Great Plains YP4425A Operator Manual - Manual (Page 71)

Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. Table of Contents Index Adjustments 67
2012-02-23 Table of Contents Index 401-805M
Row Unit Down Pressure
Mechanical down-pressure setup is the same for the
standard planter and for a planter equipped with the
optional Row-Pro™ system.
For operation of the optional Row-Pro™ system, see
separate manual 403-860M.
Refer to Figure 72
The ideal amount of down-force causes the side gauge
wheels to compress any loose surface soil, but not press
a trench into subsoil.
To assess down-force, operate the planter for a short
distance on typical ground (with or without seeding), and
stop. Leave the planter lowered (row units in ground).
At several row units, inspect the furrow created by the
opener discs, but prior to furrow closing by the press
wheels.
Note: Be sure to inspect rows both in and out of tire
tracks.
Refer to Figure 73
1.
If the side gauge wheels are leaving no tracks, or
light tracks, increase down-force.
2. If the wheels are compressing trash and loose soil,
and leaving clear tracks right at the top of the
subsoil, down-force is probably correct and needs no
adjustment.
3. If the wheels are creating a trench into the subsoil,
down-force is too high and needs to be reduced.
Adjusting Down-Force
Refer to Figure 74
Row unit springs
provide the primary down pressure
necessary for row unit discs to open a seed trench. The
weight of the row units themselves contributes about
130 pounds (59 kg) of the total force.
The springs allow the row units to float down into
depressions and up over obstructions. Springs also
provide down force on coulters when using optional row
mounted coulters, and provide the primary down force on
row cleaners (optional), seed firmers (optional) and
press wheels.
Figure 72
Checking Furrow
29600
{
Inspect Furrow Here
Light or no side gauge
wheel tracks Insufficient down-force
Increase down-force
Gauge wheels compress
loose soil only Ideal
No adjustment required
Side gauge wheels
making deep tracks Down-force too high
Reduce down-force
Figure 73
Assessing Down-force
1
2
3
Figure 74
25 Series Row Unit Springs
29600
1
1