Expert shows how to get the best adjustment of your grain planter

Once the soybean and corn harvesting period is over, the time comes when rural producers begin to think about planting the next harvest – and a high-performance harvest begins with good planning. Considering that any agricultural operation depends on the equipment, environmental conditions and the skills of those who operate the machine, one of the first and most important steps in this process is a good adjustment of the planter used.

There are several models of planters on the Brazilian market, with different systems and operational capabilities. Pneumatic planters prepared for precision agriculture and equipped with items such as vSet, from Precision Planting, will bring more competitive advantages when planting. Even so, it is vital that the farmer understands that it is better to invest a few hours in maintaining and preparing the machinery before planting, rather than starting sowing without correctly adjusting the equipment.

A misadjustment in the planter can result in low quality planting and, consequently, a low germination rate, directly affecting productivity. Studies indicate that inadequate sowing can result in losses of greater than 40% in the productivity of different crops. Furthermore, it is good to remember that planting windows have become increasingly shorter and any setbacks must be avoided. Therefore, we have prepared a series of tips for rural producers to get the best out of their planter and obtain the best possible level of uniformity and plant population in their fields.

1 - First of all, plan the planting

It may seem complex to talk about “planting planning”. In agronomic terms, it would be, but in relation to the machine, the important thing is to prepare it well before taking it to the field. Many farmers just take the machine out of the shed after the off-season and put it to work. There is no point investing heavily in technology without investing time and care in the equipment. A general inspection must be carried out on the machinery in order to check for broken or worn parts that require replacement. It is important to pay special attention to the dosing section.

2 - Cleaning is basic and fundamental

The most zealous farmer, at the end of planting, washes and stores his planter well covered with canvas, to protect the pieces from dust. Many fertilizers are corrosive and can wear out parts of the planter that contain residue. But all this still does not exempt the farmer from repeating the precautions before starting the next harvest. There are also other components that require special care, such as the optical sensors of the seed conductors, which must be cleaned so that dirt does not interfere with the electronic reading of the grains.

3 - Lubrication requires attention (and quality grease)

Increasingly, modern planters have evolved into systems that facilitate lubrication. Valtra's new planter, the Momentum, has just one lubrication point and saves the farmer the inglorious – but essential – task of lubricating several parts of the equipment. Some planters have up to 14 lubrication points per planting line and, in some cases, require more grease every 20 hours. Regardless of the equipment's level of technology, the farmer should favor a high-quality brand of grease for lubrication. This is what will reduce the need for applications. A good application will prevent rust and wear on the planter parts, in addition to providing better functioning of the cutting discs. A disc without lubrication will require more force for traction and, consequently, will increase fuel consumption.

4 - Adjust the cutting disc and grooves well

A detail that few pay attention to is the adjustment of the cutting disc. The different types of straw directly influence the performance of this section of the machine - some require less pressure to cut. A classic problem during the planting phase is imprecision in seed depth. Favoring pneumatic planters will practically eliminate the problem and generate a competitive advantage for the farmer, as long as it is well regulated. A well-adjusted planter is capable of opening the planting furrow and launching the seed at the correct depth.

5 - A well-adjusted seed meter will be decisive

There are several types of seed dosers on the market. The most common are still mechanics. But the market has been evolving daily and the migration to pneumatic dosers, such as vSet, from Precision Planting, has been happening faster than imagined. The planting quality that these dosers can offer, guaranteeing almost perfect levels of singulation, that is, the elimination of failed and double seeds, is the main attraction for the farmer.

For the best use of pneumatic dosers, it is essential that the discs, ejectors and singulators are configured according to the crop used. A great advantage of vSet is having only one disk per culture, regardless of its size. After correctly installing the seed distributor culture kits, you need to connect them to the reservoirs. Finally, check that the vacuum complies with the manufacturer's instructions. This should prevent leaks in the vacuum system that could reduce the pressure in certain lines, affecting singulation. In case of leaks, it is worth checking whether the rubber seal behind the discs is in good condition.

 Vinícius Gehlen

AGCO Implements Product Marketing Supervisor