Great Plains 2525A Operator Manual - Manual (Page 40)

36 2025A/2525A Table of Contents Index Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
118-999M Table of Contents Index 2013-06-04
10. Resume planting.
A small varying population deviation between rows is
normal. If a row is consistently running lower or
higher than the other rows, it could indicate a meter
or seed sensor problem that needs attention. “Popu-
lation Troubleshooting Charts” on page 58.
11. Continue to monitor meter pressure.
When oil reaches operating temperature, fan speed
can change. Expect to make periodic adjustments to
fan circuit or butterfly valve to maintain ideal meter
pressure.
12. Skips:
If all else is correct, and the overall average popula-
tion is running low (or there are gaps upon furrow
check), the cause may be seeds falling out of disk
pockets before delivery to the seed tube. Increase
meter pressure to correct this.
13. Doubles:
If all else is correct, and the overall average popula-
tion is running high (or there are double seeds upon
furrow check), the cause may be two seeds in some
disk pockets at delivery to the seed tube. Decrease
meter pressure to correct this.
Fine-Tuning (with optional Seed Monitor)
After several passes, and you are comfortable with the
drill’s operation, you can optimize meter pressurization.
Use this method during longer passes, so there are
fewer distractions (and see sidebar regarding Milo).
14. Observe the current overall average population
reported by the monitor.
15. Adjust the fan speed down, in small steps, waiting
5-10 seconds between adjustments, until skips occur
(actual population begins falling below target). Note
the pressure at which skips begin.
16. Restore pressure to the initial value at step 14.
17. Adjust the fan speed up, by periodic small incre-
ments, until doubles occur (actual population begins
rising above target). Note the pressure at which dou-
bles begin.
18. Adjust meter pressure to a value halfway between
the limits established at step 15 and step 17. This is
the ideal value for your crop, disk and population,
providing equal margin against skips and doubles.
Record this value for future use.
Insufficient meter pressure, or unusually rough fields,
can increase the incidence of empty pockets. Be sure to
rule out other causes (such as skipping chains, meter
starvation, incorrect meter disks) before adjusting meter
pressurization to reduce apparent skips.
Excess meter pressure can increase the incidence of
doubles. Be sure to rule out other causes (such as
incorrect meter disks) before adjusting meter pressur-
ization to reduce doubles.
Alternate Skip/Double Check
Small seeds, particularly Milo, are less reliably sensed as
skips or doubles by the seed tube sensors, and watching
monitor population is unlikely to locate the pressure lim-
its. This test can also be quicker for all seeds.
A. After planting a few passes with initial settings,
remove the rain covers from several rows (use rows
with a variety of seed hose lengths and routes).
B. Make a meter pressurization adjustment. Resume
planting for a pass or less.
C. Stop drill motion but leave engine at field rpm and
fan running.
D. Inspect the seed disks closely. Look for empty seed
cells (skips) and cells with multiple seeds (doubles).
E. Repeat step B-to-step D until limits are established.
Record limits. Re-install rain covers. Plant with
median settings.