Some Actual Questions and Answers Concerning the YP-1625 Twin Row Planter From a "User Point of View"
Question #1-- "How do you like your Great Plains Planter?"
Answer #1--"We like it. It appears to be a combination of some new and some "time tested" technology. As with any new machine, it took some getting used to. Twin row planting is a concept that we really like for both corn and soybean production. We think that NOT having to buy a new cornhead and at the same time changing row spacing is a great idea!! We also like the 22 inch gap regarding late applications of post emergence herbicides. It appears to us that you don't run over as many plants as compared to spraying solid seeded soybeans." (Please read on)
Question #2-- "Did you have problems with your planter and what were they"?
Answer #2--"Yes, there were a few problems. Great Plains has provided many updates over the past 2 years. These updates have eliminated most of the problems. However, we did have one major problem in 2006. The main drive chains were of inferior quality. We replaced them and the problem was solved. It's our understanding that Great Plains now has acquired a better product as a replacement for the original drive chain".
Question #3--"What was the #1 problem you had concerning your planter"?
Answer #3--"Our #1 problem wasn't with the planter itself but was instead with inadequate tractor hydraulics. Our planting tractor of choice didn't have enough. We, along with our dealer, have developed a PTO pump that eliminates this problem. If you're interested please contact Gathman Ag Systems and NOT US!!" (Please note that the hydraulic requirements for a YP-1625 aren't any greater than those for several other major brands. It appears that in many cases they're actually less.)
Update: In 2008 we we traded planting tractors. In 2009 we traded again for one with factory installed auto steer equipment. Both, a Case-IH MX245 and then a Case-IH MX275 were equipped with 60 gpm hydraulics. Either tractor had more than enough HP and more than enough hydraulic capacity to handle the YP-1625 planter. From our experience, we highly recommend using a planting tractor with surplus hydraulics.
Question #4-- "Did you have any problems spraying post emergence herbicides in twin rows?"
Answer #4--"We don't do our own spraying. Our local coop, Sunrise Ag, does it for us. They did a great job!! 3 different individuals sprayed our crops last year and we questioned all 3 regarding spraying "twins". Granted, they would rather spray conventional thirties but each stated that they had no problems spraying twin rows."
Question #5-- "Did you have any problems harvesting in twin rows?"
Answer #5--"No we didn't. If you can combine soybeans in 30-inch rows you shouldn't have problems combining "twins". As for corn, we had no problems, either. However, we'd like to make 2 points. First, have your cornhead in good condition. You'll most likely have more stalks to deal with because of higher populations. It also appears to us that these stalks may be of higher quality. Our second observation is this. Picking corn in twin rows is a more "heads up" proposition. A good operator shouldn't have any problems picking "twins" but he/she will probably find it somewhat more challenging than picking conventional 30-inch rows."
Question #6-- "Did you no till any soybeans (in cornstalks) with your Great Plains planter?"
Answer #6--"Yes we did and it worked great!!".
We're going to end it here. The questions above were real and the answers, although edited, are the ones we gave. Perhaps you found them interesting. Please note that we do NOT sell Great Plains equipment. If you have more questions please contact a Great Plains dealer.
Have a Safe and Successful 2009!!