Field planters are towed behind tractors and are designed to sow seeds of all types. Every planter has a toolbar that can feature one row unit to as many as 48 units, and each of these devices has at least one wheel and a large bin that contains seeds. Most row units that are attached to older planters feature a second bucket that is designed to hold fertilizer. Here are the planter parts common to field planters:
The Plates - Each seeder features a plate with a particular number of teeth. The optimal size of the notches depends on the dimensions of the seeds that are being sown and the rate at which the seeds will be released. The more notches a plate features, the more swiftly the device will be able to deliver fresh seeds.
The Toolbar - This long component will be attached to each of the row units. To calculate the length of the toolbar that a field planter needs, the customer has to measure the total width of all of the row units. Next, the distance between each of the units must be determined, and most planters that are used in the United States have a space of 30 inches between the row units.
The widths of the row markers should also be calculated. Finally, the buyer must add the sums of these three calculations to determine the minimum required length of the toolbar. Furthermore, some bars can be connected to navigation systems and the majority of toolbars are able to be folded to allow farmers to store them more easily.
Navigation Systems & Auto-Steer - A GPS will ensure that the planter follows a straight path, and an automated system can provide the boundaries of a field and create virtual field markers. Certain devices also offer the flow rate of new seeds and the volume of seeds in each bin. Moreover, these systems record historical data and information about previous settings.
Gauge Wheels - The position of gauge wheels determines how deeply the planter can penetrate into the field. Each of the wheels that are situated underneath the row units must be the same size as the others. A wheel that has incurred damage or become lopsided can cause the toolbar to tilt, and as a result, the flow rate of the seeds will be modified.
Seed Tubes - Located under the row unit, these tubes allow seeds to be precisely placed in a chosen position within a row. Frequently, a seed can hit the sensor and fail to exit the tube, and subsequently, several seeds will be released from the device when only one seed should be pushed out of the cylinder. To prevent this, the sensor should be placed at the top of the curved tube. Furthermore, many farmers report that optical sensors must be thoroughly cleaned every day because dust or dirt can easily activate the devices.
Closing Wheels – The press wheels must be positioned in the center of the furrow. Closing wheels can seal the trench without damaging the walls of the furrow, and they will be able to remove pockets of air that may be located directly underneath the trench. The wheels should apply a higher level of downward pressure to soil that is wet than to dry, loose dirt.
At Wearparts LLC, we offer a full range of planter parts as well as the tillage tools you need for success – disc blades, coulters, knives and more. Visit us today or call 1-888-4-BLADES to learn more.
