The solutions chosen to boost planting influence directly in the yield and profit of your farm.
An efficient planter ensures the distribution of seeds and fertilizer, optimizing the germination and development of the crop plants.
So, to get the most out of the agricultural machines, consider plenty of factors: choosing the best machine model with the proper number of row units for the crop field capacity, and the machine maintenance.
This article approaches strategies to boost your planter performance and provides tips to avoid wasting inputs and seeds. Additionally, it covers the Stara planting solutions, focusing on Estrela and Eva planters.
How can I reach the maximum performance of a planter?
-
Planning
Plan the planting season, setting efficient routes, avoiding idle times, and optimizing the supplying. Consider factors such as keeping the soil temperature, water availability, and weed control.
-
Technology
Use Precision Agriculture technologies such as the Row-by-Row Shut-Off System and Stara Machine Monitoring System for higher efficiency. One of the remarkable features of the Stara planters is the on-board technology. The agricultural controller Topper 5500 provides several planting solutions such as Telemetria Stara, Conecta, and the Zero Crop Damage.
-
Safe Operation
Operate the planter carefully, avoiding crashes, overloads, and following the operating limits of the machine.
-
Proper cleaning and storage
Remove residues of seeds, fertilizer and land after the planting operations to prevent the corrosion of components.
-
Maintenance
Preventing issues reduces the risk of unexpected stops during planting operations, keeping the agricultural machines always available for operations.
It is recommended to inspect the pneumatic components such as hoses and valves to make sure there aren’t any leaks or blocks.
Additionally, be sure the tires are correctly calibrated and the mobile parts are properly lubricated for an efficient performance.
To accomplish that, always follow the recommendations regarding the preventive maintenance and the correct time for lubrication, using genuine spare parts. It reduces costs with corrective repairs, prolonging the lifespan of the planter.
The technology allows you to have the periodic maintenance of your machines done in the recommended time. Thomas Liska, Stara agronomist engineer highlights the importance of having the maintenance of your machine in pre operation period:
Every year that goes by, our planting season becomes shorter. In the old days, we had two months for planting. Today, the planting windows are quite short. As a result, we need to plant faster and the machine cannot stop. For this reason, it’s important to have the maintenance service of your machine carried out. And, investing in state-of-the-art machines, which don’t require maintenance during the planting season.
The Stara Estrela planter is an example. It’s engineered for short planting window. “The planter doesn’t require lubrication while planting. So, you don’t need to stop the operation for lubrication. It’s a high-performance implement and is always ready for operations”, states Liska.
Have in mind the number of hectares a planter can cover a day.
Being aware of the technical specifications of the on-board technologies is crucial to reach the maximum performance of the agricultural technologies. It just adds when you choose an implement that delivers the ideal capacity for your field.
To learn the number of hectares a planter covers a day, consider that the operation capacity of the agricultural machine is influenced by a bunch of factors such as:
-
Terrain conditions
Flat terrains with good soil preparation before planting allow higher operation speeds, while slopes or rocky terrains reduce speeds.
-
Crop type
Different crops demand different spacing options between the row units and planting depth, which affects the operation speed.
-
Weather conditions
Rain, wind, and high moisture interrupt the operation or reduce the planting speed.
-
Number of row units
The more row units, the more covered area in a single pass. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the yield will be higher because other factors such as speed and efficiency influence too.
How to choose the number of row units of a planter?
Choosing the number of row units of a planter directly impacts the planting capacity and the operation efficiency. To make the right decision, take into consideration:
-
Farm Size
Larger farms benefit from planters with more row units, optimizing the planting time.
-
Spacing between row units
The spacing between row units varies according to the crop, influencing in the planter choice.
-
Tractor Traction Capacity
Make sure the tractor has enough capacity for the chosen planter.
-
Capacity for steering procedures
The planter length is crucial in bumpy or smaller areas. Before purchasing a planter, consider its size. The planter length varies according to the model and number of row units. It’s important to consider the operation width, which corresponds to the planted area width at every pass.
The Stara Estrela and Eva planters, for example, feature different configuration of row units and technologies that adapt to the needs of different farm sizes.
Adjustment of the agricultural machine: Five essential factors
You need to know how to adjust the planter correctly, ensuring uniform placement of the seeds, optimizing the germination and development of the crop plants.
The adjustment also avoids input waste, which influences on the production costs. This economy should be considered when calculating the profitability and investment return.
Check some tips on how to adjust the planter and how the planting solutions Stara Eva and Estrela can provide:
1.Calibration of the agricultural machine
Before starting the operations in the field, calibrate the agricultural machine following the technical instructions. When choosing a planter for your crop field, have in mind the technologies that reduce the operation preparation time.
Calibration of the Stara Eva planter, for example, is performed by a smartphone or Topper 5500 controller.
Calibrating the planter through a smartphone is one of the greatest Stara machines remarkable features. “There are machines that need 30 minutes, 40 minutes to be calibrated. Eva, on the other hand, is calibrated in five,” says agronomist engineer Thomas Liska – Stara Product Marketing Coordinator.
2.Seed distribution
Check the placement of the seeds, ensuring the correct spacing between the crop plants and the proper amount per metre, according to the crop. It makes sure of uniform germination.
3.Cutting system
Adjust the cutting system to ensure the proper furrow opening and good seed contact with the soil. The cutting disks and rings should be selected according to the type of soil and seeds. Replacing the discs should be considered too.
4.Hopper Level
Keeping the proper seed hopper level avoids planting failures and unnecessary stops.
5.Meter units
Calibrate the seed and fertilizer meters to guarantee the correct amount of inputs per hectare. The Estrela and Eva planters are equipped with the DPS-E electric meter. It ensures the precise distribution of seeds and fertilizer.
5 Stara planting solutions
Stara provides innovative planting solutions that guarantee high performance, technology, and efficiency in the crop field. Check out the highlights:
1.Estrela planter
Precise planting, innovative technology, robustness, and easy maintenance process. The remarkable features are the integrated terrain copy, hinge of the chassis through the pneumatic springs, hydraulic control of the pressure in the seed row units, the DPS-E electric meter, Row-by-Row Shut-Off System, and Topper 5500.
Learn more about the Stara Estrela planter
2.Eva planter
Agile and quality planting, on-board technology, and versatile for different crops. It features the Stara electric meter (DPS-E), controlled via smartphone or Topper 5500 VT with Telemetry, Syncro, Row-by-Row Shut-Off System.
Learn more about the Stara Eva planter
3.Topper 5500
The controller enables you to monitor and manage the planting operations by means of resources such as the Row-by-Row Shut-Off System, Telemetria Stara, Conecta, and Zero Crop Damage.
4.Telemetria Stara
Real time following of the planting operations, providing data about the applied area, seed consumption, machine speed, and other relevant pieces of information.
5.In person or remote Technical Assistance
You can count on our Stara team to answer questions, solve issues and receive expert technical support, as much in person as remotely, ensuring the maximum performance of your machines through Conecta.
Summary
This article approached strategies to boost the planter performance during planting operations. We listed instructions on how to adjust the agricultural machines and provided tips to choose the number of row units of the planter for better performance. Additionally, we presented the Stara planting solutions to boost yield using the agricultural technology.
Did you like the suggestions and want to learn more about agricultural machines?
Go to a Stara dealer and find out the technologies and agricultural implements that meet your crop field needs.
