Great Plains 3SF45 Operator Manual User Manual
Page 27
4/8/99
5-1
170-062M
SEEDING ADJUSTMENTS
NOTE:
SEEDING RATES WILL VARY GREATLY WITH VARIATIONS IN SIZES OF THE SEEDS. ALTHOUGH THE
SEEDING RATES LISTED IN THIS MANUAL ARE BASED ON AN AVERAGE SEED SIZE, WE RECOMMEND THAT
YOU TEST AND ADJUST YOUR DRILL USING THE PROCEDURES LISTED BELOW TO HELP INSURE AN ACCU-
RATE SEEDING RATE.
1. Raise both drill boxes’ outboard ends high enough to lift the end wheels off the ground. Rotate each gauge wheel
to see that feed cups and drive are working properly, are not binding and are free from foreign matter.
charts starting on page 5-3}. In order to change sprockets, remove nut on the double speed change sprocket and turn
sprocket over. Loosen the idler arm bolt, put chains on and tighten both bolts. {The lengths of the chains will need to
be adjusted in order to make this change.}
3. There are many factors which will affect seeding rates: seed treatment, weight of seed, size of seed, surface condi-
tion of seed, and tire configuration, pressure and slippage. Minor adjustments will probably be needed to compensate
for above factors.
4. The pounds-per-acre in the seed charts are based on drills having 9.5L x 15" rib implement gauge wheel tires.
5. The large differences in seed size and treatment can cause a wide variation in actual seeding rates. The seed rate
charts on the following pages are based on average size seed. This may differ from the seed you are using. Use the
seed rate charts as a guide. Set the pounds-per-acre desired at the indicator number for your row spacing and complete
the following procedure to calibrate the drill for your specific seed.
A. Place several pounds of seed over three of the feeder cups at the outboard end of the drill box.
B. Pull the seed tubes out of these three disk openers.
C. Raise the drill off the ground. If using a hitch, be sure to insert transport lock pins or turn 90° hydraulic lock
valve, depending on hitch style to prevent injury should hydraulic system allow drill to lower while working
around it.
D. Place a container under the three seed tubes to gather the seed as it is metered.
E. Rotate the drive gauge wheel until one acre has been tallied on the acremeter. This will be approximately 150
rotations on a 36’ drill and approximately 122 1/2 rotations on a 45’ drill. Be sure to check the three feeder cups
to make sure each cup has plenty of seed coming into it.
F. Weigh the seed which has been metered. Divide by three. This will give you the ounces/pounds metered by
each feeder cup. Multiply by the number of openers on your drill to arrive at the total pounds-per-acre your drill
would meter at that setting. If this figure is different than desired, set your feed cup adjustment lever accordingly.
Repeat procedures A through F on each drill section.
6. You may want to repeat the calibration procedure if the results of your calibration vary greatly from the suggested
setting contained in this manual.
REMEMBER:
Tire size and fiel conditions will also affect seeding rates. Be certain that your drill rib tires are 9.5L x 15"
and that they have the proper inflation. When drilling, check the amount of seed you are using by noting acres drilled,
amount of seed added to drill, and level of seed in drill box. If you suspect that you are drilling more or less than desired,
and you have accurately calibrated the drill to your seed, you may need to adjust the seeding rate slightly to compensate
for your field conditions.
NOTE:
This drill is equipped with four-position feed cup door on each feed cup. The highest handle position is for wheat
and other small grain seeds, the second handle position is for soybean and other large grain seeds. Should excessive
cracking occur to the large seeds, drop the handle to the third position. The wide open position will allow complete clean
out of the feed cup.
MAKE SURE
all handles are in the same position before drilling.
CAUTION: DO NOT
open the cup up to the wide open position with seed in the box unless complete clean out is desired.