IH Planters

When I tested my IH planter last year for the first time I ran it over rock hard ground that had not been tilled in years and driven over for the same amount of time. I found enough seed on the ground to satisfy the test. What I did not see was the 8 rows it planted. It all sprouted but only got about 2' high. Every plant had an ear with corn on it. I think if you put on the no-till coulters it would do an excellent job clearing trash and planting in residue.

Of course, if you read any of my posts this past week on the subject...you may not care what I think! :)
 
If they can get enough down pressure through springs or air bags I don't see why they won't work for no till. Around here a few guys used to take old Cyclos and turn them into 15" bean planters and some of them were no till. They were more accurate in depth control and coverage than a standard drill.
 
I've got an 800 with most of the 900 updates. This is my first year trying no-till, on soybeans. In the ground that has actually been dry enough to plant, mine has done a good job of penetrating, cutting trash, seed depth, and covering. I just set it for about 7 oz. of air, which is what has worked well for me with beans in the past, I set the seed tube extension about 2" out of the chute, Set the depth about 1-1/2" deep, set my population at 140,000, and pull it in 1st Hi on the old 806. (About 5.5-6 mph) This is my 3rd year with the cyclo, and the only condition I've found that didn't work well is too wet. (DUH!) It would open the trench, place the seed, but wouldn't cover it. Clay don't like wet. I consider my planter 3/4 worn out- I replace the covering disks as the bearing go bad, the chains are stretched and on the max on the tensioners to get them reasonably tight, I did get all new seals for the seed drums and hopper lid, replaced the seed release wheels, and re-sealed the hopper halves. I am satisfied with mine, especially since I can't upgrade to a nice newer CIH 1200. I get mine to do as good of a job as the neighbor's kinze or JD, at least I think so as I walk fields. :) -Andy
 
On my planter you couldn't turn the air up if your life depended on it...LOL. You need to read my post last week about the complete breakdown of my IH 800. By the end of the day I was getting 2 oz of pressure. I am taking half my seed corn back to the elevator this year and maybe taking a loss on that field. To answer your question, though, I would not think you would turn up the pressure. The coulters clear the trash and the air pressure delivers the seed to the furrow. It does not fire it thru the trash into the ground...it drops it in there.
 

If Anything, next time I hit the field, I think I'll run a little less air- it only takes 4-5 oz. to hold the beans in the drum, and might reduce seed bounce. (I've found a few uncovered beans... must be the no-till ground bounces the seed more than tilled ground- less cushion I suppose.) -Andy
 
This is the problem I have with them that tell me I have to have the higher pressure dictated by the manual. 4-5 oz held corn seed in the drum and planted a good stand for me last year. Everyone locally I talked to...CIH techs, seller, etc...all told me 9 oz would bounce the seed. Hard to know what to do except try it for yourself in different conditions and see what works for you.
 
It occurs to me that I once found a line in one of the manuals I have for the planter that states to "use the lowest air setting possible to hold seeds in the drum while planting." Makes sense to me, but that said, I have been running mine by the book's suggested air settings and had good results. So, I'd agree, try it and see what works for you. -Andy
 
Ive no tilled for years; first with an unmodified Allis 770 plate--would only work well in light soil. Then with an IH 800 plate with one set of no til coulters and exrta weight on the row units---worked well in most conditions. Then with a NI double frame with Kinze (JD) units, with one unit mounted coulter, HD springs on the row units (4 corn at 30 inches and 7 bean at 15 inches) Plants very well under all conditions, regardless of the amt. of trash or hardness of the soil. One condition--when you see your neighbours cultivating and you think its dry enough to plant---go away for a day, and plant the next day. If the soil is just a bit too damp, you will get smearing of the sidewall of the seed trench which the roots will not penetrate and/or your seed trench will not close, leaving the seed exposed. It takes patience but it is worth the effort and the reduced soil erosion is a big benefit

Ben
 

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