Great Plains 3P4025AH Operator Manual User Manual
Page 79
Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
Troubleshooting
75
2014-07-29
411-099M
Population Related
Problem
Cause
Solution
Overall
Population
Alarms
False alarms or actual rate
errors due to monitor setup with
incorrect [active] row count or
spacing
When troubleshooting population issues, always first rule out
seed monitor setup. Review planter configuration and monitor
setup.
Incorrect cell count
Replace seed disks with correct disks, or reset rate for current
disks (if within range).
Improper gap on magnetic
speed sensor.
Check speed sensor on planter for a gap to toothed wheel of:
1
⁄
32
inch (0.020-0.040 inch, 0.5-1.0 mm). Improper gap can
cause erratic speed signal causing monitor to falsely report
improper planting rate.
Incorrect speed sensor constant Perform speed calibration per monitor manual.
(Option) Incorrect radar speed
sensor angle.
With planter lowered, check radar speed sensor angle per
DICKEY-john
®
recommendations.
Seed run-out. Due to unequal
outlets per box division, and if
planting across slopes, some
rows will run out before others.
Re-distribute seed to favor rows that have run out, and plan to
re-fill shortly.
Mismatch
Between
Reported and
Furrow
Population
Small seeds (example milo) are
not reliably sensed in the seed
tube
Run with rain covers in place to minimize ambient light
intrusion. Use the population scaling factor in the seed monitor
system to compensate for missed seeds. Remember to set this
back to 100% for large seeds.
Seed tube sensor is not
counting all seeds
Clean the seed tube of graphite and dust buildup with long
narrow seed tube brush. Replace sensors that malfunction.
Excessive
Seed
Cracking
Incorrect seed pocket size
Use correct disk for seed.
Damaged, old or dried-out seed
Use new seed.
Unclean seed
Use clean seed.
Skips and
Bare Spots
After Turns
Fan was turned off at turns
Leave fan running; meter pressurization must be maintained
during turns, or seed will fall out of disk pockets.
Insufficient hydraulic flow to
keep fan running at speed
required to maintain meter
pressurization
Check tractor capability against requirements (page 104).
If sufficient:
• Fold markers before engaging lift.
• Use a less aggressive lift rate.
• Monitor meter pressurization during end-of-pass operations.
Seed too
shallow or
scattered on
ground from a
single row
Bottom of seed tube damaged.
Replace seed tube. Avoid setting planter straight down. Use
forward motion when lowering.
Row not penetrating in tire
tracks.
Increase down force on parallel arm springs.
Opener depth too shallow.
Change side depth wheel setting.
Twin Rows
were timed
but became
out of time.
Timing will change when a
population change has been
made.
Re-time meters from the population based timing chart.
Chain has jumped.
Check sprockets and chain for excessive wear or rusty stuck
links.