On-The-Go Tire Inflation For Planters

On-The-Go Tire Inflation For Planters PLANTING EQUIPMENT Modifications Precision Inflation’s automatic tire pressure adjustment system is now available for Deere NT narrow transport planters FARM SHOW readers were introduced to the technology in a report from a European farm show 30 years ago Vol 16 No 1 In 2012 Precision Inflation began distributing it in the U S Vol 37 No 2     “The system worked well on the Deere DB planter series ” says Ken Brodbeck Precision Inflation “Last year we tested out a new design on Deere NT planters and similar style Case IH planters It lets the operator run the planter tires at full pressure in transit to the field Once in the field they can lower the pressure to reduce the pinch row effect that can limit emergence and yield ”     Brodbeck explains that the design of NT planter wheel systems didn’t leave space for the original inflation system Engineers at the manufacturer in Germany tackled the problem and came up with a compact solution     “They designed a rotary union that attaches to wheel hubs to raise and lower air pressure on the go ” explains Brodbeck     When tested by a farmer in 2021 the benefits were clear His planter had 95/75 R22 5 VF tires with a recommended pressure of 60 psi on the road The tractor tires were 480/80 R50 with a road pressure of 30 psi     For comparison purposes he ran the planter and tractor at suggested road pressures and again at optimum field pressures of 14 psi on the tractor and 24 on the planter     “With the planter basically empty initial seed emergence with high-pressure tires was 20 000 out of 32 000 seeds planted ” says Brodbeck “Emergence with the tires at 24 psi was 30 000 out of 32 000 Those that emerged later in the high-pressure pinch rows were shorter and had a stubby-type ear     “The farmer also noted a visible difference in root balls dug from the high and low-pressure trials ” adds Brodbeck     He suspects that the pressure wave created when the high-pressure tires pass by temporarily compresses the soil When the soil bounces back it reduces the seed-to-soil contact     “Low-pressure tires don’t create that pressure wave so the soil is not disturbed as the tire passes ” says Brodbeck “The planter also pulls easier on the low-pressure tires and there is less rutting in the field ”     List price for the narrow transit style planter inflation adjustment system is $10 500 Systems for other applications vary from $5 000 to $20 000     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Precision Inflation 1025 S Willow Circle West Des Moines Iowa 50266 ph 515-707-0903; info@precisioninflation com; www PrecisionInflation com

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