MF planter problems

[Anonymous-0]

Picked up a mf 39 2 row plate planter this yr. Had formerly been using a friends jd planter. The planter is in solid shap doesnt appear to have been used much but i had horrible stand counts with it.(around 65-75%)which in anybodys opinion is unacceptable. What i know is it has 1/2"x5/16" 24 cell plates in it. The planter operates smooth, chains are tight and all springs are strong. I know the first thing i shouldnt have done is used un-graded seed but it is what it is. Could that be my whole problem? Upon doing some digging in the missed spots that vary between 2 and 8" there are no seeds planted atall. Appears that every seed that got dropped went in at about 1.5" deep and all came up. The missed spots are not consitent to the 2 rows planted together so its not a locking up issue. This year is done but would like to have better stands next year so any input is much appreciated. Thanks

 

[pullinghoundog]

One time on my deere I. Rolled it over a couple times and plenty of seed came out so I went for it. What happened was all the seed that fit the plate went in and the 20 percent that was a little odd shaped bounced around in there until it got ground up. I found this on later inspection and used a bigger plate. Even. Graded seed can vary year to year. I had. Used that plate the 5 years previous

 

[pullinghoundog]

One time on my deere I. Rolled it over a couple times and plenty of seed came out so I went for it. What happened was all the seed that fit the plate went in and the 20 percent that was a little odd shaped bounced around in there until it got ground up. I found this on later inspection and used a bigger plate. Even. Graded seed can vary year to year. I had. Used that plate the 5 years previous

 

[JD Seller]

How did you expect ungraded seed to plant???? A plate type planter singulates BY SIZE. So how can it work if you have seed that is different sizes in the box??????

If you ever try ungraded seed again you need to find the largest seed in what you are going to use. Then use a plate that will drop that size seed. You will get a lot of doubles where two smaller seed fall into the large slot/hole but you will at least get a uniform stand. If you are just planting a few rows of sweet corn you can always thin the stand with a hoe.

Like pullinghoundog stated. The wrong plate size will just grind up many of kernels. Medium rounds will drop the best in a plate planter with the correct plates.

Also the depth control on the old shoe planter is not the best. This year corn had a tough time in some areas by being too wet or dry to germinate if not placed perfectly in the ground.

 

[LA in WI]

For more accurate stands, you need "sized seed" for that planter instead of "plateless seed". Give us more info on that plate you have...is it stamped MF? (Many old planter brands used either JD or IH plates.) Look at the cell shapes, are they rounded or have square corners or are square or longitudinal? There has to be more info on that plate.

Once we figure out what you have, then next spring you go to your seed dealer and tell him what size seed you need. If he can't help you then you need to go to a more informed seed dealer.

Give us more info so we can help you.
LA in WI

 

[Tim(nj)]

I've planted a few varieties of open-pollinated corn that are simply not available graded with a plate planter. I've found that using a round plate sized to the largest kernal works best, even with the flat seeds mixed in. I don't get picket-fence stands, but I get sufficient yield from the OP for my purposes. If I were to increase my acreage of it, though, I would upgrade to plateless planter.

 

[BigCountry56]

Thanks for all the replies, Seems to be what i figured and thats ungraded seed causing it. The plates have a code on them but otherwise they look identicle to the ones that lincolnag sells for the MF planter The cells are 1/2" round plate is 5/16" thick. I only used ungraded because i had already purchased the seed plannin to borrow my friends plateless again then on a last minute whim i picked up this massey. Next year i will get the proper seed and try that and over the off season ill mount it in the air and test run it to make sure nothing else is at fault. I dont by any means expect a perfect row with a plate planter and is no matter to me im not makin a living on perfect popu. numbers but i dont want large gaps. Thanks again sure ill get er figured out and ready for next yr.