Great Plains NTA3010 Operator Manual - Manual (Page 22)

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Section 3 Adjustments
NTA3010 and NTA3510 Air Drill Implement SN Z1370- 160-219M 8/14/
Great Plains Mfg., Inc.
Section 3
Adjustments
Seeding Depth
To correctly adjust seeding depth, you need a good under-
standing of how the coulters, openers and press wheels
work. The following is an introduction to how the no-till
coulter and double-disk openers are designed to control
planting depth.
Coulters
A no-till coulter is mounted independent and directly
ahead of each opener. Each coulter cuts through heavy
trash to make a groove in the soil for the openers. The
coulters are mounted on the frame, so coulter cutting
depth changes as the drill is raised and lowered. Coulter
down force can be changed by adjusting coulter spring
length, adding weights, moving the hydraulic depth stop,
or changing the height of individual coulter mounts. Refer
to Coulter Adjustments, this page, for information on how
to make these adjustments.
Openers
The openers are mounted on the implement frame with
parallel links. This allows the opener arms to move up and
down while keeping the openers in-line with the coulters.
This parallel-action mounting also maintains the contact
point throughout the opener’s depth range. Opener double
disks widen the coulter groove to make a seed bed. A seed
tube mounted between the disks delivers seed to the
trench. The down force needed by each opener to cut and
widen the coulter groove is supplied by two springs nested
in the parallel linkage. Adjusting these springs changes
opener down-force. Refer to Opener Adjustment, page 22,
for information on how to make this adjustment. When
making seeding depth adjustments, keep in mind that
openers will not run any deeper than coulters till the soil.
Press Wheels
Attached to the rear of each opener is one of several op-
tional press wheels. The press wheel provides two impor-
tant functions.
First, the press wheels close the furrow, gently pressing
the soil over the seed. To provide consistent seed firming,
the press wheels are free to move downward from the nor-
mal operating position. This system maintains pressing
action even if the opener arm is lifted when the disks en-
counter obstructions.
Second, the press wheels provide opener depth control.
The higher the press wheels run relative to the double
disks, the deeper seed will be placed. To maintain a con-
sistent depth, upward press wheel movement is restricted
by an independently adjustable stop on each opener. Re-
fer to Press Wheel Adjustment, page 21, for information on
how to make this adjustment.
Coulter Adjustments
The air drill is factory assembled so that when the coulters
are set to run 2 inches deep, the seeding depth is approx-
imately 1 inch. This is a good baseline setting for most
seeding conditions. You have the option of changing set-
tings on the entire implement or individual coulters as field
conditions warrant.
!
WARNING!
Crushing hazard. You may be severely injured or killed if the im-
plement falls on or runs over you during maintenance. Always
turn off tractor and remove the key before making any adjust-
ments or performing maintenance. Securely block and install
transport locks on raised implement before working under or
around it.
Hydraulic Depth Control
The lift cylinders on the implement control coulter depth. A
valve in the hydraulic line on the left-wing, gauge-wheel
cylinder regulates depth. Figure 3-1 shows the valve and
knob used to adjust coulter depth.
Figure 3-1
Wing Gauge-Wheel Cylinder Depth Control Stop
Turn the knob clockwise to lower the coulters. Each clock-
wise rotation will lower the coulters about 3/16 inch. Make
depth adjustments with the implement slightly raised. After
adjusting the valve, raise and lower the implement several
times and recheck coulter depth.
Raise Coulters
Lower Coulters
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