Vacuum Meter

Symptom Problem Solution

False monitor reading.

Dirty seed tube sensors.

Clean sensors. See CLEAN SEED TUBE SENSOR in Service and Adjustment section.

No seed being planted.

Row unit hoppers empty.

Fill hoppers.

No vacuum.

See Low Vacuum under VACUUM METER in Troubleshoot section.

Seed tubes plugged or damaged.

Inspect seed tubes. Ensure that seed tubes are hooked properly in unit shank. Replace if damaged.

Clean off mud with cleaning brush.

Drive not engaged.

Engage meter drive tabs.

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Symptom Problem Solution

Poor seed spacing.

Seed disk vacuum holes plugged.

Clean seed disks.

Farmer-applied seed treatment causes buildup, seeds stick.

Follow recommended talc usage and application procedure.

Clean meter and disks.

Worn meter brushes.

Replace brushes.

Low vacuum.

See Low Vacuum under VACUUM METER in Troubleshoot section.

Rusty planting unit or seed drive chains.

Lubricate chains and check for freedom of movement.

Dirt buildup on herbicide or insecticide drive.

Clean drive.

Worn meter seals.

Replace seals.

Seed disk hubs misadjusted.

Readjust hubs.

Incorrect vacuum for the seed being planted.

Adjust vacuum level to recommended setting.

Faulty vacuum gauge.

Check air line to gauge. Clean if plugged. Replace if cut.

Worn seed disks.

Replace disks.

Seed tubes improperly installed or worn.

Install seed tubes correctly. Ensure that seed tube hook is properly positioned in unit shank.

Mud inside seed tubes.

Clean off mud with cleaning brush.

Worn seed tube guard.

Replace guard.

Treated seed sticking in cell.

Clean disks.

Increase application rate of John Deere Talc Lubricant.

Seed disks have not been sprayed with Graphite Lubricant.

Spray seed disks with Spray on Graphite Lubricant TY25797.

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Symptom Problem Solution

Low seed population.

If low population displays on monitor and field counts are accurate, sensors are dirty.

Clean seed tubes and sensors.

Refer to POPULATION ADJUST in SeedStar Operator's Manual for more information.

Seed disk vacuum holes plugged.

Clean seed disks.

Flat-Type Disk: Install seed knockout assembly or replace worn seed knockout assembly.

"Dirty" seed plugging vacuum holes.

Use clean seed.

Flat-Type Disk: Install seed knockout assembly or replace worn seed knockout assembly.

Seed disk wiper missing.

Replace wiper.

"Treated" seed sticking in cells.

Inspect planting unit seed meter disks; clean if buildup is present.

Add John Deere Talc Lubricant to seed hoppers.

Farmer-applied seed treatment causes buildup, seeds stick.

Discontinue use of treatments or increase use of talc.

Rusty planting unit chains.

Lubricate chains and check for freedom of movement.

Foreign material (chaff) built up in vacuum dome.

Inspect dome and clean if necessary.

Worn meter seals.

Replace seals.

Worn seed disks.

Replace seed disks.

Seed "bridging" in hopper.

Increase rate of talc used.

Clean vacuum meter and hopper.

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Symptom Problem Solution

Seed "bridging" in meter.

Increase rate of talc used.

Clean vacuum meter and hopper.

Seed size not compatible with seed disks.

Use correct seed disks.

Excessive drive slippage.

Reduce unit down force.

Check mechanical seed transmission air bag pressure.

Check drives for binding or misalignment.

Readjust seed transmission.

Planting too fast for rough field conditions.

Plant at speed recommended in planting rate chart.

Increase vacuum.

Increase unit down force.

Meter brush improperly installed or worn.

Install brush properly or replace.

Using incorrect transmission sprocket combination.

Use sprocket combination recommended in planting rate chart or adjust upward due to excess drive slippage.

Incorrect drive tire or contact tire pressure.

Inflate to proper pressure. See CHECKING TIRE INFLATION in Prepare Machine section.

Double eliminator set incorrectly.

See USING DOUBLE ELIMINATOR in your Rate Charts and Settings Operator's Manual.

Vacuum manifold orifices not installed.

Install orifices in correct locations. See VACUUM MANIFOLD TUBE ORIFICE PLACEMENT in Service and Adjustment section.

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Symptom Problem Solution

High seed population.

High vacuum.

Adjust vacuum setting.

Vacuum manifold orifices not installed.

See VACUUM MANIFOLD TUBE ORIFICE PLACEMENT in Service and Adjustment section.

Faulty vacuum gauge.

Check air line to gauge. Repair as needed.

Worn seed disks.

Replace seed disks.

Seed size not compatible with seed disks.

Use correct seed disks.

Planting too slow.

Plant at speed recommended in planting rate charts.

Meter brush improperly installed.

Install brush properly.

Seed disk hubs loose.

Tighten hubs.

Using incorrect transmission sprocket combination.

Use sprocket combination recommended in planting rate charts or adjust downward due to low drive wheel slippage.

Incorrect drive tire or contact tire pressure.

Inflate to proper pressure. See CHECKING TIRE INFLATION in Prepare Machine section.

Double eliminator set incorrectly.

See USING DOUBLE ELIMINATOR in your Rate Charts and Settings Operator's Manual.

Seed sensor tubes plugging.

Machine rolling backward when lowering.

Lower machine while moving forward.

Mud inside seed tubes.

Clean off mud with cleaning brush.

Turning tractor steering wheel when machine is down and stationary. (Four Wheel Drive or Track tractors only.)

Avoid turning tractor when machine is down and stationary.

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Symptom Problem Solution

Inconsistent seed depth.

Planting in rough seed bed.

Increase row unit down force.

Seed tubes partially plugged or improperly installed.

Inspect seed tubes. Ensure that seed tubes are hooked properly in unit shank.

Clean off mud with cleaning brush.

Too many skips.

Low vacuum setting.

Increase vacuum.

Planting too fast.

Reduce planting speed.

Low seed level in hopper.

Fill hopper.

Premature blower motor seal failure.

Incorrect hydraulic connections.

Verify hydraulic connections.

High case drain pressure.

Check for 172 kPa [1.72 bar] [25 psi.]) or less back pressure at motor.

Ensure case drain line is connected and hose not kinked.

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Symptom Problem Solution

Low vacuum.

Orifices installed incorrectly in manifold tube.

See VACUUM MANIFOLD TUBE ORIFICE PLACEMENT in Service and Adjustment section.

Incorrect hydraulic connections.

Verify hydraulic connections.

Planting unit vacuum hoses not connected to meter.

Connect vacuum hoses to meter.

Flow control valve misadjusted.

Adjust control valve knob.

Air manifold system clogged with dust.

Clean air manifold system.

Manifold hoses kinked or pinched.

Reposition hoses.

Blower guard clogged with dust or seed treatments.

Clean blower guard.

Vacuum dome retaining strap not engaged.

Attach retaining strap to vacuum dome.

Meter seals worn or flipped.

Inspect seals. Reposition or replace.

Air manifold system assembled without O-rings.

Add O-rings.

Foreign material (chaff) built up in vacuum dome.

Inspect dome and clean if necessary.

Erratic vacuum.

Air manifold system clogged with dust.

Clean air manifold system.

Control valve failed.

Replace control valve.

Tractor oil level low.

Add oil.

Tractor not stabilizing flow (when controlled with tractor SCV).

Add motor adapter to vacuum motor.

Vacuum gauge does not zero.

Not adjusted.

Zero adjustment. See ZERO VACUUM GAUGE in your Rate Charts and Settings Operator's Manual.

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