Great Plains 3S-3000F Operator Manual v2 - Manual (Page 35)

33
Section 3 Adjustments
11/9/07 3S-3000 Three-Section Folding Drill 195-110M-A
Great Plains Mfg., Inc.
Seed Rate Calibration
1. Jack up the wing gauge wheels and rotate them to see
that the feed cups and drives are working properly and
are free from foreign matter. The right wing gauge
wheel drives the center section, but the drive does not
engage unless the drill is completely unfolded.
2. Set the desired DRIVE TYPE from the rate chart by
choosing the correct drive type sprocket from the four
available 7/8" hex bore quick-change sprockets.
Route the chain according to the decal and tighten the
chain by sliding the 12 tooth idler sprockets in the
slots. Make sure the DRIVE TYPE SPROCKET lines
up with the CLUTCH SPROCKET so the drives run
free and true. The wing sections require a blank
sprocket between the shaft bearing and the DRIVE
TYPE SPROCKET for the chain to align properly.
3. Set the seed rate adjustment handle to the desired
chart setting. Make sure all the feed cup doors are in
the desired position.
NOTE: Do not open the cup door to the wide open
position with seed in the box unless complete
cleanout is desired. The door may be difficult to close
off once it is opened.
Feed Cup Door Adjustment
Figure 3-4
15555
NOTE: Seeding rates will vary greatly with variations
in sizes of the seeds. The seeding rates listed in this
manual are based on average seed size. We recom-
mend that you test and adjust your drill using the pro-
cedure below to help ensure an accurate seeding rate.
4. There are many factors which will affect seeding rates:
seed treatment, weight of seed, size of seed, surface
condition of seed, tire configuration, tire pressure and
tire slippage. Minor adjustments will probably be
needed to compensate for these factors.
5. The pounds-per-acre in the seed rate charts are
based on the drill having 9.5L-15 6 PLY ribbed imple-
ment tires inflated to 32 psi and 265/70B16 skid steer
tires inflated to 70 psi on the wing gauge wheels.
Check your tires for proper inflation pressure.
6. 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 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
feed cups at the outboard drive end of the drill
box.
b. Disconnect the seed tubes from these three disk
openers.
c. Lower the opener frames to planting position in or-
der to activate the clutch and raise the proper
drive tire off the ground with a jack so it can be ro-
tated by hand.
d. Place a container under the three seed tubes to
gather the seed as it is metered.
e. Rotate the drive wheel until one acre has been tal-
lied on the acremeter. This will be 175 rotations on
the 30' drill. Be sure to check the three cups to
make sure each cup has plenty of seed coming
into it.
f. Weigh the seed which has been metered. Divide
by three to get the ounces/pounds metered by
each feed 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 adjust-
ment handle accordingly.
g. You may want to repeat the calibration procedure
if the results of your calibration vary greatly from
the suggested settings contained in this manual.
REMEMBER: Tire size, tire air pressure, and field condi-
tions also affect seeding rates. When drilling, check the
amount of seed you are using by noting acres drilled,
amount of seed added to the drill, and level of seed in
each drill box. If you suspect that you are drilling more or
less than desired, you may need to adjust the seeding
rates slightly to compensate for your field conditions.