closing wheels

[6620]

Hello,

I have heard about spike tooth closing wheel in conjuntion with a rubber closing wheel. Has anyone tried this combination? They reccommend a larger diameter spike wheel than the closing whhel next to it.

I think the rationale was that the spike wheel mixes the dirt more allowing the rubber closing wheel to close better?

I am thinking about taking off the row cleaners (don't really need them) and usuing one of them in the back.

any thoughts on this - has it made much of a difference.

[Big Cob]

6620
We actually just ordered a set for our corn planter , we were told that in a little tougher seedbed condition (Lumpy) that thay will help with seed to soil contact and in a finer seedbed they leave enough texture to the seed trench surface that it doesn't crust over quite as bad.
I talked to a number of guys that seemed to like them.
I'll know more after this season , we ordered the spiked closing wheels from Yetter.

Mark

[okpanhandle]

I thought about replacing one of the rubber closing wheels with an old Martin trash wheel last year. I got busy with other things and was away from the farm for a day, but when I got back Dad had already tried it, decided it didn't work, and had the rubber wheel back on. I just took his word for it.

Most spiked-rubber wheel combinations I've seen have a bigger spiked wheel, and the smaller diameter trash whipper didn't seem to be the right tool for the job.

[wheatworld]

Spike closing wheels tend to chop the soil on the side of the seed trench to break up any side wall compaction issues, they help to close the seed trench especially in sticky soils, and they leave a chopped soil surface that prevents crusting. If you get them, you install the larger spike closing wheel on one side and leave the factory rubber closing wheel on the other side of each row unit. I've tried Dawn curve tine closing wheels and they just didn't seem to do much cause of the curved tines. I've planted almost 13000 acres with Martin spike closing wheels and have been very impressed. You will definately see a big difference in wet conditions.

[wifarmer]

We actually just put on 1 martin spike wheel per unit on our planter today after much research and talking with other local producers they all seem to like this set up the best. We have one rubber 13" wheel and then the spike wheels are 15" diameter. We also put drag chains on and will be running the totally tubular tubes for dribbling fertilizer out the back. We hope the spike wheel will break up the sidewall compaction and the chain will help incorporate the fertilizer better. Hopefully it works out...time will tell, planting season will be here before you know it.

[6620]

I think this definitley worth a try. I really like the idea of less crusting, emergence on clay is always a challenge. thanks

[8850jd]

Make sure you have the fingures the right direction so they firm instead of throw, that set up works really well in wet tough conditions. We have been running them like that for a few years and makes a good seed bed. I personally dont need the drag chains, but also be careful they dont funnel to much dirt over top of the seed, may not be an issue, but accidently changing depth in soft loose soil. Might not be an issue, but check.

[6620]

8850jd,

When you say fingers in the right direction, do you mean the angle of the tip at the end of the spike? Mine are straight but on the end of the spike there is an angle that leads up to the tip of the spike.

I just put them on, when they rotate the shorter end of the spike contacts the dirt first. Does that sound right?

[wifarmer]

Yes 6620 it sounds like you have them installed correctly, thats how we have ours installed.