Great Plains 2N-3020 Operator Manual - Manual (Page 19)

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Section 2 Operating Instructions
2/28/08 2N-2420 and 2N-3020 Two-Section Folding No-Till Drill 196-164M-A
Great Plains Mfg., Inc.
NOTE: If transport-lock cylinders will not retract, drill is not
raised fully. Make sure field-lift cylinders and transport-lift
cylinders are extended fully.
7. When transport-lock cylinders are retracted, turn off
transport-lock switch. Turn on raise-to-fold switch.
8. Work tractor hydraulic lever to lower drill.
9. Turn off raise-to-fold switch.
Lifting the Drill in the Field
Your drill is raised for field operations with hydraulic cylin-
ders in a master-slave configuration. Over a period of nor-
mal use the cylinders may get out of phase. This will cause
one side of the drill to run higher. To rephase the cylinders:
1. Raise the drill completely with the field-lift cylinders.
Hold the hydraulic lever on for several seconds until all
cylinders are fully extended. This should be done ev-
ery time the implement is raised out of the ground.
2. When all field-lift cylinders are fully extended, momen-
tarily reverse the hydraulic lever to retract the system
1/2 inch. This will help maintain levelness.
NOTE: Air in the field-lift system will cause jerky and un-
even cylinder movement. Follow procedures under Bleed-
ing the Hydraulic Systems, “Drill Preparation and
Setup,” page 11, to properly bled air from the system.
Field Operations
For normal seeding operations:
1. Hitch drill to a tractor with sufficient weight and horse-
power. Refer to Tractor Requirements, page 15, and
Hitching Tractor to Drill, page 15.
2. Perform all checks listed on Prestart Checklist, page
15.
3. Lower the drill into seeding position.
4. Observe the drill from the side. Check that the tongue
is running level with the ground. If not, refer to Hitch
Height Adjustment, “Drill Preparation and Setup,”
page 10.
5. Set the seeding rate for both boxes. Refer to Setting
the Seeding Rate, “Adjustments,” page 21. Make
sure the seeding rate is the same across the drill.
6. Load boxes with clean seed.
7. Record the acremeter readout. The acremeter is
mounted on the outside end of the left gauge-wheel
shaft. Subtract this initial readout from later readings
to calculate area drilled.
8. Pull forward, lower drill, and begin seeding.
9. Always lift the drill out of the ground when turning at
row ends and for other short-radius turns. Seeding will
stop automatically as the drill is raised in the field.
NOTE: This drill is offered in three different row spacing
widths; therefore, some of the drill boxes do not have the
same number of seed cups between each internal box di-
vider. The section with the largest number of cups will
empty sooner.
Opener Operation
Never back up with openers in ground. If you do, check all
openers to be sure none are clogged or damaged.
For information on setting seed depth and opener adjust-
ments, see No-Till Seeding, “Adjustments,” page 19, and
Leveling Adjustments, “Adjustments,” page 28. For more
information on troubleshooting opener problems, see
“Troubleshooting,” page 31.
Marker Operation
Optional marker attachments are sold as single (left-hand)
or dual units. The markers are operated on the same elec-
tro-hydraulic circuit as the raise-to-fold, transport-lock and
folding functions.
Before operating the markers, make sure they are proper-
ly bled as described under Bleed Marker Hydraulics, “Drill
Preparation and Setup,” page 13.
To operate the markers, turn the control console switch to
the left marker position after the drill is unfolded. Activate
the hydraulic lever to fold or unfold the marker.
The dual markers are equipped with a sequencing valve to
ease marker operation. Starting with both markers folded,
the sequence is:
1. Activate lever. Right unfolds; left marker stays folded.
2. Reverse lever. Right folds up; left stays folded.
3. Activate lever. Left unfolds; right stays folded.
4. Reverse lever. Left folds up; right stays folded.
5. Sequence repeats.
NOTE: Because of the sequencing valve, the left marker
position controls both markers. Do not turn marker switch
between left and right positions on the control console. If
you wish to operate the markers independently, contact
your Great Plains dealer for the additional parts needed to
modify the marker hydraulics.
Markers are equipped with a needle valves to set folding
speed. Refer to Folding Speed, “Adjustments,” page 29,
and adjust folding speed to a safe rate. Folding or unfold-
ing markers at high speed can damage markers.
When marker operation is complete, return markers to the
folded position and turn the marker control-console switch
to the center (off) position.