Great Plains 2515 Operator Manual - Manual (Page 14)

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Section 2 Operating Instructions
1515, 2015 and 2515 Three-Point Soybean Machine 173-159M 4/20/05
Great Plains Mfg., Inc.
Section 2
Operating Instructions
This section covers general operating procedures. Experi-
ence, machine familiarity and the following information will
lead to efficient operation and good working habits. Al-
ways operate farm machinery with safety in mind.
Prestart Checklist
1. Carefully read “Important Safety Information,” page
1.
2. Lubricate drill as indicated under Lubrication, “Main-
tenance and Lubrication,” page 27.
3. Check all tires for proper inflation as indicated on Tire
Inflation Chart, “Appendix,” page 34.
4. Check all bolts, pins and fasteners. Torque as speci-
fied on Torque Values Chart, “Appendix,” page 34.
5. Check drill for worn or damaged parts. Check hydrau-
lic hoses, fittings and cylinders for leaks. Repair or re-
place damaged parts before going to the field.
6. Check disk scrapers for proper adjustment. Refer to
Opener Disks and Scrapers, “Maintenance and Lu-
brication,” page 25.
7. Rotate both gauge wheels to see that seed cups and
drive are working properly and free from foreign mate-
rial.
8. Adjust side gauge wheels on row unit. Refer to Side
Gauge Wheels, “Adjustments,” page 15.
Field Operation
1. Read and complete all instructions under “Prepara-
tion and Setup,” beginning on page 9.
2. Set and calibrate seeding rate as explained under
Seeding Rate, “Adjustments,” page 17.
3. Adjust row unit for necessary down pressure and de-
sired seeding depth. Refer to Row Unit Adjustments,
“Adjustments,” page 14.
4. If drill is outfitted with optional lift assist, lower drill in
field and check that lift-assist cylinders are retracted
fully. If not, add weights to weight brackets until the cyl-
inders retract completely. See Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1
Lift Assist with Weights
5. Load box with clean seed.
NOTE: If drill is outfitted with optional lift assist, operate
tractor and drill without tractor top link. On quick hitches,
pin quick hitch to drill and remove tractor top link.
6. Record acremeter readout. Subtract initial reading
from later readings to determine acres drilled.
7. Pull forward, lower drill and begin seeding.
NOTE: Operate drill with tractor hydraulic lever in float po-
sition. Refer to your tractor operator’s manual for specific
information on entering float position.
8. Always lift drill out of the ground when turning at row
ends and for other short-radius turns. Seeding will
stop automatically as drill is raised.
Row Unit Operation
Never back up with row units in ground. If you do, check all
opener disks to be sure none are clogged or damaged.
For information on row-unit adjustments, refer to Row Unit
Adjustments, “Adjustments,” starting on page 14. For
more information on troubleshooting row-unit problems,
see “Troubleshooting,” page 23.
Marker Operation
Optional marker attachments are available from your
Great Plains dealer. Before operating markers, make sure
hydraulics are properly bled as described under Marker
Adjustments, “Adjustments,” page 21.
Dual markers can be equipped with an optional sequence
valve. Starting with both markers folded, the folding se-
quence is:
1. Activate lever – Right unfolds; left 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.
You can adjust marker folding speed. Refer to Marker Ad-
justments, “Adjustments,” page 19, and adjust folding
speed to a safe rate. Folding markers at high speed can
damage markers.
Shaft Monitor Operation
To operate the optional shaft monitor, activate system by
flipping on-off switch on monitor head. If a seed-cup shaft
stops for 30 seconds or more, an alarm will sound and a
light on the monitor will flash.
The 30-second delay is to prevent nuisance alarms when
turning at the end of the field. If a failure does occur and
the alarm sounds, remember you have traveled for 30
seconds without planting.
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