Are you ready to plant?

Proper planter maintenance is critical for correctly placing seed into the ground when planting begins. Farmers need to take care of maintenance now before the planting window opens.

As a Precision Planting dealer, Premier Ag is positioned to help you with planter preparation. We use MeterMax test stands to properly evaluate seed meter operation. If necessary, we are equipped to rebuild those meters with Precision Planting parts for maximum performance. We also have access to a complete line of Precision Planting parts for your planter including the latest in variable rate technology, row control, planter down pressure, and planter monitoring.

Follow these 10 planter preparation tips to maximize the return on every square foot of your field:

1. Level the Planter Check hitch height. Make sure the planter’s tool bar is level (vertically) or running slightly up hill.

2. Check Bushings and Parallel Linkage. Worn bushings increase row bounce which increases seed bounce. Stand behind the row unit and wiggle it up and down and back and forth checking to make sure bushings are tight.

3. Drive System Check every chain. Kinked chains cause shock and vibration in the meter. Start with fresh, lubricated chains and check them daily.

4. Calibrate Corn Meters. Take your meters and samples of your seed to a certified MeterMax representative to optimize performance.

5. Double Disk Openers. Test to make sure there is good contact between the double disks. In general, the disks must be more that 14.5” in diameter and disk contact should be approximately 2”.

6. Seed Tubes. Inspect seed tubes for wear at the bottom. Frequently, the tubes will have a small dog ear flap on the left side of the seed tube. Replace them.

7. Closing Wheel System. Consider an alternative to rubber closing wheels. For cool, moist planting conditions, take a look at running one spike wheel (15”) and one rubber wheel (13”). For no-till, an even more aggressive approach may improve trench closing. Two 13” spike
wheels with a drag chain provide the most aggressive action.

8. Closing Wheel Alignment. With your planter setting on a concrete, pull ahead about five feet. Look at the mark left behind the planter by the double disk openers. The mark should run right down the centerline between closing wheels.

9. Row Cleaners. With higher levels of residue and more corn on corn, almost any planter can benefit from well adjusted row cleaners. Make sure row cleaners gently sweep residue – you don’t want to move soil, just residue.

10. Improve Germination with Seed Firmers. Keeton Seed Firmers promote uniform germination by improving depth control and seed to soil contact.

With Premier Ag’s TRAX program, we can help you prepare for planting. Exclusive to Premier Ag, TRAX harnesses the powerful combination of agronomy and technology to help create a precise crop management plan designed exclusively for your specific needs.
TRAX is the perfect fit for producers who are interested in a powerful–yet affordable–crop management system that increases efficiencies, conserves resources, cuts costs, and increases yield.

For more information about TRAX visit www.premierag.com/trax, or contact our TRAX Technology Specialist, Brent Geis, at bgeis@premierag.com or 812-593-7859.