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Not surprised. Every tractor dealer is getting more empty by the day here in MO. You can drive across the state and see lot after lot with only 1 or 2 tractors left. I hope these guys survive.
It was a tad bit intimidating to me when I first hooked it up. After using it a few times, I can tell you that it is very simple. The book is very accurate on all settings...so no calibrations were needed for me. I haven't used, nor plan on using, the native grass box, so I wish I didn't add that option. The main and small seed boxes are all I use. I was told to keep it clean and greased and she will last forever. I love mine so far. Planted all of my summer plots and switchgrass screens in June and just planted all of my fall plots 2 weeks ago. Pretty nice having my tiller, drag and cultipacker collecting dust! Hopefully, I will be drastically cutting back on herbicides too.
In the beginning you’re going to get off the tractor a bunch to check things. After a while you just go.
Two tips off hand.
1. Find a bare spot or driveway and engage it, drive a bit and go look at how much seed is coming out. Not scientific but it lets you know the darn thing is working.
2. if it’s wet you can plug the seed tubes up with mud. Been there done that.
2. Before you start planting, go to all the seed tubes and drop a couple seeds down to ensure they come out the bottom. Mice love making nests in the tubes etc. Nothing more frustrating than having a row plug up and not realizing it until you're done.
3. Trust the seed rates. It can be tough when you're doing a mix of say Oats and radishes, but break up the field into measurable sections. Say you nave 3.5 acres in a field. Break up the field into 1 acre chunks and put 1 acre worth of seed in.
4. Take notes of the above seeding rates from year to year. We're not planting corn and orchard grass only like a farmer would. We plant some weird stuff. So you'll have to accommodate and find something suitable.
5. I've got some good help here on seeding rates. ex. Plant Turnips at the perscribed rate as milo, that type of deal
6. Remember, you're not a cash cropper. If it's not perfect, the deer won't notice
A shop vac is great for emptying seed that is let over in the box when you’re done planting.
remember to put the seed size cup where it goes before filling it. If you’re like me you will open it all the way up to drain seed when your done. If you add seed next time with it opened, seed runs on the floor. (Don’t ask how I know this ;).
as mentioned notes are good.
pick a place on the seed depth setting thingy and measure where you have it and put that in your note to. It helps next time.
I also keep 2 dedicated small adjustable wrenches in the box for instructions. Let’s you adjust depth in the field and they’re always there when you need them.