Strips after planting with coulter
and residue manager

Planter in field position
 

If not, you may need to be more attentive to your planter frame settings. Even the highest quality planter and attachments cannot perform at their optimal level when they are not properly set and adjusted. It is absolutely imperative to check settings regularly and adjust appropriately. When this is overlooked, not only does your equipment fail to perform to your standards, it may even become damaged.

Failure to properly set the planter frame height and level will result in less than successful operation of the planter and toolbar attachments.

Leveling the planter is the most important part of the adjustment process. With the planter lowered to proper operating height (consult owners manual for proper height setting), check to be sure that the planter frame and row unit parallel arms are level. Field and actual planting conditions change and will dictate planter frame heights. Planter toolbars and row unit parallel arms must be level side-to-side and front-to-rear. Once the planter is in the field and has been fully loaded with seed, fertilizer, etc., this leveling process should be repeated to ensure that the settings are still accurate.

It is also smart to conduct a field check of the hitch height with a bubble level on the toolbar frame to ensure level operation from front to back. Check the manufacturer’s operator’s manual for instructions on how to adjust the frame height and level. It is crucial for the planter to operate level laterally and follow ground contours precisely.

Planter attachment performance can be greatly impacted by planter frame height settings. For example, residue managers must be operated level and at the correct frame height for the planter. In order to ensure this, frequent checks on planter frame height may be needed.

Planter toolbar running level in the field

Fertilizer coulter with Coulter and
Residue Manager combination

 
Residue managers should not engage the soil. If the soil is engaged, it is being moved to the middle of the row along with any pre-applied herbicides, which is clearly counterproductive. This will also cause the residue manager’s fingers to create downsloping walls in the seedbed, allowing erratic seed placement and creating a trench into which heavy rain will drain and carry away seeds, soil, fertilizer, and herbicides.

 
If the wheels are going beyond the residue and disturbing the soil, adjustment is needed. Remember that it is not necessary to clear away 100% of the residue. Doing so would necessitate engaging the soil and put plants at risk. The width of path cleared depends on ground conditions, depth setting, and ground speed.

Checking planter and attachment settings should be performed regularly to enhance performance and ensure equipment longevity. Adjustment is often needed to get the most out of your equipment. Leveling the planter is the most important step regardless of what kind of attachment you are using. It is also essential to check individual attachments, such as coulters and residue managers, to ensure optimal performance.

In addition, there is no substitution for frequent visual inspection of seed depth and spacing during the planting operation. This assures the planter is set for peak performance.