When conditions are right and the weather’s cooperating, it’s tough to stop for lunch — let alone give your planter the once-over. But it’s time well spent, especially when you consider the delays a major repair causes.
Depending on your planter model, check points and maintenance intervals vary. For example, the new 2000 series Early Riser® planters eliminate the mechanical components conventional planters need, thus greatly reducing maintenance. So, start by consulting your operators manual regularly to ensure you’re current on recommended upkeep, and then consider these tips from the Case IH Parts & Service team to help keep your planter planting:
Daily inspection and maintenance
- Do a walkaround. A simple visual inspection can catch trouble early. Look for structural soundness: cracks in the frame, bent shafts or signs of irregular wear.
- Make sure all vacuum and seed delivery lines are properly connected — especially after crop changes.
- Check that tractor hydraulic lines are properly routed and connected — particularly the fan motor case drain line.
- Lubricate. Hit grease points and oil chains according to the schedule.
- If you’re applying liquid fertilizer via a tube behind the seed shoe, ensure fertilizer isn’t building up on the seed shoe, which could affect seed spacing.
- Keep an eye on tire pressure. This is critical for proper planter operation and speed control.
- Drain moisture from air storage tanks to prevent potential damage to the air clutches.
- Check the air filter on the compressor, make sure it is clean and not plugged.
- Look behind the planter. Stop and open the seed trench on varying rows, especially after making planter changes or adjustments.
- Look for seed-trench opening disks and firming-point depth.
- Check seed spacing and placement to confirm seed-meter accuracy and setting.
- Confirm covering disk action and seed trench closure.
Midseason and longer-term check points
- In the Advanced Seed Meter, check the seed disk, seed disk cover and singulator spools for wear.
- Check chains for proper tension and replace any chains that are worn out.
- Check the diameter of each opener disk and the gap between the opener disks (should be between 0 and 1/16 inch). Replace any overworn openers.
- Check firming point wear with a firming point gauge and replace if the tip of the firming point does not appear in the gauge opening.
- Check the closing disk diameter and replace any closing disk that is smaller than the minimum noted in your operators manual.
- Clean seed sensors using the seed tube brush, remove and talc/graphite build up and dust.
Remember: Replace opening disks and the firming point on a row unit at the same time to maintain an even depth and soil contact characteristics, and to promote even wear patterns.
You’ll find more maintenance advice on the planter page in the Red and Ready Productivity Hub. Be sure to work with your Case IH dealer and the experts in your dealer’s parts department to help ensure you’re properly maintaining your equipment. And don’t forget to register for the My.CaseIH.com to manage your equipment on the go. After all, you only get one chance to plant this year’s crop. Losing a few hours here and there to a major breakdown can push planting outside the optimal window.
