The Leading Edge - Issue 37

Maximize the benefits of your fertilizer by ensuring that your plants continue to receive the nutrients they need throughout the growing season. Placing fertilizer at the root zone serves to provide the nourishment the growing plant will need, but precision placement is not always enough. When fertilizer is not sealed in, its effectiveness can be compromised by the elements. Rain and wind erosion are often responsible for carrying fertilizer away to undesired locations and reducing your bottom line. Volatilization is another common method of fertilizer loss.

16” smooth blade Disc Sealer

To eliminate this concern, a wide variety of sealing options are available. The most popular and effective option is the use of disc sealers, which can be specked with various blade configurations. Wheel sealers are recommended for specialized applications where a level soil surface is desired. Either style is spring loaded to follow the soil surface.

16” notch blade Disc Sealer	First, determine what the sealer needs to accomplish—Would you like for it to build a berm of soil by catching the soil and rolling it back to seal the trench? Would it be better for the sealer to seal the knife slot while leaving the soil relatively level? Asking yourself these questions will help you select the perfect sealer for your unique production agriculture operation.
If a berm is the goal keep in mind both the height and width are influenced by many factors. Ground speed, type of knife, direction of blade concavity, and distance between the blades all need to be considered in order to achieve the results that are right for you.	Berms left by sealers
Disc sealer blades are sensitive to ground speed, so it is imperative that consistent, adequate speed be maintained by matching available horsepower to applicator draft. The disc sealer blade concavity positioned towards the direction of travel results in maximum soil movement. This position provides the best mounding of the soil for higher berms. Disc sealer blade concavity in an inverted "V" position (towards the direction of travel) results in minimum soil movement. This position is best suited for rolling the loose soil disrupted by the knife back over the trench for sealing while leaving more residue intact on the soil surface of the berm.
	Wheel sealers use a pair 16” diameter wheels slanted in at the bottom to pinch the knife slot closed and are best suited for use with a very narrow knife profile. This type of sealer is commonly used in applications.
When choosing a sealer, look for a versatile product that works well in conjunction with a wide variety of shanks. The Max Sealer Plus™ is an independent floating sealer. Some models, like the Yetter Max Sealer Plus™ disc sealer, can be paired with 18” smooth, notched, 18” shallow wave, and 18” wave blades.
Notched disc sealer blades are very aggressive and ideal for use in heavy residue applications. Smooth disc sealer blades can be used in all applications and provide minimal soil movement. By matching the right sealer to your operation you can achieve a higher return on your fertilizer investment.


Visit www.yetterco.com to review past issues of The Leading Edge and Yetter products that maximize your yield potential.

Notice – The information contained in this guide is offered in good faith by Yetter Mfg. Co., Inc. to further the understanding of no-till farming. However, the use of the information provided is beyond the control of Yetter Mfg. Co., Inc. and in no case shall Yetter Mfg. Co., Inc. 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.