
Great Plains | 411-633M | 10/21/2021
78
PL5500 Planter
Troubleshooting
Seed Population Too Low
Problem
Cause
Solution
Low
population,
single row
Seed inlet gate opening too wide,
interfering with meter pressurization
Adjust the gate to lower setting (page 33).
Seed inlet gate opening too narrow,
starving meter of seed (low seed
pool)
Adjust the gate to higher setting (page 33).
Meter starvation due to bridging at
gate
Re
-
adjust for gate bridging (page 34).
If the seed is treated, increase seed lubricant.
Meter starvation due to blockage
above inlet
Clear blockage.
Meter starvation due to bridging
above inlet, caused by high levels of
seed treatment
Clear bridge. Increase seed lubricant.
Incorrect seed disk on one row
Install correct seed disk.
Chain skipping at one row
Check chain, idlers, chain slack, and sprocket condition.
Skips due to low meter pressurization
at one or several rows
Check seed inlet gate setting.
Check for excess wear on seed drop brush.
Check for loose or leaking pressure hose.
Skips due to debris in disk cells
Remove rain covers. Inspect and clean out disks.
Row has blank disk installed
Replace with seeding disk.
Seed sensor obscured
Clean out seed tube.
Seed tube plugged
Raise planter, expose bottom of seed tube, and clean out.
Low or erratic
seed flow
Seed meter plugged, due to
operating with fan shut off, or
manifold pressure too low
Close seed inlet gates. Clean out meters. Set fan for
correct pressure. Resume planting.
Overall low
population
Incorrect seed rate
Check seed rate charts.
Incorrect ground drive transmission
or range sprockets used
Check transmission sprocket or range sprocket tooth
counts and DRIVING/DRIVEN locations (page 35).
Empty cells in seed disk due to
insufficient air pressure
Slowly increase the meter pressurization (page 29).
Empty cells in seed disk due to sticky
seed treatments not allowing seed to
rapidly fill the cells
Increase seed lubricant (page 31).
Empty cells in seed disk due to rough
field conditions causing seeds to fall
from the disk
Decrease field speed or increase the air pressure in the
meter.