Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.


If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

Field Validation of Seed Meter Performance at Varying Seeding Rates and Ground Speeds

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2017 ASABE Annual International Meeting  1701309.(doi:10.13031/aim.201701309)
Authors:   Simerjeet S. Virk, John P. Fulton, Wesley M. Porter, Gregory L. Pate
Keywords:   Seed Meter, Meter Setup, Field Performance, Meter Speed, VR Seeding

Abstract. Optimum planter performance requires achieving near-perfect seed meter performance in the field during planting. In-field meter performance can be impacted by several factors including meter setup, ground speed, planter vibration, and field conditions. An investigation was conducted to evaluate seed meter performance on a planter in nominal field conditions and on a planter test stand in the laboratory. Further, a comparison between field and test stand data was performed to evaluate the effect of planter operation and field conditions on seed meter performance. Two different types of seed metering units (John Deere Standard and Precision Planting‘s eSet setups) were used for planting corn at five different seeding rates (49, 59, 69, 79 & 89 ksds/ha) and four ground speed treatments (6.0, 7.0, 8.2 & 9.4 km/hr). Field tests were performed by uploading variable-rate seeding prescription maps into the planter rate controller and then travelling at the required ground speed for each pass. Static laboratory tests comprised of running the metering units on a test stand at the same target seeding rate and ground speed treatments utilized during the field tests. Field data collection consisted of measuring plant population, plant spacing and crop yield. Meter performance was evaluated based on actual seeding rate, seed spacing, singulation (%), skips (%) and doubles (%) obtained from both field and laboratory data. Results from field data analysis suggested that meter performance begins to degrade at higher meter speeds (>35 rpm) for both meter types as indicated by higher CV (>30%) values for seed spacing. Field validation results indicated that actual seeding rates obtained in the field were consistently lower than the seeding rates obtained on the test stand for PP eSet meter, which can be attributed to planter vibration, field conditions, and other in-field factors that can affect plant population. The eSet meter setup exhibited high performance (99-100% singulation and 0-1% skips/doubles) on the test stand as compared to the field performance (96-98% singulation and 2-4% skips/doubles). However, field performance for JD standard meter was better than meter performance on test stand. Yield data analysis suggested that yield potential can be impacted by planting at higher than nominal ground speeds (8.2 and 9.4 km/hr) for both meter setups. The results of this study emphasized the importance of using correct seed meter type and meter settings for achieving high planter performance during field operation.

(Download PDF)    (Export to EndNotes)