The planter pass is the most important pass of the growing season. This planter checklist can help ensure proper maintenance and adjustments of your planter equipment are completed to help maximize your performance this spring. Always reference the owner’s manual for exact specifications and recommended settings.

For a deeper dive into how you can prepare your planter and set yourself up for a trouble-free season, check out this episode of The DIG.

When the parallel arm components become worn, the corn planter row-unit can move excessively, increasing meter chatter (causing skips/doubles), leading to erratic seed placement, open seed trenches, and air pockets within the furrow.

With the planter raised while holding on to the rear of the row-unit, check for:

Aim for less than 0.5 in. play in the row unit

Ensure bolts, bushings, and arms are tight and not worn

Typically arms are softer than the bushing

Upgrade to a kit that has a bushing pressed into the arm for longer life

Upgrade kit (Check with local Kinze Dealer)

It’s unlikely that just replacing the bushings will solve the problem long-term, so regular inspection is recommended.

DISC OPENERS, NO-TILL COULTERS, AND ROW CLEANERS: 

Clearing residue and creating a proper V-shaped seed trench promotes uniform planting depth, can enhance seed-to-soil contact, and improve emergence.

Check the condition and wear of disc openers: A 15 in. opener should be replaced at 14.5 in. or when the bevel is at 1/2 of its original measurement.

Adjust your planter disc opener setting so that the contact is within the recommended range. Make sure the opener is set to that range at several contact points.

Too tight of blade-to-blade contact will generate excessive side load on the bearings, leading to premature wear and failure.

Too loose of blade-to-blade contact can cause a “W” shaped trench, resulting in inconsistent seed depth and uneven emergence.

If replacing seed disc openers, also replace the seed tube guard. An in-spec guard will help form the bottom of the seed trench by reducing opener flex and help reduce excessive side load on opener bearings. The seed tube guard also protects the seed and high-speed seed tubes.

No-till coulters should maintain 0.25 in. clearance above the disc openers depth.

Properly adjusted row cleaners should move residue and clods, not soil. Adjust them so they don't dig a trench but rather provide a smooth and clean environment for the seed trench and gauge wheels.

Gauge wheels should be set so that they lightly contact/scrub the seed disc openers.

If set too loose in dry planting conditions, dry soil can drop from the inside of the gauge wheels into the seed trench.

If set too tight, the gauge wheel tires will experience premature wear.

Make sure the gauge wheel arms and studs are not worn. Below are links for after-market gauge wheel kits:

 This vital step will find any row-to-row variance with depth settings.

Set the planter down with the disc openers resting on concrete, and the planting depth set as deep as possible.

Simulate the desired 2 in. planting depth by placing a 2 in. block under both gauge wheels.

While the row unit is on the blocks, set it shallower until the depth mechanism makes contact and can no longer move the depth handle.

Complete this across all row units and mark this depth setting on all rows.

Now that the planter is uniform from row to row, check the planting depth and adjust accordingly in the field.

 to watch a video demonstrating this process

Parts to check and replace if an extreme variance is found:

Planter manufacturers use different depth mechanisms, and these parts will wear/can cause variance in planting depth from row to row. Parts include gauge wheel arms, d-rings, depth equalizers, and more.

 for a kit to fix gauge wheel arms if they are worn at the depth stop.

 Meter calibration is essential to achieving a picket fence stand. Worn/broken seed tubes will cause poor spacing and erratic seed placement in the furrow.

Scarring on the sides of the seed tube is typically caused by a worn seed tube guard. Replace them if you see scarring.

Run these meters on a stand to check for wear and ensure they are calibrated.

Seals around the meter can become worn and will prevent an airtight seal.

If you are having singulation issues with vacuum meters, check the above parts for wear.

Check for rough spinning bearings and failures.

Inspect meter drive chains for wear and movement on the sprockets (worn sprockets or chains can cause the meter to jump).

At the end of the season, remove seed discs for storage.

Speed tubes: Certain brands of speed tubes require removing the belt or brush for storage.

Properly closing the seed trench provides good seed-to-soil contact without causing sidewall compaction. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper spacing.

Adjust the closing wheels to ensure they are centered directly over the seed trench.

Make sure the closing wheels are spaced per manufacturers' recommendations.

Check the closing wheel pivot for wear. 

 for an updated kit that can prevent wear in the future.

Bulk seed systems are great for quick fill and easy seed handling, but if not properly serviced, they can cause planting issues.

Check the hopper and seal for wear or cracks that would cause a loss of tank pressure.

Ensure the agitator inside is functioning properly to avoid seed bridging in the tank.

Check that the manifold and seed delivery hoses are clear of debris and seal properly.

Ensure that seed delivery hoses do not sag. When filling a bulk-fill planter for the first time, use a higher rate of graphite/talc mix so there will be enough distribution in the tank, hoses, row units, and meters.

Inspect the hydraulic system for leaks and wear on hoses, valves, and remotes.

Check the hydraulic cylinders for wear and leaks and ensure the planter raises and lowers smoothly.

Set the tractor and planter tires to the proper PSI. Consult your operator’s manual for the correct specs.

Check the overall condition of the toolbar, hitch, markers, etc., for cracks and worn parts. Repair or replace when necessary.

 Monitor and technology issues have become the number one cause of delays on the first day of planting.

Update all software to the latest version.

Connect all technology systems and ensure everything is communicating properly.

Clear out last year’s data to avoid confusion when planting the new crop.

Upload new prescriptions and test before the first day of planting.

Keep consistent client/farm/field names from different passes throughout the season. This will ensure easier access and analysis of data.

Check the depth of each individual row to ensure they are planting at a consistent depth.

Check and adjust the downforce settings for the conditions in the field:

Chain up the closing wheels and plant around 100 ft. without seed

If it has already collapsed, the downforce is too low; if the trench is extremely compact, then the downforce is too high.

Evaluate closing wheel pressure and performance: Take a paint scraper and place it in the seed trench perpendicular to it, then dig away from the scraper, then remove the scraper. Check for air pockets and good seed-to-soil contact.

Ensure the seed population matches what the monitor is displaying.

A level planter bar will allow the row units and equipment to operate as engineered.

Leveling the bar should be the first adjustment made in the field. It may require a second person because the toolbar needs to be leveled while planting.