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PUBLICATION DEDICATED TO MAXIMIZING YIELD POTENTIAL
No-till Planting
Trouble Shooting Guide
√ Preliminary Checklist for all Planters regardless
of Make and Model
It is recommended that the following items be checked
before planting:
- Make sure tire pressure on the planter is set to the
operator manual's recommendations
- Make sure the seed double disc openers are set properly
and not excessively worn
- Remember to plant with the planter frames and planter
units level with the soil
- When planting make sure the planter hitch is set no lower
than the recommended height as stated in the planter's
operator manual
- Make sure the soil is not too wet. If the soil is too
wet, any coulter attachments on the planter will not be
able to adequately break up the soil, and the closing wheels
will merely pack the damp soil over the seed instead of
effectively firming it. As a result, the potential drying
and cracking of the seed trench may leave the seed bed exposed
and possibly effect seed germination.
- Make sure the soil has had sufficient time to warm up.
IF time and weather permit, it may be necessary to delay
planting for an additional period of time compared to conventional
tillage practices.
Illustration
I. – Planter which has been
leveled
Notice the planter frames and the planter
boxes are level with the soil. It is very important for the
planter to be level when no-till planting. In most cases,
the planter will be outfitted with one or more attachments
to enhance the performance of the planter under no-till conditions.
These attachments are designed to operate in a specific range
of depth (notice in the above illustration that the
unit mounted coulter is running ½” above the seed
double disc openers wile the frame mounted fertilizer coulter
is running at a depth of 3 ½ ”). These are ideal
depths and are only obtainable when the planter is level.
Also notice that seed placement is consistent.
Illustration
II. – Planter which has not
been leveled For conventional tillage practices this configuration will
work, however, this is not the case with no-till farming.
With the planter in this position, the unit mounted coulter
is running below the seed double disc openers, and the frame
mounted fertilizer coulter is running at a depth greater
than 3 ½”. These depths are not recommended as they
will greatly affect the performance of each attachment. For
example, with the unit mounted coulter running below the
seed double disc openers, the formation of air pockets below
the seed is very likely. Also, notice from the illustration
that seed placement is erratic.
√ In-the-field
Checklist for all Planters regardless of Make and Model
It is recommended, while in the field,
the following periodic checks be made to ensure the effectiveness
of your planter and planting methods:
- Make sure the closing wheels are adequately closing the
seed trench. The closing wheels require a certain amount
of loose soil in order to effectively close the seed trench.
- Make sure the planter frames and planter units are level
with the soil. This is done while the planter is lowered
in its normal planting position. An unleveled planter can
cause one or two things. First, it may prevent the closing
wheels from sufficiently firming the seed trench. Second,
it may force the unit mounted coulters too deep into the
soil causing them to work soil at a level below seed placement.
This may result in the formation of air pockets below the
seed which may effect the germination of the seed.
For the following some soil may need to
be removed from the top of the seed trench for visual verification .
- Make sure there is good soil to seed contact.
- Make sure the seed is planted deep enough and in a moist
seedbed.
- Make sure residue is not being hairpinned into the seed
trench. Residue which becomes lodged in the seed trench,
will tend to draw moisture out and away from the seed.
| Problem |
Possible Cause |
Possible Remedy |
| Seed trench not closing
|
Insufficient down pressure on the closing
wheels |
Increase the down pressure on the closing
wheels |
The unit mounted coulters are not providing
enough soil disturbance |
Ensure that in operation the
planter hitch is set to the correct height (consult
the planter's operator manual)
Use wavy coulter blade
Adjust coulter blade no deeper than seeding depth
Install spike closing wheels |
Poor soil to seed contact |
The planter unit and or frame mounted
coulters are running too deep |
Properly adjust coulter height & ensure
that in operation the planter hitch is set to the correct
height |
| The double disc openers are excessively
worn |
Replace the openers |
| The soil is too wet |
Allow the soil time to dry |
Seed being planted too
shallow |
Excessive down pressure on the closing
wheels |
Decrease the down pressure on the closing
wheels |
The planter needs additional ballast |
Add ballast to the planter |
The double disc fertilizer openers
are causing too much soil disturbance in the path of
the seed double disc opener gauge wheels |
Double disc fertilizer openers should
be mounted a minimum distance of 2 ½” – 3” from
either side of the row or the planter should be equipped
with single disc fertilizer openers |
Damp soil is collecting on the seed
double disc opener gauge wheels |
Allow the soil time to dry |
| Planter unit depth is improperly set |
Adjust the depth setting of the planter
unit |
Erratic seed placement |
Excessive residue in the seed trench |
Use a residue clearing device |
| Low tire pressure |
Inflate tires to the recommended psi |
Excessive speed causing the planter
unit and the unit mounted coulters to bounce |
Decrease planting speed and increase
down pressure spring tension |
Dry drive chains causing jerky movement |
Lubricate drive chains |
Planter unit bounce |
Add ballast to the planter |
Starter fertilizer is not being placed
in the proper zone by the double disc fertilizer openers |
Most double disc fertilizer openers
are not built for pinpoint fertilizer placement |
Equip planter with single disc fertilizer
openers for pinpoint fertilizer placement |
Row markers are not leaving a visible
mark |
Row markers are too light or incorrect
marker blade setting is being used |
Use a notched marker blade or reset
angle of marker blades |
Notice – The information
contained in this guide is offered in good faith by Yetter
Mfg. Co to further the understanding of no-till farming.
However, the use of the information provided is beyond the
control of Yetter Mfg. Co and in no case shall Yetter Mfg
Co or any seller of its products be responsible for any damages
which may occur from the use of this information. All such
risks shall be assumed by the user.
Yetter Manufacturing Inc.
109 S. McDonough
Colchester, Illinois 62326
Phone:800-447-5777
FAX: 309-776-3222
www.yetterco.com
E-mail:info@yetterco.com |
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