Blog › Planter Maintenance List- Week 2
Planter Maintenance List- Week 2
Posted March 25, 2025
Join us for week 2 of our Planter Maintenance List! let's dive right in!
Disk Openers
Proper disk opener maintenance is essential for consistent seed placement and emergence. Replace disk openers once they wear ½ inch from their original diameter to prevent seed shoe wear. Ensure 1-2 inches of contact for most row units to create a clean V-shaped furrow, adjusting shims as needed using the business card test. On Case, IH Early Riser planters offset disk openers should have no more than a ⅛-inch gap, and the furrow-forming point should be checked with a gauge to maintain accurate planting depth. Regular inspection and adjustments help prevent yield loss.
Gauge Wheel Shimming
Uniform emergence depends on consistent moisture around each seed, which can be affected by improper gauge wheel shimming. To check, lift the gauge wheel to the planting position and pull away to detect slope—worn arms should be replaced with OEM or aftermarket parts. Properly shimmed gauge wheels should create a tight seal against the disk opener while still rotating freely. This ensures a scrubbing action that prevents dry soil from caving into the trench and causing delayed emergence.
Depth Adjustment Linkage
Checking the depth adjustment linkage for wear is crucial to maintaining accurate planting depth. Inspect the depth adjustment handle, depth stop, and gauge wheel arm for excessive wear, divots, or slop, as these issues can cause planting depths to be deeper than intended. While linkage designs may vary, all planters rely on metal-to-metal contact that wears differently across the machine, making regular inspections essential for consistent seed placement.
Closing wheel spacing and Alignment
Ensuring proper furrow closure is key to good seed-to-soil contact and uniform emergence. Start by checking for excessive side-to-side motion in the closing tail and replacing bushings or mounting holes if needed. Align the closing wheels by rolling the planter on concrete and adjusting as necessary. Maintain a 2 ½-inch spacing between closing wheels to fully encapsulate the seed without air gaps or an open furrow. Test pressure consistency using a bathroom scale under each row unit, ensuring springs have uniform tension. In the field, check closure by cutting a trench cross-section to confirm proper seed coverage without overpacking. ͏