unit acres. This is a cheap fix to doubles and overplanting in older meters. Check the seed belt for cracks, if the seed belt is becoming hard or brittle, replace it. Hard or brittle belts can make the meter drag and cause doubles. Examine the belt sprocket every other year, if the teeth are becoming hook-shaped, replace them. Hooked teeth can make the seed belt jump and can increase wear on the seed belt and meter drive parts. When reassembling a finger meter, never overtighten the drive parts. in most cases, finger tight is sufficient. Overtightening will increase wear. The best way to make sure your meters are working properly is to have them tested. Meters should be tested every year. Have your meters tested by a trained professional and make sure his test counts 1,000 seed drops per test. Any test recording less than 1,000 seeds is not accurate enough to properly adjust your meter. If at all possible, provide your dealer with a sample of your seed or at least advise them on what seed size you use and what seed treatments you use. This will ensure that your meters are adjusted to fit your needs.
Brush Meters: Check the individual cells on the seed plates to make sure that they are not becoming malformed. Inspect the brushes in the meter and replace the bottom brush if it is missing over 10% of the bristles. A telltale sign of a bad lower brush is severe overplanting. The upper brush is much more sensitive. If the bristles are missing, bent over, or worn off, replace the brush. Brush meters will have a wear band along the inside of the meter housing. This is to prevent seed from wearing into the casting. Replace the wear band when it gets thin.
Vacuum and air pressure type metering system: Planters that use air to meter seed require a different level of maintenance than mechanical meters. Inspect all of the air delivery lines for potential and current leaks. Inspect the seed plates for cracks and examine all the dust seals on seed-plated and hose joints. Make sure these items seal properly to prevent dust from getting in the system. Fine dust can quickly damage even new air pumps. Many brands of vacuum meters have “knock off” brushes, little brushes the seed moves against to knock off doubles and seat the seed firmly against the seed plate. These need to be adjusted and replaced. The meters that John Deere uses have a lot of retrofit kits and replacement seed plates and other parts are available from specialty companies. These products have some merit and most back up their claims with sound research.
Seed Lubricants: Every planter manufacturer has a seed lubricant that they recommend using in their meter, whether it is mechanical, brush, vacuum or pressure metering. Use the type of lubricant suggested for your brand of planter.
Before opening a bag of seed, be sure to read, understand and accept the stewardship requirements, including applicable refuge requirements for insect resistance management, for the biotechnology traits expressed in the seed as set forth in the technology agreement that you sign. By opening and using a bag of seed, you are reaffirming your obligation to comply with the most recent stewardship requirements.
Seed containing a patented trait can only be used to plant a single commercial crop from which seed cannot be
saved and replanted. Examples of seed containing a patented trait include but are not limited to Genuity®
Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans, Genuity® Roundup Ready® spring
canola, and Genuity® Roundup Ready® winter canola. Additional information and limitations on the use of
these products are provided in the Monsanto Technology Stewardship Agreement and the Monsanto Technology
Use Guide. U.S. patents for Monsanto technologies can be found at the following webpage:
http://www.monsantotechnology.com
Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are
commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with
Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Only
commercialized products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory
systems. Certain products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory
systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in
countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and
international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not
permitted.
Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying
position for this product. Growers should refer to
http://www.biotradestatus.com for any
updated information on import country approvals.
Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered
trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization.
B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your Monsanto representative for the registration status in your state.
IMPORTANT IRM INFORMATION: RIB Complete® corn blend products do not require the planting of a structured refuge except in the Cotton-Growing Area where corn earworm is a significant pest. SmartStax® RIB
Complete® corn blend is not allowed to be sold for planting in the Cotton-Growing Area.
See the IRM/Grower
Guide for additional information. Always read and follow IRM requirements.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready technology contain genes
that confer tolerance to glyphosate, an active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Agricultural
herbicides containing glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate.
Performance may vary from location to location and from year to year, as local growing, soil and weather
conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible and
should consider the impacts of these conditions on the grower’s fields.
Acceleron®, Genuity®, RIB Complete and Design®, RIB Complete®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design®,
Roundup Ready®, Roundup®, SmartStax®, VT Double PRO® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. LibertyLink®
and the Water Droplet Design® are registered trademarks of Bayer. Herculex® is a registered trademark of Dow
AgroSciences LLC. Respect the Refuge and Corn Design® and Respect the Refuge® are registered trademarks of
National Corn Growers Association. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Roundup
Ready 2 Xtend®, Roundup Ready 2 Yield®, QuickRoots®, and Roundup Ready PLUS® are trademarks of Monsanto
Technology LLC.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR USE ON PESTICIDE LABELING. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL
AND STATE LAW to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its labeling. NOT ALL formulations
of dicamba or glyphosate are approved for in-crop use with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans. ONLY USE
FORMULATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR SUCH USES AND APPROVED FOR SUCH USE IN THE STATE
OF APPLICATION. IN CROP USES MAY NOT BE APPROVED IN ALL STATES. Contact the U.S. EPA and your state
pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba herbicide products for
in-crop use with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans.
Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate and dicamba.
Glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Dicamba will kill crops that are not tolerant to
dicamba. Contact your Monsanto dealer or refer to Monsanto’s Technology Use Guide for recommended weed
control programs.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready®
technology contains genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, an active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Agricultural herbicides containing glyphosate will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate.
Due to the unique cropping practices do not plant Roundup Ready® Alfalfa in Imperial County, California, pending import approvals and until Forage Genetics International, LLC (FGI) grants express permission for such planting.
In the following states, purchase and use of HarvXtra® Alfalfa with Roundup Ready® Technology is subject to a Seed and Feed Use Agreement, requiring that products of this technology can only be used on farm or otherwise be used in the United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. In addition, due to the unique cropping practices do not plant HarvXtra® Alfalfa with Roundup Ready® Technology in Imperial County, California, pending import approval and until Forage Genetics International, LLC (FGI) grants express permission for such planting.
Forage Genetics International, LLC (“FGI”) is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). FGI products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with FGI’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. HarvXtra® Alfalfa with Roundup Ready® Technology and Roundup Ready® Alfalfa have pending import approvals. GROWERS MUST DIRECT ANY PRODUCT PRODUCED FROM HARVXTRA® ALFALFA WITH ROUNDUP READY® TECHNOLOGY SEED OR CROPS (INCLUDING HAY AND HAY PRODUCTS) ONLY TO UNITED STATES DOMESTIC USE. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Growers should refer to http://www.biotradestatus.com/ for any updated information on import country approvals. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate. Glyphosate herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate.
All Encompassing Seed Piracy Statement: Seed containing a patented trait can only be used to plant a single commercial crop from which seed cannot be saved and replanted.
Examples of seed containing a patented trait include but are not limited to Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans, Genuity® Roundup Ready® spring canola, and Genuity® Roundup Ready® winter canola. Additional information and limitations on the use of these products are provided in the Monsanto Technology Stewardship Agreement and the Monsanto Technology Use Guide. U.S. patents for Monsanto technologies can be found at the following webpage: http://www.monsantotechnology.com
Important: Always read and follow label and bag tag instructions; only those labeled as tolerant to glufosinate may be sprayed with glufosinate ammonium based herbicides.
Seed products with the LibertyLink® (LL) trait are resistant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium, an alternative to glyphosate in corn, and combine high-yielding genetics with the powerful, nonselective, postemergent weed control of Liberty® herbicide for optimum yield and excellent weed control. LibertyLink®, Liberty® and the Water Droplet logo are registered trademarks of Bayer.
Agrisure® Technology incorporated into these seeds is commercialized under license from Syngenta Seeds, Inc. Herculex® Technology incorporated into these seeds is commercialized under license from Dow AgroSciences LLC. HERCULEX® and the HERCULEX Shield are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC.
Agrisure®, Agrisure Artesian®, Artesian™, Agrisure Duracade®, Agrisure Viptera® and E-Z Refuge® are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.
Seeds containing the LibertyLink® trait may be protected under one or more U.S. patents and may be planted only to produce one (1) commercial crop in a single season, and only after signing a Bayer Grower Technology Agreement. It is illegal to save seeds containing the LibertyLink trait for use as planting seed or for transfer to others for use as planting seed.
®HERCULEX, and the HERCULEX Shield Logo and are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an
affiliated company of Dow. HERCULEX Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred.
Follow IRM, grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Seed products
with the LibertyLink® (LL) trait are resistant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium, an alternative to
glyphosate in corn, and combine high-yielding genetics with the powerful, non-selective, postemergent weed
control of Liberty® herbicide for optimum yield and excellent weed control. LibertyLink®, Liberty® and the
Water Droplet logo are registered trademarks of Bayer.
Dow AgroSciences is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Dow AgroSciences’ products are
commercialized in accordance with ETS product launch stewardship guidance, and Dow AgroSciences’ Product
Launch Stewardship Policy.
Before selecting hybrids for your crop plan, Dow AgroSciences recommends you know and understand whether
the hybrid you have chosen is a conventional hybrid, one approved for export or one not yet approved for
export. It is important that you consult your trait provider’s technical agreements prior to planting to understand
crop requirements and approved corn markets.
Any grain or material produced from Bt seed can only be exported to, or used in, processed in or sold in countries
where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law
to move material containing biotechnology traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted.
Talk to your grain handler or purchaser in advance to facilitate appropriate crop and grain or material handling
and marketing.
For further information about your crop or grain marketing options, contact Dow AgroSciences at 877-4-TRAITS
(877-487-2487). Information regarding the regulatory and market status of agricultural biotechnology
products can be found at:
biotradestatus.com.
Respect the Rotation is an initiative to elevate the importance and grower adoption of herbicide diversity to prevent or manage weed resistance. Glyphosate weed resistance is a dominating threat throughout the United States that affects land values, rental agreements, conservation tillage and can greatly reduce yields. The use of Integrated Weed Management practices, such as use of residuals, pre-emergence herbicides and rotation of crops, traits and herbicides, is critical as no one method is likely to be completely successful.
Caution: Do not spray E-Z Refuge products with Liberty Brand Herbicide. Agrisure, Agrisure Artesian, Artesian, Agrisure Duracade, Agrisure Viptera, Avicta, Concep, Cruiser, CruiserMaxx, E-Z Refuge and Maxim are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Agrisure Technology incorporated into these seeds is commercialized under license from Syngenta Seeds, Inc. Herculex Technology incorporated into these seeds is commercialized under license from Dow AgroSciences LLC. HERCULEX and the HERCULEX Shield are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC.
CruiserMaxx Corn 250 is an application of Cruiser 5FS insecticide delivered at the 0.25 mg a.i./seed rate and Maxim Quattro fungicide.
Avicta Complete Corn is a Restricted Use Pesticide. For use by certified applicators only. Growers planting Avicta treated seed are not required to be certified applicators. Avicta technology is protected by U.S. Patent No. 6,875,727. Avicta Complete Corn is an on-seed application of Avicta Complete Corn 250 or Avicta Complete Corn 500, alone or in combination with sufficient Cruiser 5FS to deliver 1.25 mg ai/seed of insecticide.
STS® logo is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. DuPont™ and
STS® are trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates. STS® is a tolerance gene that allows aggressive
rates of either Synchrony® XP herbicide or Harmony® SG herbicide tank mixed with glyphosate
in post, in-crop applications. This provides a simple, cost-effective weed control option for tough weeds such as
lambsquarters, marestail, morning glory, ragweeds, yellow nutsedge, and many other broadleaf or sedge
weeds in soybeans. Contact your local DuPont™ agriculture retailer or local sales representative for details.
Always read and follow all label directions and precautions for use.
Clearfield and Headline are registered trademarks of BASF Agrochemical Products B.V.
DuPont™, Express®, ExpressSun® and TotalSol® are trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
EXPRESSSUN® SUNFLOWER HERBICIDE SYSTEM: Sunflower hybrids with the DuPont™ ExpressSun® trait for tolerance to DuPont™ EXPRESS® herbicide with TotalSol® soluble granules. This unique sunflower system from DuPont and Pioneer is designed to maximize weed control in sunflower crops, enhancing ease of production and yield. This system provides improved weed control over conventional hybrids with traditional herbicides. For the best results, always use Express® herbicide with TotalSol® soluble granules with the ExpressSun® trait system.
®™Colex-D, Enlist, Enlist Duo, Enlist One, Enlist E3 and the Enlist Logos are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”) or affiliated companies of Dow or DuPont. The Enlist™ weed control system is owned and developed by Dow AgroSciences LLC. Enlist E3 soybeans were jointly developed by Dow AgroSciences and MS Technologies. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are not registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your area. Enlist Duo and Enlist One herbicides are the only 2,4-D products authorized for use in Enlist crops. Consult Enlist herbicide labels for weed species controlled. Always read and follow label directions.