Topic Preview: Plate-type planters and plates to match your seed size.
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Name: LA in WI (Reserved Name)
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[email protected]
Subject: Plate-type planters and plates to match your seed size.
Body of Message:
This time of year there are often questions about plate-type planters, plates, sprocket settings, etc. from "new" owners of old plate-type planters. Hopefully, the following info will help:
1. Do you have an owner's manual for your planter? If not, please get one. Without it you will have continued problems. Trust me on this...get a manual. Binder Books is one source; 503-684-2024, 10am-5pm, Pacific time. No, I don't work for them.
2. Is your planter set for 16 cell or 24 cell plates? If you don't know, look at the plates that came with the planter. Count the "cells" or openings on the outer edge of the plates. If you don't have any plates for that plate-type planter, see #1.
The planter sprocket settings are crucial to accurately planting corn. If the sprockets are set for 16 cell plates and you use 24 cell, you will seriously overplant. If set for 24 and you use 16 you will seriously underplant.
#3. Look at the seed bag. It should have the kernel size stamped on it for the seed that is in that bag.
Kernel sizes: If the bag does not state that info, ask the seed dealer. If the dealer does not know, go to a smarter dealer...if he is over 60 yrs old he will know this. I'm 72 and can still tell the plate size just by the color of the plastic plate (yes, plastic plates are color coded as well).
Kernel sizes usually go by the following initials (I hope the columns match up the way I typed them):
SF = small flat
SMR = small medium flat
MF = medium flat
MLF = med. large flat
LF = large flat
SR = small round
SMR = small med. round
MR = med. round
MLR = med. large round
LR = large round
4. Following is a list of plastic plates you can use or buy to plant these seed sizes (Lincoln Ag data, no, I don't work for them either). 402-464-6367.
John Deere uses "B" plates, IH uses "C" plates.
SF = B9 , C9
SMF = B6, C697
MF = B7, C7
MLF = B11, C11
LF = B5, C8
SR - B25, C25
SMR = B150, C2X
MR = B1, C1X
MLR = B0, C13
LR = B28, C0X
Note: If not planting accurately, try the next larger or smaller plate as some seeds might not fall into these categories.
(Warning - With JD 24 cell planting MF, use a plate numbered "B7-24X", do NOT use a "B7-24". It has to have the "X" on it. A B7-24 is to be tossed, it should never have been made. Both are the same light green color so look closely. This info refers ONLY to this plate.)
Plates have a code stamped on them, such as B6-16 (16 cell) or B6-24 (24 cell). The "B6" refers to the cell size, the 16 or 24 refers to the number of cells that plate has.
JD plates can often be used in 1968 & later models of White, MM, Oliver, Cockshutt and Dempster planters. Also 1976 & later models of Ford 352. For Allis Chalmers and Cole an adapter is needed and Lincoln Ag has this.
IH plates can be used in 1968 & later models of Case planters.
Planting "plateless" sized seed can be done with a plate planter...sort of, but prayer would be of help with this.
Plastic plates work as well, or better, than an old rusty metal plate. You will have to plant a lot of corn to wear out a new plastic plate. The "newer" plastic plates have a little hole (1/8"?) drilled about 1/2 way thru the plate along the outer edge and is a "wear gauge"; if you can see thru that hole then toss the plate as it is worn out.
With most old planters the floor plate is often well worn. If it has deep grooves in it you can try one size smaller plate but that is chancy at best. If floor plate is not worm much, you are lucky. Some John Deere planters you can flip the floor plate over and try that, but usually that is for very large seed.
#5. Always, always, start with #1.
There are also a myriad of parts that need to be checked on an old planter, but this info should help you get started.
Remember this: The sins of planting will haunt you all season.
