The agriculture industry is one of the most important parts of any country’s economy. In fact, it accounts for nearly half of the gross domestic product in some countries. It is also a major source of employment and income for many people.
As such, it’s no surprise that there has been much research done on how to improve the efficiency of this industry. One area of particular interest is corn planters. These machines are used to plant corn seed into the soil so that they can grow into mature plants.
There are several different types of corn planters available on the market today, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The type of corn planter you choose will depend on your specific needs and budget as well as how much experience you have using these kinds of machines.
Types of Corn Planters
There are three main types of corn planters:
- Tandem: Tandem corn planters have two rows at once and can be used for small or large acreages. It is the most common type of planter on the market today.
- Single Row: Single row corn planters only have one row, but they can be used on larger acreages. This is usually used in areas where there is no need for multiple rows and more seeds are needed per acreage.
- Drill Seeders: Drill seeders are typically used in smaller areas with less seeds per acreage because they plant one seed every few inches instead of one seed every inch or two as tandem and single row corn planters do.
What to Look for in Corn Planters
When you’re shopping for a corn planter, there are several things you should keep in mind.
1. Planter Width
This is the width between the rows of corn that you’ll be planting. It’s important to have the correct planter width because too wide and you’ll waste space, too narrow and your yield will suffer. The most common sizes are 30″ or 36″.
2. Row Spacing
The row spacing refers to how far apart each row is planted from each other. This is measured in inches or centimetres and should be based on how large your equipment can go. The most common row spacings are 18″ (45 cm), 24″ (60 cm) or 36″ (90 cm).
3. Depth Control Mechanism
Your corn planter should have an adjustable depth control mechanism so that it can plant at different depths depending on what kind of soil you’re planting in and what type of seed you’re using (semi-professional growers will likely use hybrid seeds which need less depth).
Conclusion
Well, everything goes back to your soil type. If you have a heavy clay soil or very acidic soil, you might need a larger planter so that you can get your corn in the ground and still plant adequate rows for the amount of nutrients needed. A smaller planter just would not work well for having enough room to create ground between rows. A larger planter would also be better if you have an area that is not straight and is hilly. A smaller planter would not have enough soil where it would be buried in dirt on the end of rows where there is an incline, while a larger planter could finish at the same depth even though it was in a hill and would not bury the end of the row while crossing it.
Next time you’re in the market for a new planter, keep this in mind. What size machine best fits your needs? How do you decide between one of the many, varied planter options on the market? It’s helpful to know what features are available and how they all work together. That way, you can make a decision that’s right for your land, your production goals and your capabilities.
