Great Plains PT8030 V1012 Operator Manual - Manual (Page 23)

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Section 3 Row Unit Operation
PT6030 and PT8030 Pull-Type Planter 401-032M 10/10/12
Great Plains Mfg., Inc.
The rate charts in “Section 5 Adjusting Planting Rates”
on page
28 are approximate, and are based on a planting
speed of 5 mph. They are to be used only as a guide to de-
termine a starting point for the meter dial setting.
Always check your rate of application as outlined in this
section to be sure you are getting the desired rate.
Use the application rate and meter setting recommended
by the chemical manufacturer as a starting point for the
meter dial setting.
If the meter setting is not available from the chemical man-
ufacturer, use the charts in “Section 5 Adjusting Plant-
ing Rates” on page
28 as a starting point for the meter
dial setting.
IMPORTANT: Because the available chemical materials
vary widely in consistency and composition, their “flow-
ability” is affected by temperature and humidity conditions.
It is important to calibrate each individual meter to the par-
ticular chemical being used.
To determine the application rate and starting meter set-
ting, proceed as follows:
The chemical manufacturer may recommend the rate of
application for granular chemicals in the following ways:
1. Ounces per 1000 linear row feet.
2. Pounds per acre for a given band width and row spac-
ing.
3. Pounds per acre for complete (broadcast) coverage.
When the chemical manufacturer recommends ounces
per 1000 linear row feet or pounds per acre for a given
band width and row spacing, proceed to the chemical
manufacturer’s recommended meter setting or to the
meter setting recommended in the rate charts.
When the chemical manufacturer recommends pounds
per acre for complete (broadcast) coverage only, it is nec-
essary to reduce the pounds per acre to apply for your
band width and row spacing. This will give you the same
chemical concentration in the band area as the chemical
manufacturer recommends for complete (broadcast) cov-
erage.
Use the following formula to find the pounds per acre for
your band width and row spacing.
NOTE: We recommend you actually measure the
band width applied in your conditions and use this
width in your application rate calculations.
A X B/C = Delivery rate per acre for a given band width
and row spacing.
A - Chemical manufacturers recommended rate in pounds
per acre for complete (broadcast) coverage.
B - Band width in inches.
C - Row spacing in inches.
Example: The chemical manufacturer recommends 20 lb/
acre for complete broadcast coverage. The band width is
14 inches. The row spacing is 30 inches.
20 x 14/30 = 9.3 lb. per acre.
The required delivery rate for 14 inch bands and 30 inch
row spacing would be 9.3 lb/acre. Set meter setting rec-
ommended for 9.3 lb/acre broadcast coverage.
Delivery of 9.3 lb/acre of chemical in a 14 inch band will
provide the same chemical concentration on the soil sur-
face as delivery of 20 lb/acre broadcast coverage.
Proceed to chemical manufacturer’s recommended meter
setting or to the meter setting recommended in the rate
charts in this section which will deliver 9.3 lb/acre.
To check the exact number of lb/acre of chemical that will
be delivered, attach a plastic bag to each chemical diffus-
er, lower the planter, and proceed as follows:
Drive 500 feet at planting speed. Weigh the chemical in oz.
that was caught in one bag. Multiply that amount by the
factor shown to determine lb. per acre.
Check the chemical caught in each bag in the same man-
ner.
Lb. Per Acre Factor for
Given Row Width
Row Width Factor
38 inch 1.7
36 inch 1.8
30 inch 2.2
Example: Assume you are planting 38 inch rows and you
caught 5.6 ounces in one bag (one row).
5.6 ounces times 1.7 (factor for 38 inch rows) equals 9.5
lb. per acre.
If the desired amount is not obtained for each unit with the
first setting, turn the metering knob and repeat the check
until desired amount is delivered.
NOTE: If a significant difference in rate is observed
between rows, the meter dial mechanism may re-
quire recalibration.
Empty the contents of the hopper(s) periodically to avoid
the collection of dirt and other materials. To remove the
hopper(s), disengage the meter drive clutch and the 2
latch pins at the front of the hopper.