Our planting window is brief. Most growers only have six to 10 good days to get seeds in the ground. And breakdowns during this time frame can hurt us even more than thought. Just one hour of downtime during corn planting can cost more than $2,000.
Preparation and maintenance are our best defenses against downtime. Here’s how to make every minute count this planting season.
Value of the off-season
Think of the off-season like a good football team prepping for the upcoming season — it’s a time to prepare and strategize for success. The groundwork we lay before planting can make all the difference when it’s time to get in the field.
The best way to maximize uptime during planting season is to address all the maintenance items on our planter during the off-season. About one to two months before planting starts, take these actions:
- Review the owner’s manual for the recommended maintenance schedule to prevent any serious issues.
- Confirm or perform all regular maintenance, such as greasing bearings, oiling chains and inflating tires.
- Check for and replace any parts that are broken, worn or missing.
- Have the seed meters calibrated to the seed you’ll plant this season.
- Update software, renew any necessary subscriptions such as GPS software and run system checks.
- Advanced planters simulate operations, ensuring everything is in working order before hitting the fields.
Working with your dealer to schedule a preventive maintenance inspection is another way to ensure everything is in top shape before the planting season begins.
Keep eye on calibration
While most growers inspect equipment visually, some details are easy to miss. Inspect row unit components like disc openers and closing wheels to ensure they are in optimal condition and calibrated correctly. Every row unit can have varying levels of wear from the previous growing season, causing discrepancies when setting depth levels.
Annual calibration ensures consistent planting. Without it, a row unit might plant at 1.75 inches while its neighboring unit plants at 2.25 inches, leading to uneven emergence, growth issues and, ultimately, a hit to your bottom line.
Small details with big impacts
Treat every acre as if it’s your first 50, regularly digging for seeds to ensure they’re at the proper depth and spacing. Even a minor issue with a single meter — such as a tag or string stuck in the mechanism — can drop singulation rates below 99%. Each percentage drop in singulation can cost you 1 to 2 bushels per acre.
Equally important is performing daily maintenance tasks like greasing equipment and checking tire pressure to keep equipment moving and avoid downtime.
Even with the best preparation, surprises happen. A strong support system such as these can minimize downtime:
- 24/7 dealer support. Many dealers offer hotlines and real-time troubleshooting during peak planting.
- Community resources. Farming networks like Facebook groups can provide quick advice.
- Online tools. Manuals, YouTube and websites like Precision Planting offer step-by-step solutions.
- Planning. Connect with your dealer before planting to come up with the best way to quickly get support during the season. Depending on the problem, the best course of action could simply be a text with pictures versus a phone call.
Planting season is a race against time. With thorough preparation, daily vigilance and reliable support, you can maximize those critical six to 10 days. Every moment saved today translates into more bushels tomorrow.