Operating Characteristics of Finger Pick-Up Meter MechanismIMPORTANT: The graph on the right illustrates the performance characteristics of a finger pick-up meter unit in relation to operating speed. An increase in operating speed above the maximum speed will cause overpopulation. The population is indicated by a band on the graph. Small variations in population may be caused by differences in the size and shape of seeds.
The maximum speeds indicated in the planting rate tables refer to optimum conditions. Slower speeds must always be used when planting on uneven ground to ensure satisfactory machine performance. If the planting speed is too high in these conditions deficient depth control or irregular seed spacing may occur. See “Seed Rate—Non-Disk Meter” section to obtain instructions regarding the setting of the drive wheels for the required planting rate. IMPORTANT: The table on the right indicates how the size of the seed affects the population using finger pick-up meters for corn or sunflowers.
The meter is used for normal corn seed sizes in use in the USA (except for corn for popcorn). The planting precision of the finger pick-ups will be influenced by the condition of the seed furrows, seed size and by the seed meter's operating characteristics. Irregular furrows and a planting speed that is too high will typically reduce seed placement precision.
|