Home-Built Precision Seeder

Home-Built Precision Seeder PLANTERS Planters 29-1-4 "I've planted 670 acres of corn, 1,100 acres of soybeans, and 300 acres of wheat so far with this precision air seeder which I finished building in the spring of 2004," says Darren R. Smith, Clarkton, Mo. "It will plant 9 1/2, 19, or 38-in. rows or any combination of the three. It has a 120 bu. air box that feeds 47 precision meters mounted on the planter row units. The meters are powered by hydraulic motors controlled by an experimental computer mounted in the cab. The computer monitors the popularity of each row, and can even send emails or be used to play video games. "Each row unit is equipped with in-furrow spray attachments and seed firmers. "One unique feature on this planter is that it's fitted with a Yetter Seed Jet unit that loads and unloads the planter hopper. In adddition, there is also a rear view camera mounted on back of the planter. The rear toolbar and units are designed to be quickly detached if the operator wants to plant only 38-in. corn or 19-in. beans. It's capable of planting 19-in. corn as well. "This planter has allowed me to reduce my soybean population from 200,000 seeds per acre down to 120,000 while increasing my yields due to equal distance spacing of the beans in 9 1/2-in. rows." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Darren R. Smith, Smith Farms, Rt. 1, Box 92, Clarkton, Mo. 63837 (ph 573-448-3680)

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