Do I need a different gauge wheel tire and/or tire & rim on my planter or drill?
The first thing to evaluate is the condition of your tires. Does the tire still have a square lip that contacts the opener blade to make a seal to keep out dirt? What is the condition of the tire? Splits or checks in the material from stubble abrasion? Are chunks of...
Is this “flapper thingy” necessary?
Yes, whether you call it a tab, strap, deflector or tab, preventing seed bounce is most definitely necessary. And here is why: All John Deere 50/60/90 drills use a seed bounce flap, attached to the end of the seed boot, for the purpose of eliminating seed bounce and...
Ballin’ on a Budget: What to replace on JD 50/60/90 openers when grain prices are low.
What are the most important items to repair and/or replace when the budget is tight? While Exapta has a multitude of solutions to completely rebuild and transform your JD openers for improved seeding performance, we understand sometimes the budget requires a...
Drill Blades: When to Replace and Why?
On JD and CIH P-500/NH P-2080/85 single disc drills (with 18" blades), blades should be replaced at 17 3/8" diameter or sooner. At Exapta, we encourage blade replacement sooner rather than later, because at this point over half the bevel is gone and very dull. The...
See for yourself: Valion versus OEM Seed Tube Guards
Our customer in Eastern Nebraska shared side-by-side comparisons of Valions and OEM guards on a John Deere XP 24-row and a Kinze 3000-series 16 row. The differences in wear are undeniable. Photo 1 : John Deere, 24-row 1) Valion (top and left) measures 3/4” versus OEM...
Set-up your seeds for success: the great Keeton debate
Laying to rest the negativity towards Seed Firmers Struggling to get good emergence with your planter in no-till? Inadequate seed firming is often the culprit. Seeds should be securely embedded into the bottom of the furrow. You might be pleasantly surprised at how...
Closing Wheels…Why start at the back?
Here at Exapta, we field lots of questions about closing wheels and whether they affect yields. It’s easy to start with the closing wheel when trying to improve the planter because it’s the first thing you see when you walk behind it. However, closing wheels are part...
Which Bushing kits are best for your JD 50/60/90 series drill?
Because there are several bushing kit options marketed, we field this question often, “Which bushing kit is the best fit for me, and why?” Of course, we should factor time (of the repair/job and maintenance), price and quality. Exapta delivers quality—with every...
How Do We Know?
'Tis the season many of you are making equipment upgrades & repairs. You’ve no doubt noticed the vast array of planter and drill products—all clamoring for your attention. Are you confused by the mixed messages? Frustrated by the many claims that cannot possibly...
Reduce overlap. Decrease input costs.
In today’s competitive and uncertain market, maximizing margins is vital to improving your profit potential. With so many factors affecting your yields, you can’t always control what you get out of every acre. But you can control what you put in. Have you ever...