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36
GRAANGIDS
2017
GRAIN GUIDE
• Weigh the fertiliser caught in the container.
• The fertiliser delivery in kg/ha can be calculated as follows:
Mass of fertiliser delivered over 10 m in grams
Planter’s row spacing in metres
• Repeat the process with the other planter rows to ensure that the delivery is the same.
• If the delivery has to be changed, the gear combinations between the drive wheels of the
fertiliser mechanism should preferably be changed rather than increasing or decreasing
the delivery.
4.2. Calibration of seed
Seed dispensing can be calibrated as follows:
• Mark out a distance of 10 m in the field.
• Set the plant depth so that the seed is placed on the soil.
• Plant at the normal plant speed over the measured distance of 10 m.
• Count the number of seeds delivered in a row over the distance of 10 m.
• Calculate the plant population in number of seeds/ha as follows:
1 000 x number of seeds counted over 10 m
Planter’s row spacing in metres
• If the plant population must be changed, change the gear combinations as indicated
on the calibration table of the planter.
• If there are many double seed deliveries or seed is not delivered at all, make sure that
the right tray has been selected for the seed size for tray planters. The correct vacuum
delivery for vacuum planters should be checked. Finger-wheel planter dispensing
mechanisms should be serviced.
Johan van Biljon, SAIAE
Calibrate your planter correctly
Continued from p. 35