Great Plains SR5030 Operator Manual - Manual (Page 16)

14
Section 3 Adjustments
SR5030 Split-Row Planter 401-140M-A 4/12/05
Great Plains Mfg., Inc.
Planting Rate
Transmission Adjustment
To set the planting population, change the sprocket com-
bination on the transmission.
1. Refer to Planting Rate Charts beginning on page 15
for the proper sprocket combination for your desired
planting population.
2. Remove the cover from the SR5030 transmission by
loosening cover knob.
3. Loosen carriage bolt and flange nut on idler plate. Ro-
tate plate to move idlers out of chain. Remove chain.
4. Remove and replace sprockets on transmission as
necessary. See Figure 3-12, page 15, for drive/driven
location. Store extra sprockets on storage bracket.
5. Re-route chain over idlers and sprockets. Turn idler
plate counter-clockwise to take up all but 1/4-inch
chain slack. Retighten carriage bolt and flange nut to
secure idler plate.
6. Replace the transmission cover and hand tighten the
knob.
7. Set sprockets on pull-type planter for desired popula-
tion. Refer to the operator’s manual for your pull-type
planter.
NOTE: If the planting-rate charts for your six-row planter
are for 30-inch spacing, remember to set your six-row-
planter to plant one-half the desired population. On Great
Plains planters, you likely will need to use the 2-to-1 drive
reduction for the correct population.
Example, 30,000 corn on 15-inch row spacing:
• Set SR5030 sprockets to drive 26 and driven 23
(Sprockets closest to 30,000)
• Set six-row planter for half of desired population
(30,000 / 2 = 15,000 on 30-inch charts)
Total Plant Population = 30,000 per acre
Checking Planting Population
After setting the transmission, always field check the
planting population as follows.
1. Remove down pressure from row unit by setting T-
handle for row-unit springs to the lightest setting.
2. Tie up closing disks and wheels to hopper support us-
ing a chain or heavy wire. Lock up optional Seed-Lok
wheels.
3. Adjust planting depth to a shallow setting.
4. Plant at a normal speed for a short distance.
5. For 15-inch rows, measure 34 feet 10 inches (one-
thousandth of an acre).
6. Count the number of seeds in one row over the mea-
sured distance.
7. Multiply the number of seeds counted by 1000. This
gives you total population.
Example,15-inch row spacing:
• Measure 34 feet 10 inches
• 24 seeds over measured distance in one row
24 X1000 = 24,000 plant population per acre
If the population is significantly different than desired:
• Double check the sprocket combination in the trans-
mission. Refer to Planting Rate Charts, beginning on
page 15.
• Check air pressure in the gauge-wheel tires. Refer to
Tire Inflation Chart, “Appendix,” page 30.
• Check for meter malfunction. Refer to “Trouble-
shooting,” page 18.