FARGO, N.D. – Seed rows that didn’t get their fair share of start-up fertilizer can stand out like sore thumbs.
Unfortunately, it’s always easier spotting the plugged lines in June than it is at seeding time.
It’s a familiar problem, says Brent Wiesenburger of Aberdeen, S.D.
He said it can be embarrassing to see rows that are lagging behind the others because they didn’t receive their phosphate.
“And all the world sees your mistake” from the road.
At this year’s Big Iron Show in Fargo, all the world got to see Wiesenburger’s solution to plugged liquid lines. He calls his invention Totally Tubular.
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In side-by-side field tests, the Totally Tubular system had a 5.8 bushel yield advantage over corn planted with a Seed Firmer. This was due, in part, to an average of 22 more corn plants per acre.
“The system consists of a stainless steel tube, which places the liquid 3/8 of an inch below the seed,” Wiesenburger said. “Up top, we have the pressure monitoring gauge and a floating ball indicator for each liquid line. As long as all the balls are floating, you know all the lines are flowing.
“If a ball drops, you know that line is plugged. It’s exact. You know precisely which line to go to immediately. No wasted time and no long rows that lag behind the rest of your field through the whole growing season.”
He uses a pressure system rather than a gravity flow system to ensure the same volume of liquid goes down each run.
As well, pressurized liquid is less likely to plug when the end of the tube is in wet soil. Accurately placing the liquid below the seed is the key factor, he added.
“Phosphate is never mobile in the soil. It simply does not move. That’s why you want it directly below the seed. The early roots grow down so you get quick response. With phosphate 3/8 of an inch below, the roots gain access right away and your crop is off to a good start,” he said.
“The manifold monitor tells you how much liquid is going through the orifice, so you know you’re putting down the rate you want.”
All metal components are stainless steel to resist the corrosion of liquid fertilizer. The system is available for John Deere, Kinze, Great Plains, Case IH and White corn planters.
Stainless steel tubes cost $41 each, including a new seed tube protector. Floating ball gauges cost $15.
For more information, contact Brent Wiesenburger at 605-262-0212 or visit www.totally-tubular.net.
