Great Plains NP3000A Operator Manual - Manual (Page 86)

82 NP3000 and NP3000A Table of Contents Index Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
407-613M Table of Contents Index 2014-04-22
Vantage I Coulter Adjustments
Applies to model NP3000 or NP3000A with optional
liquid capability.
Fertilizer release height is normally at or just above the
ground, and is controlled by three adjustments:
Refer to Figure 48
1.
Tool bar height:
This affects coulter depth. The procedure for setting
tool bar height varies with hitch type:
See page 84
2. Fertilizer arm height (page 83):
This affects arm height relative to the coulter.
This adjustment is primarily to compensate for blade
wear.
3. Coulter height (page 83):
This affects coulter height relative to the tool bar, and
is normally not adjusted.
Factory settings:
25 in. (63.5 cm) above ground at 4 in. coulter depth
7.5 in. (19.1 cm) coulter shank distance
1 in. (2.5 cm) release height
Vantage I Coulter Force
Coulter springs are set to 400 pounds (181 kg).
In normal operation at target running depth, the spring is
at full extension. It compresses briefly as obstructions
are encountered.
• In heavy no-till conditions, you may observe the
springs in compression most of the time. This means
that the blades are not reaching the desired coulter
depth. If applicator weight is available, you can
increase the spring down-force to compensate.
• In light but rocky conditions, the factory spring setting
may be higher than needed. You can extend blade life
by reducing the force at which the blades ride up over
obstructions.
• Applicator weight, in almost all applicator
configurations, is generally sufficient to load the
coulters to the full 400 pound factory setting.
Setting all springs above 400 pounds might require the
optional weight kit with some lighter triple-coulter
configurations.
To adjust the coulter spring:
Refer to Figure 48
1.
Raise the applicator and install transport locks. See
“Raising/Lowering Applicator” on page 48.
2. Determine the new spring length desired.
3. Measure the current length of the spring(s) to be
changed. If already as short as 9
3 ⁄
4
in. (24.8 cm), or
as long as 10 1 ⁄
4
in. (26 cm), do not further adjust
them.
4. Loosen the jam nut .
5. Rotate the adjuster nut until the spring is at the
new length. Tighten the jam nut.
Note: If all springs are continuously in compression, the
coulters can lift the wing frames off the ground (at
the gauge wheels), resulting in uneven coulter
depth and/or uneven seed depth. If the applicator
is already operating at maximum down-pressure,
reduce coulter depth.
Figure 48
Vantage I 20in Coulter
31655
2
1
4
3
6
7 5
5
Spring Length Force at Blade
10.25in (26.0 cm) 300 lbs. (136 kg)
10.0in (25.4 cm) 400 lbs. (181 kg)
9.75in (24.8 cm) 525 lbs. (238 kg)
31197
6
7