Take seeding performance to the next level with Exapta’s remarkable Thompson closing wheel.  This spoked closing wheel truly delivers results—superb furrow closing, ultra-low mud adhesion, and unmatched durability.  The Thompson wheel’s thin edge profile and carefully crafted spoke geometry create a unique slicing and crumbling action during furrow closing, making it perfect for all those tough planting conditions, including no-till.  The extensively tested Thompson wheel has proven itself, not only with improved furrow closing and sidewall breakage, but also with a surprising lack of mud buildup. 

While other closing systems struggle with the highly structured or cohesive soils in low-disturbance no-till, the Hagny HCS system handles those conditions easily.  The Hagny HCS furrow closing system is specifically designed for no-till conditions and is now even better with the introduction of the Thompson wheel.  The Hagny HCS arm holds the wheel at an unprecedented 50-degree angle (from vertical) and closer to the furrow for gentle and consistent furrow closing. 

Field tests have quantified up to 10.4% improvement in seedling emergence with Hagny HCS compared with spoked wheels on the original brackets. We have seen as much as 100% improvements in emergence (stand density is doubled) when comparing HCS to the original closing wheels & bracket, when planting into moist conditions, followed by no rain.  However, when conditions are ideal during and after seeding, there may not be any differences in emergence regardless of closing system.  In reality, rarely do we get ideal conditions during and after seeding, and seedling emergence isn’t something to leave to chance. Hagny HCS takes some of the variability out of stand establishment, allowing slightly lower seeding rates and achievement of target stands more often.

Hagny HCS not only provides more consistent emergence, but also improved root development and greater yield potential.  Replicated field tests have documented the yield advantages to using Hagny HCS, which is largely due to improved root development from better furrow sidewall breakage (see How a Seedling Develops).  Customers who have tested Hagny HCS against other closing systems have noticed the very substantial improvement in root development of corn and milo plants in the Hagny HCS rows compared to the other closing systems tested - these producers noticed the root development differences without any prompting from us.