When everything is tightened and tuned, hook your attachment to the tractor and take it for a test spin around the field. If the mark produced by pulling forward 5 feet on concrete isn’t centered between the closing wheels, adjust.

Grease up moving parts and examine seed tubes to ensure they’re not worn.Īdjust or replace gauge wheels that fail to wipe the opening disc cleanly, and check the closing wheel adjustment. (If a pencil placed on top of the planter/seeder rolls off the back, you’ve got it right.) Pump up low tires and, if necessary, adjust the toolbar so it’s positioned slightly uphill. Levelness can be affected by many things, including tire differences and a change in tractor. Many manufacturers recommend the toolbar sit about 22 inches from the ground. Check It Outįirst, check the height of your planter or seeder. So before you roll your attachment out to the field, take some time to perform a few basic checks. No matter the seeds you plant and the terminology for the machine you use, you need the attachment to work at peak performance for reasons of efficiency and safety. (To learn the basic principles and pricing of farm equipment and machinery that might be good investments for your farm, see our post called Names of Farm Equipment.) Seeders (otherwise known as drills) are used to put grains into the ground. The term planter is generally used when speaking about a tractor attachment designed to plant corn and legumes. What’s in a name? In the case of planters versus seeders, it’s less about the machines (they’re similar in purpose and design) than the chore.

Hobby farm machinery for sale