FurrowForce helps corn planters optimise closing

Designed to fit new or existing planters already in service, the closer assembly comprises a rubber buffered frame to mount 2 scimitar-toothed discs to the planter, and a ‘Y’ shaped arm for the 2 stitching wheels that follow.

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The FurrowForce closer assembly from Precision Planting. – Photos: Precision Planting

No slotting or air gaps

Precision Planting, based in the United States, says the ideal planter closing system leaves no slotting or air gaps and provides a ‘mellow’ path to the surface for seedlings while consolidating the soil sufficiently to retain moisture.

But with many variables in terms of hardware wheel type, wheel position, pressure setting, and so on, it is challenging to get it right, especially across varying soil types or seedbed conditions, and impossible to monitor without repeated excursions from the tractor seat.

The company’s FurrowForce design aims to provide consistent results across fields with inconsistent soil characteristics through a 2-stage closing process and the ‘visibility’ provided by a row-by-row display on the Precision Planting 20|20 in-cab display.

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Removing air gaps

For the first stage, the pinch wheels are said to be positioned further apart than traditional designs and angled to move soil horizontally with the purpose of removing air gaps. Next come a pair of horizontally-ribbed stitch wheels designed to create the soil density required for moisture retention and speedy seed germination.

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Consistent soil firming

A gauge pin on the linkage that connects these components provides the depth setting for the pinch wheels relative to the stitch, while a load cell measures the pressure applied to provide the read-out in the cab. The operator can then make on-the-move adjustments via a control valve to keep the system producing consistent soil firming across the planter and in changing conditions.