SEEDING MACHINERY 13! 



177. Wire reel. Two types of check wire reels have 

 been developed: one to reel by friction contact to the 

 planter wheel, and one to reel under the scat with a chain 

 to the main axle, using a friction clutch on the spool. It 

 is claimed to be desirable to wind the wire on a solid, 

 smooth drum rather than on a reel, as the former kinks 

 the wire less. 



178. Conveniences. In making a purchase of a planter 

 it is well to have in mind the conveniences which may be 

 had, as well as the matter of strength, durability, and 

 accuracy. Convenience in turning and reeling the wire 

 is first to be considered. Another advantage offered by 

 some planters over others is in the convenience of 

 changing plates. It is very handy to have a seed box 

 which may be tipped over and emptied without picking 

 the seed out by hand. 



The planter should have an adjustable tongue by which 

 the front may be kept level. Unless the planter front is 

 level, an accurate check cannot be obtained if the heel of 

 the furrow opener is too far ahead or too far to the rear. 

 It is impossible to get an even check if the planter front 

 is not carried level. 



It is desirable to have the check-rower arms act inde- 

 pendently of each other, as it relieves the wire of some 

 work. Two types of check heads for check rowers are 

 used, the vertical and horizontal, both seem to be equally 

 satisfactory. 



179. Draft of planters. Draft tests gave the following 

 results for the mean draft of two styles of planters : 



Planter with open wheels 212 pounds 



Planter with double wheels 237 pounds 



180. Calibration of planters. It is an undisputed fact 

 that high accuracy cannot be secured with any planter 



