Getting accurate seed spacing is particularly important for corn crops, according to agronomists. But several components in a planter’s mechanical drive system, such as worn or rusty drive chains, can potentially cause problems with spacing accuracy. The trend today among many manufacturers is to offer electric drive systems as an option to eliminate that problem.
Placing an electric motor on each meter ensures smooth, even rotation without those potential interruptions from mechanical linkages. And with a separately controlled drive mechanism on each meter, there are all kinds of opportunities for specialized features like turn compensation.
In February, Kinze announced it would add an electric drive option to its popular model 3660 planter. 12- and 16-row versions with electric drive will be available in time for the 2016 seeding season.
“The electric drive eliminates the need for clutches and offers greater maintenance simplicity (no drive shafts, chains, bearings, sprockets, etc.),” reads a company press release. “The new meter allows for turning compensation and row-by-row variable rate planting, and will utilize heavy-duty, high torque 24-volt meter motors that are fully sealed against dust and moisture.”
These planters will use the company’s 4000 Series vacuum metering system. And the electric drive system can be controlled from any ISOBUS compatible in-cab monitor. If you order a monitor with the planter, you’ll get Raven’s Viper 4.
“Kinze continues to offer the Raven Viper 4 monitor with a format specifically designed for ISOBUS that allows continuous viewing of critical planter functions, including the coverage map,” adds the company press release. “The customizable LED touchscreen with ‘touch and move’ widgets display information in an easy-to-use format. The monitor contains 30 GB of internal storage and is Slingshot ready.”
