PFR data indicates that the proper closing wheel varies depending on your soil type and planting conditions. However, nearly all aftermarket closing wheels have performed better than the two solid rubber wheels that come standard on most planters.

Closing the seed trench and optimizing seed-to-soil contact is essential for uniform emergence, which leads to higher yields. When planting conditions are not ideal, spiked closing wheels help crumble the sidewall and can eliminate tomahawk roots.

PFR data indicates that the proper closing wheel varies depending on soil type and planting conditions. Consider after-market closing wheels as nearly all options have performed better than the two solid rubber wheels that come standard on many planters.

Closing wheels need to maintain consistent pitch and ground contact to successfully close the furrow. Standard closing wheel tails have limited travel, so when they move up, the pitch of the closing wheels gets wider. Likewise, when they move down, they can struggle to close as they were designed.

3-Year Multi-Location Closing Wheel Systems Yield Average

Most of our plots are located on uniform, flat ground. Consider using these systems on fields with more rolling topography, as we expect the benefits would be more pronounced.

STP disc openers have a serrated edge; one opener is a little smaller in diameter than the other. Together, these differences provide some tillage in the seed trench and can also lift and fracture the sidewall, alleviating compaction from the gauge wheels.

3-Year Multi-Location STP Disc Openers Bu./A. Difference

Installing a hydraulic downforce system is one of the best improvements you can make to your planter. DeltaForce® from Precision Planting is a row-by-row control hydraulic downforce system that adjusts quickly as conditions change. We've observed its benefits when lift pressure is required in a specific area of a field, and a spring system could not provide the lift or enough range for all conditions within that field.

3-Year Multi-Location Deltaforce® Bu./A. Difference

If you currently have a spring system and want to upgrade, we suggest bypassing an air system and upgrading to a hydraulic system.

2X2X2 Systems: Fertility On Both Sides Of The Row At Planting

Feeding and building the roots on both sides of the plant will provide a more stable anchor and allow it to access more of the soil profile. In addition, there are limits on salt loading near the seed, but by utilizing this system, our data shows that farmers can increase their early-season nitrogen and increase yield.

4-Year Multi-Locations Starter Placement Yield Average

Safe levels of salt (N + K2Olb./A.) to apply to corn as a function of soil texture and placement.

Commonly used starter fertilizer products expressed as pounds of salt effect/gal. relative to 10-34-0.

4-Year Multi-Location Nitrogen Placement Yield Average

Banding nitrogen on both sides of the row has been one of the most consistent nitrogen practices we have tested in PFR.

Increasing your planting speed from 5 mph to 8 mph is a cost-efficient way to cover nearly the same amount of ground as adding a second planter or buying a bigger planter.

Utilize these technologies to increase your planting speed and maximize the acres covered during your prime planting window without sacrificing yield.

3-Year Multi-Location Planting Speed - Speedtube® Yield Average

3-Year Multi-Location Planting Speed - Surespeed® Yield Average

3-Year Multi-Location Planting Speed - ExactEmerge™ Yield Average

Tillage and soil type will play a role in determining the best wheel for your operation, but nearly all after-market closing wheels have performed better than two solid rubber wheels.

Invest in after-market closing wheels. They are easy to install, have a quick payoff, and are a must-have in marginal planting conditions.

In fields with more rolling topography, a closing wheel system may prove beneficial over a standard closing wheel setup.

Utilize a closing wheel system to allow for more up and down range of movement and to maintain ground contact and the ideal closing wheel pitch.

STP disc openers have a serrated edge, and one opener is a little smaller in diameter than the other. Together, these differences provide some tillage in the seed trench and can also lift and fracture the sidewall, alleviating compaction from the gauge wheels.

3-Year Multi-Location STP Disc Openers Bu./A. Difference Average

Hydraulic downforce systems help ensure that every seed is planted at the proper depth and with the correct bulk density around the seed. Hydraulic downforce is superior to spring and pneumatic downforce in its ability to respond as conditions and downforce requirements change throughout the field.

3-Year Multi-Location Deltaforce® Yield Average

When upgrading your planter, hydraulic downforce should be high on the priority list, especially for farmers who no-till their soybeans.

Row cleaners move residue out of the way of the planter gauge wheels. It is also crucial that the residue is removed ahead of the seed disc openers to prevent any hair-pinning of residue.

Install a system that allows quick and easy row cleaner adjustment from the tractor cab to ensure proper setting and performance as field conditions change.

Singulation creates the space each plant needs to branch to its fullest genetic potential. This allows for uniform stand establishment, maximizing sunlight collection, and driving increased yield potential.

PFR Proven

PFR Proven - Planter Attachments

Use whenever the name of a PFR Study mentions Closing Wheel, Downforce, Row Cleaner, Speedtube, Seed Firmer, Disc Opener, and/or 3RIVE