| Thompson wheels on Planters |
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“In wetter conditions, the T-wheels help close up the seed furrow. They help break up the dirt to get better cover over the seed.”
Howard G Buffett, Decatur, IL • Exapta customer since '04
(Thompson wheels on JD 1700-series planter)
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"I've tried rubber closing wheels, cast closing wheels, and several other brands of spoked wheels over close to 30 years on planters and without a doubt the Thompson wheels are the best for all of my conditions."
Steve Edger, Greenville, OH • Exapta customer since '07
(Thompson wheels and Mojo Wires on Kinze 3650 planter) |
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"We farm clay knobs, sandy loams, and high-organic muck soils, often all on the same day. We tried a number of different closing wheels and found the Thompson wheel performed well across all those conditions. I run them toed-out about 3 degrees. I take the spring pressure off so that's not too aggressive in the muck, and add a little spring pressure to get more chopping action in the heavier soils. I'm running your light pressure springs too."
Chuck Zumbrun, Churubusco, IN • Exapta customer since '10
(Thompson wheels on 8-row JD 1700 planter) |
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"The Thompson wheels have been one of the best additions to our planter as they do a great job closing the seed slot in both extremely dry and extremely wet conditions. Having them on is often the difference in whether I can plant or not when the weather turns wet. Previously, the inability to fully close the seed slot with the stock JD rubber closing often left me setting at the edge of the field waiting for things to dry out. The T-wheels enable me to keep planting in these same conditions. Thompson wheels dig in and give us excellent seed slot closure in both wet and dry conditions, regardless of the volume of crop residue on the surface. And when conditions are wet at planting time, sidewall compaction is largely eliminated when using the Thompson wheels as compared to the JD rubber closing wheels."
Dietrich Kastens, Herndon, KS • Exapta customer since '08
(Thompson wheels & Mojo Wires on 24-row JD 1770 CCS & 12-row
1770 CCS planters) |
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"[A respected friend] convinced me to put T-wheels on our planter, and that paid off big time: WAAAAAY better stand on our corn on corn." Nathan Pearce, Homestead Farms, Wallace, KS —Exapta customer since 2010 (Thompson wheels, Keetons & Mojo Wires on JD 1770 24-row CCS planter) |
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"I tried 2 rows of Thompson wheels and wedges, and the rest of the planter was [competitor] spike closing wheels. When I did stand counts, the two rows with Thompson wheels had 1,000 - 2,000 higher final populations than the other rows. It was easy to see which rows had the Thompson wheels.... And, with the Mojo Wires, I could tell at emergence exactly which row had slipped down the tail and wasn't doing its job." [Four years later, Thompsons & Mojos on all rows] “I think I have the best stands around of corn-on-corn in no-till.”
Steve Litwiller, Parnell, IA • Exapta customer since '08 (Keetons w/ Mojos, Thompson closing wheels & toe-out wedges on Kinze 3200 planter) |
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"We are sold on Thompson wheels. We've used them for 4 years on over 7,000 acres, no breakdowns. Planting beans in Missouri-River-bottom gumbo, we could never get much over 15 bu/a, no-till or full-till. However, when we installed the Thompson wheels, we have raised 40-bu beans every year no-till. Wet or dry, they do a good job of covering the seed."
Kersten Farms (Myron, Mark & Karl), Malta Bend, MO • Exapta customers since '07 (Thompson wheels & toe-out wedges on all rows of 12/23 Kinze 3600 split-row planter) |
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"A couple of years ago, my brother and myself both bought new planters. He put the [competitor cage-type] closing wheels on his, and I put the Thompson wheels on mine. Last year, they took the [competitor's] off and replaced them with Thompsons because they couldn't get them [competitor's] to close the furrow even with quite a lot of pressure. We are no-till and ours soils are king of tough."
Terry McAlister, Electra, TX • Exapta customer since '07
(Thompson wheels on 16-row JD 1770 planter) |
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"I put on one row of the Thompson wheels a few years ago, beside the other rows with [competitor] closing wheels. I'm putting Thompson wheels on the rest of the rows now—I don't need a drag chain as they do a better job of consistently covering the seed. I also like the wedge Exapta sells to toe-out the wheels, especially in situations when planting into cover crops with the root mass and all, in order to completely close the slot with little to no down-pressure."
Steve Groff, Cedar Meadow Farm, Holtville, PA • Exapta customer since '05 (Thompson wheels, toe-out wedges, and Mojo Wires on Monosem/Kinze planter) |
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"The Thompson wheels really worked well -- just like you said. With the complete rebuild of the planter… including Keetons and Mojo Wires, all the plants came up at the same time….With the Thompson wheels, and everything you said, it's made a world of difference in how the planter performed—even the previous owner was really impressed with what I'd done with it. I'd think anyone using this setup would be overwhelmingly satisfied."
Leon Schneider, Caldwell, KS, • Exapta customer since 2010 (Thompson wheels, toe-out wedges, and Mojo Wires on 16-row Kinze planter) |
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"I traded for a Kinze a couple of years ago; ran one rubber closing wheel and one [competitor spoked wheel] per row for a year and a half—about the only time I closed a slot was when it rained after I planted. I put Thompsons on this spring [2010] and had no problems closing."
Gail Fuller, Emporia, KS • Exapta customer since 2010
(Thompson wheels & toe-out wedges on a 16-row Kinze planter) |
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"I like the size of the bearings and the self-cleaning action. They're very trouble-free."
Kent Kinkler, Onida, SD • Exapta customer since '03
(Thompson wheels on 36-row Kinze planter) |
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"On my planter, I run two Thompson spoked closing wheels [per row] and get along great. Make sure you use Keeton seed firmers. I use the firmers with a Mojo Wire to stiffen them even more and really push the seed into the soil. After that, I like the fluffy crumbly dirt on top."
Alan Aufdemberge, Lincoln, KS (Thompson wheels, toe-out wedges, and Mojos on 16-row JD 1700-series planter) |
"The Thompson wheels were wonderful—Neatest seedbed I've ever accomplished…I attribute some of [my perfect stands] to the Thompson wheels. I have nothing but praise for them."
Maurice Yordy, Eureka, IL • Exapta customer since '06
(Thompson wheels on JD 7240 planter) |
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"The Thompson wheels do just what you say. They close the furrow even though it's too wet to be out there. Our stands are excellent. I'm glad I tried them."
Tracy Bengtson, Alta, Iowa • Exapta customer since '06
(Thompson wheels, toe-out wedges, and Mojo Wires on 12-row White
8000-series planter; also Thompson wheels on JD 1590 drill) |
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"I really like the Thompson wheels—they didn't leave a rut and closed really well. They were very consistent in closing the furrow, and a big improvement over the cast closers…I'm very happy with them."
John Nomina, Delphos, OH • Exapta customer since '03
(Thompson wheels on Kinze planter) |
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"The Thompson wheels are everything you said they were. Much better closing than the cast [OEM] closing wheels"
Bob Leader, Brookston, IN • Exapta customer since '06
(Thompson wheels and toe-out plates on JD 7000 planter)
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"I had 4 different brands of closing wheels for several years before going to the Exapta Thompson wheels. I like yours because of the thin blade—it goes into the soil easier for good crumbling of the sidewall. There's seldom any corn stalks getting stuck in them. It's a good
closing unit. No maintenance needed in 9 years."
Mike Phillips, Waseca, MN • Exapta customer since '03
(Thompson wheels w/ toe-out plates on 8-row JD 7100 planter)
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"The Thompson wheels worked exactly like you said they would. Nearly perfect closing in cotton and corn. We've had good service out of them. They're very trouble-free and well-made. They're the closest we've come to being able to plant in all conditions."
Jimmy Newby, Athens, AL • Exapta customer since '05
(Thompson wheels on three 12-row JD 1700-series planters)
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| Thompson wheels on Drills |
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"I ran a Thompson wheel next to the stock cast closing wheels on our JD 1990 CCS drill for one season. In heavy residue the stock wheels simply bounce over the top while the T-wheel runs smoothly and gets the slot closed. We will have T-wheels across the whole drill for next season [2010]....You can’t beat the T-wheels on the JD 1990 drill when planting in muddy field conditions as they get the slot closed and keep the drill running."
Dietrich Kastens, Herndon, KS • Exapta customer since '08
(Thompson wheels on JD 1990 CCS drill & JD 1890 air drill)
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"The Thompson wheels are definitely better than the John Deere closing wheels, especially in damp situations. [Gabe plants in some jungles of cover-crop cocktails, and yet:] Very few problems with the Thompsons in viney cover crops, such as hairy vetch. Some wrapping of dried wild buckwheat but not enough to slow me down. It is so minimal it is not worth mentioning."
Gabe Brown, Bismark, ND • Exapta customer since '09
(Thompson wheels on 20-ft JD1590) |
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"Seven years ago, I replaced all the JD 750 closing wheels with Exapta's Thompson closing wheels, and replaced the JD firming wheels with Case IH SDX firming wheels. In all those years I have yet to replace a firming or closing wheel bearing, while I normally had to re-bearing 4 or 5 JD wheels every day -- the bearing changing chores of closing wheels went to zero when I got rid of the JD wheels. As a bonus, the SDX wheels do a better job of firming the seed, and the Thompson spoked wheels work far better [than OEM] at closing the seed slot in our wet clay-loam soil. When planting in wet conditions, the Thompson wheels do not lay a ribbon of mud in the seed slot like the old JD solid wheel, and do a good job of crumbling the trench wall without packing the wet soil. Thanks for a good product."
Jon Hagen, Goodrich, ND • Exapta customer since '04
(Thompson wheels on pair of JD 750 drills) |
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"My drill works perfect after updating to everything you mention in your catalog. I updated my boots to the new 90 series boots, CNH SDX firming wheels, and Thompson closing wheels. It couldn't get any better."
David Penzien, Attica, MI • Exapta Customer since '09
(Thompson wheels on JD 1560 drill) |
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"My neighbor just bought a new 1890 air drill, and I told him: 'Now, the first thing you need to do when you get that drill is take off the John Deere cast closing wheels, and get yourself some Thompson wheels from Exapta.'…They are a wise investment and I would recommend them to anyone."
Larry Cochran, Jet, OK • Exapta customer since '07
(Thompson closing wheels on JD 1890 air drill) |
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Fall 2010, very dry for wheat seeding: "The Thompson wheels were a significant benefit, because they were actually covering the seed in 1 to 2 inches of soil. We feel they helped the wheat come up from the little 0.20" showers that hit half our ground so far. Without the Thompson wheels, I'm sure we wouldn't have seen the stand we currently have."
Nathan Pearce, Homestead Farms, Wallace, KS • Exapta customer since 2010 (Thompson wheels on JD 1890 air drill) |
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Comparing aftermarket spoked closing wheels: "Before I bought both wheels, I thought I would like the weight and thickness of the [competitor] wheel better than the lighter thinner Thompson. Both wheels obtain similar results when the soil is dry and the residue is less, but as I get into more moist soils and heavier/bigger residue, the Thompson wheel is the only one to accomplish the job...The stock JD wheels bounce terribly, and try to smash the seed trench closed, so furrow closing is poor. The [competitor] is an improvement since it has the dimples instead of being round like the stock wheel. Bounces less and does a better job of crumbling instead of smashing, but still smashes. Much better furrow closing versus the stock wheel but still leaves furrow unclosed some. The Thompson because it is thinner and more aggressive, crumbles the furrow closed and I don’t notice bouncing or the furrow being left unclosed...I would never run the current version of the JD stock wheels again. I am also confident that I would buy T4s only next go round."
Josh Lloyd, Oak Hill, KS • Exapta customer since '05 (Thompson wheels on one rank of JD 1890 air drill)
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"I am very pleased—in wet, heavy clay soil, the Thompson wheels still crumbled the soil to close the seed trench. The Thompson wheels get away from the soil ribboning and are a great improvement over the Deere cast closing wheels. I have no problem recommending the Thompson wheels."
Robert Stevenson, Kenton, MB • Exapta customer since '07 (Thompson wheels on JD 1890 air drill). |
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"I am very pleased with the Thompson wheels—they are superior in all conditions.We left a few old [JD] ones on to see a comparison. It wasn't hard to see the advantage of the Thompson wheels."
Rod Lanier, Lethbridge, Alberta • Exapta customer since ‘07 (Thompson wheels on JD 1890 air drill).
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"I'm quite impressed—the Thompson wheels provide superior closing to the original John Deere wheels, especially in wet sticky soils or in high-residue conditions…Sometimes it's the difference between seeding and not seeding—the Thompson wheels and SDX firming wheels complement each other and let me start seeding more quickly after a rain. The Thompson wheels really shine with small-seeded crops such as alfalfa, canola, and mustard, which don't have as much push to get through the compacted ribbon created by the JD closing wheels…I've seeded 20,000 to 25,000 acres with the Thompson wheels and had good wear—they should last another couple years." [He replaced the Thompson wheels at 35,000 acres.]
Brian Hildebrand, Skiff, Alberta • Exapta customer since '04
(Thompson wheels on JD 1890 air drill) |
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"We really like the Thompson wheels: We were able to run in far wetter conditions than we have in the past, and it's doing a nice job."
Alan Aufdemberge, Lincoln, KS • Exapta customer since '08 (Thompson wheels on JD 1860 air drill)
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“The smooth JD cast wheels won’t close the furrow when it gets hard and dry. But the Thompson wheels will penetrate and close the furrow. Crumbling versus smashing the furrow shut makes a big difference, especially if soils are wet.”
—Alan Mindemann, Apache, OK • Exapta customer since ’01
(Thompson wheels on JD 1890 air drill)
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"I really like the performance of the Thompson wheels. I ran the [competitor's heavy closing wheel] on 2 rows and ran 2 rows of Thompsons side-by-side this past year [2009]. The [competitor] definitely bounced more than the Thompsons in all conditions. The thin design of the Thompsons, and the angle that the closing arm holds it, allow for very little down-pressure also. It seems like the Thompsons just 'pull' the dirt into the slot, whereas a heavy wider wheel still has to 'mash' the dirt to get it into the slot. I think you have a great wheel in the Thompson design—keep it up!"
—Jordan Reimnitz, Armour, SD • Exapta customer since ’09
(Thompson wheels on JD 1860 air drill) |
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Mojo Wires |
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"The Mojo Wire is the best thing that ever happened to the Keeton....The last two years ['09 & '10] were the wettest ever for us, and, shoot, we never had mud balling up like we used to [without the Mojos]. I sure wouldn't run a Keeton without a Mojo Wire."
Ralph Holzwarth, Gettysburg, SD • Exapta customer since '08 (Mojos & Keetons on 8-row JD 1700-series CCS planter).
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"I love the Mojo Wires. Amazing—the best stands I ever had, bar none. It looks like every plant came up within 15 minutes of each other. Perfect stands."
Tom Cannon, Blackwell, OK • Exapta customer since '03.
(Mojo Wires & Keetons on 16-row JD 1770 CCS)
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"The function of the Keeton is greatly improved with the Mojo Wire. The extra pressure makes all the difference. In my opinion, do not use Keetons without them."
Jerry Cosper, Memphis, TX • Exapta customer since '07
(Mojo Wires on 12-row planter) |
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"The Thompson wheels have been a real savior this year as the conditions we’ve had have been horrible for slot closing, especially with the solid rubber OEM wheels. The rubber wheels were either leaving the slot open or simply squishing the sides together creating a potential nightmare for germination if the conditions had gotten drier. The T-wheels have performed excellently in both mud and in dry conditions, and have handled the glut of residue extremely well. I was really pleased in dry conditions as the Thompson wheels (along with the Keetons and Mojos) left a near-perfect setup for even stand establishment."
Dietrich Kastens, Herndon, KS • Exapta customer since '08
(Thompson wheels & Mojo Wires on 24-row JD 1770 CCS & 12-row
1770 CCS planters) |
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| No-Till Expertise |
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“I’m very thankful that guys like you are willing to figure this stuff out, and to get your hands dirty. We toyed with no-till for many years, but could never get acceptable stands. Your knowledge changed that, and we are now confident in our ability to get stands in continuous no-till. Your products and information made the difference. Thank you.”
Earl Clark, Carbondale, KS
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"I appreciate everything you (and your guys) do for us as we try to keep moving forward in no-till while fighting machinery that is still largely being designed for conventional or minimum-till."
Dietrich Kastens. |
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"Your website has the best explanation of how seed should be planted that I have ever heard or read -- and I've told quite a few no-tillers (and dealer salesmen) the same thing….Your website and newsletters talk a lot about how important even emergence is, and your recommendations on equipment for achieving that precision make perfect sense. I really appreciate your willingness to share your expertise."
John R. McElheran, Maupin, Oregon |
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Other Products |
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"Soybean spacing was terrible with our CCS drill until we put the Diffusers on. We'd have clumping of seeds, then a big skip. We put Diffusers on two rows, and the difference was very obvious—the spacing was definitely better, and the placement was better. All the seeds were in the bottom of the furrow, instead of partway up the sidewall, and so on. The Diffusers reduced the bunching of wheat seed, also. Watching them in operation, the seeds line themselves up single-file as they spiral down the grooves in the Diffuser."
Lennie Blain, D.S.&R. Cordel, Cawker City, KS • Exapta customers since '03
(D-Cup Diffusers and Thompson wheels on JD 1990 CCS drill) |
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