MACHINERY GUIDE
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Planter Closing Wheels
Company Product Description Models & Price
Abilene Machine
P.O. Box 129 Abilene, KS 67410(800) 255-0337www.abilenemachine.com
AGCO-White
AGCO AnswersP.O. Box 20024Bloomington, MN 55420(877) 525-4384www.whiteplanter. agcocorp.com
Rubber Closing Wheels
Angled Rubber Press Wheels
Angled Cast-Iron Press Wheels
Single V Trench Press Wheel
Ranging from 3.40 lb. to 3.75 lb., these 1"x12" rubber wheels are designed to fit OEM planters with accompanying closing wheel assembly kit.
Weighing 19 lb. per row, the angled rubber press wheels improve seed-to-soil contact in heavy-tilled soil and moderate no-till conditions. Adjustment of the wheels is provided by stag-gering fore and aft and changing the width from 1.25" to 2.88".
The angled cast-iron press wheels weigh 54 lb. per row and are recommended for tough no-till planting conditions. Adjust-ment of the wheels is provided by staggering fore and aft and changing the width from 1.25" to 2.88" for improved performance.
The single V trench press wheel weighs 21 lb. and firms both sides of the seed trench in mellow soil conditions. It is advantageous for shallow plant-ing in tilled soil. The center of the seed trench is capped for a soft top to improve plant emergence.
John Deere and Kinze planters
$26.50 to $29.50 per wheel
All White planters
$266 per row assembly
All White planters
$306 per row assembly
All White planters
$169 per row assembly
A list of planter closing wheels on the market BY MARGY FISCHER
Planter Attachment Guide
Many farmers acknowledge the importance of the planter pass and know that fine-tuning the machine’s performance can lead to higher yields. Properly closing the
seed furrow results in even emergence, picket fence stands and photocopy ears.
At Farm Journal, we receive numerous questions about the options available for today’s corn and soybean planters. To help farmers navigate the many planter attachment options, we’ve assembled the following list of closing wheels available from the OEM companies as well as aftermarket suppliers. The table is limited to closing wheels designed for
planters and the units that work for common condi-tions in corn and soybean fields.
Knowing that farmers deal with varying soil con-ditions, manufacturers offer an equally diverse number of closing wheels that range in weight, material and design to match the field. Many of these wheels are designed in response to tough no-till conditions.
Some of the wheel designs and field conditions require using a seed firmer, drag chain or other equipment with the closing wheel assembly. Check with each manufacturer for their recommended setup for your field conditions.
2012 MACHINERY GUIDE n FARMJOURNAL n 25
Company Product Description Models & Price
Copperhead Ag Products
26119 S. Robin DriveSioux Falls, SD 57107(605) 261-3634www.copperheadag.com
Dawn Equipment
P.O. Box 497 Sycamore, IL 60178(800) 554-0007http://dawnequipment.com
Exapta Solutions
P.O. Box 952Salina, KS 67402(785) 820-8000www.exapta.com
Great Plains Manufacturing
1525 E. North St.Salina, KS 67401(785) 823-3276www.greatplainsmfg.com
Case IH
621 State St.Racine, WI 53404(877) 422-7344www.caseih.com
Furrow Cruiser Wheels
Curvetine XR Closing Wheels
Thompson Wheels
Rubber Wheels
Wedge Wheels
Spider Wheels
Early Riser Closing System
These wheels measure 13¾" and feature built-in depth control. The Furrow Cruiser is recommended to be used on both sides of the row. The design provides a com-bination of sidewall crumbling and soil firming. Angular tooth design prevents clogging.
Measuring 13" and weighing 13.5 lb., the Curvetine closing wheels chip in the sidewall and crumble the soil to promote lateral root penetration. The thumb-like tooth firms and provides seed-to-soil contact. Multiple configura-tions for varying field conditions.
Measuring 12¼" and weighing 9.1 lb., Thompson wheels are designed to be run on both sides of the row. Primarily designed for no-till conditions, the thin edge slices easily into the soil to break down the sidewall. The tapering sides limit the depth.
The 1"x12" rubber wheels weigh 3.5 lb. with poly inserts. This design closes the seed trench with an aggressive pinching action. It provides excellent depth control in most soil conditions.
Measuring 1¼"x13½", these poly sided wheels weigh 5 lb. and are similar to cast but more forgiving because of the slightly larger footprint. An aggressive tapered edge closes seedbeds in firm soil, but a large footprint allows it to stay on top in loose soil.
Weighing 8 lb. and measuring 12¼" tip to tip, these spoked wheels are designed for no-till and worked ground. The foot is designed to tip out and push soil toward the seed and take the sidewall out. It pulls soil into the row for seed-to-soil contact.
Early Riser inverted closing disks return soil, captured by the gauge wheel retention grooves, back into the furrow and then squeeze it closed. A wide, zero pressure press wheel gently seals the furrow. To be used in a variety of conditions, especially no-till.
Fit onto existing wheel hubs of John Deere, Kinze and late model White planters
$130 per row, insert only; $210 per row for complete assembly
John Deere, Kinze and White (out of the box); special kits for Case IH, Great Plains and Monosem planters
$129 per row
Great Plains, John Deere, Kinze and Monosem with gauge wheel design; and White 6000 and 8000 planters
$106 per wheel
All Great Plains planters
$130 for two wheel assemblies
All Great Plains planters $150 for two wheel assemblies
All Great Plains planters
$165 for two wheel assemblies
All Case IH planters Closing system sold as part of complete row unit
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MACHINERY GUIDE
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Planter Closing WheelsCompany Product Description Models & Price
Martin Industries
P.O. Box 428Elkton, KY 42220(800) 366-5817www.martintill.com
Kinze Manufacturing
P.O. Box 806Williamsburg, IA 52361(319) 668-1300www.kinze.com
Cast-Iron Wheels
Spading Closing Wheels
Rubber Wheels
Cast-Iron Wheels
Measuring 1"x12", these closing wheels are best for tough soil and heavy residue conditions when more pressure is needed to close the furrow. Angle and stagger adjustments are identical to the standard rubber wheel.
The spaded wheel is available in 13" and 15" diameters. The 13" wheel runs with two spader wheels on each row, each weigh-ing 7.5 lb. The 15" wheel weighs 10 lb. and can be paired with a solid wheel. The wheels close the seed trench from the bottom up.
Weighing 3 lb. and measuring 1"x12", the rubber wheels are adjustable for width, offset and down pressure. These settings give the operator choices to ensure proper seed-to-soil contact in conventional to moderate no-till field conditions.
Measuring 1"x12", the solid cast wheels have the same adjustment opportunities as above. Weighing 55 lb. with a more aggressive hard edge to the wheel, cast closers can provide the necessary seed- to-soil contact in moderate to heavy no-till conditions.
All John Deere planters
$348 per row assembly
John Deere, Kinze and White planters
Contact your dealer
All Kinze planters
$100 per row
All Kinze planters
$170 per row
John Deere
501 River DriveMoline, IL 61265(866) 993-3373www.deere.com
Rubber Tire Closing Wheels
Measuring 1"x12", this type of closing wheel works well for most conventional to no-till fields. Spacing between the wheels can be adjusted; wheels can also be pressured or staggered for positive seed-to-soil contact and improved residue flow.
All John Deere planters
$299 per row assembly
Schaffert Manufacturing
71495 Road 397Indianola, NE 69034(800) 382-2607www.schaffert.com
The Mohawk ring features 1"- square pegs and installs on existing rubber wheels. Designed for all seedbeds, it can be used on a single side or both. The pegs are angled down, so as the wheel goes forward, the soil is released and not spaded out.
Designed for 12" wheels; universal ring and kit available.
$45 per ring
Mohawk Closing Wheels
Poly Tech Industries
P.O. Drawer 349 Monticello, GA 31064(800) 542-7659www.polyskid.com
Rubber Closing Wheels
This 1"x12" rubber closing wheel is designed for OEM planters. The plastic wheel halves weigh 3.4 lb. to 5.9 lb.
John Deere and Kinze planters
$33 to $40 per wheel
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MACHINERY GUIDE
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Planter Closing Wheels
Company Product Description Models & Price
Shoup
3 Stuart DriveKankakee, IL 60901(800) 627-6137www.shoupparts.com
Cast-Iron Wheels
Weighing 22 lb., this solid cast-iron wheel measures 12". Designed for no-till and fits most OEM planters.
John Deere, Kinze, Monosem and White planters
$49.95 per wheel
S.I. Distributing
13540 Spencerville RoadSpencerville, OH 45887(800) 368-7773www.sidist.com
Cast-Iron Wheels
Close-N-Till Wheels
Finger-Till Wheels
Measuring the standard 12" diameter and weighing 23 lb., this solid cast wheel fits most OEM planters. It is angled at bottom to push seed trench together.
Weighing 18 lb. and measuring 13" in diameter, these are designed to be less aggressive than the Finger-Till wheels and lighter than cast-iron wheels. The fins break up clods and fine up the topsoil above the seed. Work best in dry no-till conditions.
This wheel weighs 16 lb., mea-sures 13" and works best wet no-till conditions. The Finger-Till wheels are more aggressive than the Close-N-Till wheels. The fin-gers reduce sidewall compaction and the fins break up clods and firm the soil above the seed.
John Deere, Kinze and White planters
$54.50 per wheel
John Deere, Kinze and White planters
$72 per wheel
John Deere, Kinze and White planters
$90 per wheel
Spiked Closing Wheels
This 15"-diameter spike wheel is designed to run opposite a rubber wheel. The backswept, angled- tooth design penetrates the soil easily and prevents soil buildup in wet conditions.
John Deere and Kinze planters
$88.95 per wheel
Schlagel Mfg.
4154 Buttermilk RoadTorrington, WY 82240(888) 889-1504www.schlagel.net
Posi Close Wheels
Designed to eliminate sidewall compaction, these wheels mea-sure 13" in diameter and weigh 9 lb. With the patented horizontal rod design and with a wide ground path, Posi Close wheels leave loose soil over seed to prevent baking and crusting.
Case IH, John Deere, Kinze, Monosem and White planters
$155 per row
Rubber Closing Wheels
Measuring 1"x12", this rubber wheel is designed to fit most OEM planters.
John Deere, Kinze, Monosem and White planters
$34.95 or $35.95
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MACHINERY GUIDE
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Planter Closing Wheels
Company Product Description Models & Price
Yetter Manufacturing
P.O. Box 358Colchester, IL 62326(800) 447-5777www.yetterco.com
V Closing Wheels
These angled wheels provide optimum seed-to-soil contact and feature adjustable spring tension. Available with 1"x12" rubber or spike wheels in parallel or staggered position.
Case IH planters
$225 per row
Paddle Wheels This 13" wheel features paddle-shaped fins, designed to close the seed trench in challenging conditions including wet soils.
John Deere, Kinze and White planters
$180 per row
Solid Cast Spike Closing Wheels
Measuring 15", this wheel lifts and fractures soil with its tooth design. The wide-crowned depth band controls spike depth and seed disturbance. An optional scraper cleans the wheel as the spike exits the soil.
John Deere, Kinze and White planters
$180 per row
Serrated Closing Disks
Entering the soil in an almost vertical position, the serrations along the outer diameter churn the soil. The concave design of the disk is pushed toward the open seed trench to enhance the closing wheel action.
Case IH planters
$77 per row
6200 Firming Wheels
This add-on firming wheel is designed to be run instead of the standard drag chain. It seals the seed opening and gently firms the seedbed. It features adjust-able spring pressure to eliminate air pockets and follow the changing ground contour.
John Deere, Kinze and White 8000 planters
$335 per row
To watch in-the-field videos and learn more about the planter closing wheels featured in this table, visit
www.FarmJournal.com/closing_wheels
Martin Spading Closing Wheels
This spaded wheel is available in 13" and 15" diameters. The 13" wheel runs with two spader wheels on each row, each weigh-ing 7.5 lb. The 15" wheel weighs 10 lb. and can be paired with a solid wheel. The wheels close the seed trench from the bottom up.
John Deere, Kinze and White planters
Double, $216 per pair; single, $116 per wheel
S.I. Distributing
13540 Spencerville RoadSpencerville, OH 45887(800) 368-7773www.sidist.com