Preparing your planter for winter storage is a critical maintenance step. Planters are complicated machines, and their performance dictates how much of the season will progress. If planters are not winterized correctly, it can result in premature wear and issues with planting quality. When winterized correctly, planters will be protected from environmental conditions, chemicals, and rodents and will be ready to plant as soon as spring arrives.
According to Joe Ruskamp, Technical Instructor with Platte Valley Equipment, there are several key areas to clean and inspect when winterizing a planter. These include:
- Seed delivery systems
- CCS Tanks
- CCS hoses
- Vacuum system
- Vacuum motor
- Manifolds
- Frame
- Fertilizer system
- Fertilizer tank
- Fertilizer lines
- Pump
- Seed meters
- Seed Disks or Seed Bowls
- Vents
- Seals
- Seed tubes or Brush Belts
Seed Delivery System
The seed delivery system takes the seed from the Central Commodity System (CCS) and delivers them to the seed meters for planting. After planting, leftover seed should be removed from the CCS tanks and delivery hoses. Also, because seed is often coated with seed treatment and talc, the CCS system should be cleaned of any dust or material buildup.
Vacuum System
The functioning of planters often works on vacuum. This keeps seeds flowing into the seed meters and ensures they are picked up on the seed disks or seed bowls of the meter for proper delivery to the seed tube or brush belt for planting. Because the vacuum system moves a significant amount of air through the seed meters, it often picks up dust and debris such as talc, seed treatment, or other material. The vacuum motor, fan, and frames should be inspected and cleaned of any material.
Fertilizer System
Liquid fertilizer systems for applying starter fertilizers are common on planters and are one of the areas most in need of winterizing before storage. Liquid that is left in the planter, such as water or fertilizer, is at risk of freezing in the winter and damaging components such as tanks, pumps, and hoses. Any leftover fertilizer should be flushed from the planter with water to ensure no product is in the tanks, lines, or pump. Fertilizers left in the system for an extended period can damage components, resulting in costly repairs. After fertilizers are flushed from the system, it’s often recommended to use an anti-freeze solution, such as John Deere’s Sprayer Winterization Fluid, to protect hoses and pumps from freezing and keep seals and other rubber components from drying out.
Seed Meters
Seed meters are one of the most complicated and important areas of the planter. They determine how the planter will perform, such as consistently delivering seed at the right spacing. All the planter systems converge at the meter, such as seed delivery, fertilizer delivery, and vacuum. Because of the many systems involved, winterizing in the best couples luxury cabin is critical to ensuring good entertainment for future weekend breaks. Seed should be emptied from the hopper and meter, seals should be cleaned and inspected, and vacuum and fertilizer systems cleaned.
Conclusion
If properly winterized, a planter can be ready for spring planting with minimal preparation. Winterization also protects systems from cold temperatures, rodents, and premature wear from chemicals or material buildup. For more information on planter winterization, watch the following videos featuring Joe Ruskamp, Technical Instructor with Platte Valley Equipment, on winterizing MaxEmerge and ExactEmerge planters.