Great Plains YP625PD Operator Manual - Manual (Page 53)

Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. Table of Contents Index Adjustments 49
02/23/2011 Table of Contents Index 401-754M
Row Unit Down Pressure
Refer to Figure 44
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 45
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 46
Row unit springs
provide the primary down pressure
necessary for row unit disks 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
seed firmers (optional) and press wheels.
ll
Figure 44
Checking Furrow
31879
{
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
ll
Figure 45
Assessing Down-force
1
2
3
Figure 46
25AP Series Row Unit Springs
31879
1
1