What Are Vacuum Planters?

Vacuum planters represent a significant advancement in agricultural technology, offering precision and efficiency in the planting process. These innovative machines, which utilize vacuum technology to pick and place seeds with remarkable accuracy, have revolutionized farmers' approach to sowing. Unlike traditional planters, vacuum planters ensure uniform seed spacing and depth, a crucial factor in maximizing yield and crop health. In this article, we will delve into how vacuum planters work, their numerous advantages, the types of vacuum planters, and the considerations farmers should take into account when choosing to implement this technology in their farming practices.

How vacuum planters work

A. Basic principles of vacuum technology in planting

Why is the distance between crops and the depth of seeding important? Each plant should have an optimal distance between them. If the distance is too close, the plant roots will compete for water and nutrients. The precious soil, for which preparation was spent a lot of money and effort, will become practically useless. It is also crucial to determine the depth at which the seeds will be introduced. In this regard, each plant has its own requirements.

In order to keep all these requirements complete, you will need a planter. Also known as a pneumatic planter, a vacuum planter is a single-seed planter that uses an air vacuum to operate and sow seeds in the soil.

One of the significant benefits of vacuum planters is that they can adapt to a wide range of crops and soil types.

Vacuum planters work in pretty much the same way as seeders. But instead of air that the seeder uses to transport the seed, it is common to see a vacuum planter where the seeds are taken from a large hopper to individual hoppers for every row and forcefully deposited into the ground in neat rows by way of a short but powerful blast of pressurized air.

B. Components of a vacuum planter

While the design of the vacuum planter varies depending on the manufacturer, the general idea is the same. Here, we list the basic components of a vacuum planter:

• Seed hopper – The seed hopper has a compartment for seeds and other items like fertilizers. It usually comprises an upper and lower reservoir for retaining seeds and a valve installed between the reservoirs to allow the seeds selectively to flow under gravitational forces from the upper to the lower reservoir.

• Vacuum pump – A vacuum pump usually consists of a housing, an impellor or rotor rotated within that housing, and a motor (or other drive). Vacuum pumps are used in many seed planters utilizing vacuum-controlled seed meters.

• Seed plates or disks – These are round disks or plates with holes, indentations, or slots that are evenly spaced around the outer edge. They precisely meter seeds that are being discharged from the seed box into the seed tube that deposits seeds into the soil. Seed disks or plates can be changed depending on the type and size of the seed.

• Delivery system – A vacuum planter has individual row-unit seed boxes, with each row unit having an associated vacuum seed meter. The machine uses a vacuum to draw the seed into the meter to hold it to the disk. Then, it uses gravity to drop the seed into the grooved soil.

C. The process of seed placement

For the accurate process of seed placement, you must determine the proper and uniform seed depth depending on the type of seed you’re going to plant. Seed-to-soil contact is crucial to ensure fast and uniform germination. Also, make sure the seeds are placed at a uniform distance from each other. Proper spacing is also a crucial factor for consistent plant growth. It lowers the chances of competition among plants for water and nutrients, minimizes shading, and helps regulate the utilization of the sun’s rays for photosynthesis.

Advantages of vacuum planters

If you don’t have a vacuum planter yet or are using a mechanical planter, choosing or upgrading to a vacuum planter will give you the following benefits:

• Precision in seed spacing and depth – By placing the seeds at a consistent depth and spacing apart, there will be less competition for water and nutrients, less seed wastage, and a lower rate of seed damage. The seeds will germinate more uniformly, eventually leading to maximized growth and yield for every plant.

• Reduction in seed wastage – Some seeds might fail to germinate due to various reasons. For example, improperly placed seeds can lead to unequal distribution of water and nutrients, leading to wastage in some seeds. Because vacuum planters deposit seeds in a consistent placement, all seeds receive the same amount of water and nutrients, leading to uniform germination and maximized plant growth. There will also be less seed wastage because using vacuum planters will help increase the chances that all seeds will end up where they should be planted on the first pass.

• Improved crop yields and uniformity – Because the seeds are placed at a consistent spacing and depth, there will be less plant competition. Therefore, the consistent germination and growth of each plant ensures the potential for maximum crop yield and uniformity.

• Versatility with different seed types – Vacuum planters are more flexible than other planters that can deposit only one or a few seed types. Vacuum planters can plant different types and sizes of seeds, including corn, soybeans, cotton, wheat, etc. If you’re planting a variety of crops, the vacuum planter is a good option.

• Efficiency and time savings in planting – With their precision planting capabilities, vacuum planters work better than farmers do, allowing them to cover larger areas more quickly and efficiently. Vacuum planters take away much of the work burden and minimize (or even eliminate) human errors, thus saving valuable time during planting operations.

Types of vacuum planters

1) Mounted vs. pull-behind models

The three-point mounted vacuum planters can be attached to an ATV or tractor, are generally affordable, and would usually take up less space. However, the mounted model may take more time to hook up than the “ball hitch” attachment (seen in conventional trailers). Mounted planters can also maneuver into corners more easily.

On the other hand, the pull-behind models are preferred, especially if you’re working on flat ground. They can also be used with an ATV or lawn tractor for various seeding and spreading uses.

2) Variations for different farm sizes

Vacuum planters vary greatly in size. You can choose 12, 16, or 24-row configurations depending on the size of your farm. In terms of spacing, the 30-inch rows are the most common size planter available and are generally considered the best spacing for planting. But if you plant crops that require even greater spacing, the 30-inch row planters could be limiting. Instead, you may want to consider models with 6- to 8-row configurations and adjustable spacing, specifically between 36-inch to 40-inch rows.

Vacuum planters can be customized as well. Many manufacturers feel it is necessary to offer various vacuum planter styles to meet the growing individual demands and requests. For example, the grower requirements of seed line spacing from 1 inch to 10 inches have led some manufacturers to develop various planter frame designs deemed necessary to meet these goals.

3) Specialized models for specific crops

Vacuum planters are usually single-seed planters, meaning they sow one seed at a time. But in terms of versatility, vacuum planters can handle a variety of seeds. Since each seed is different, there are planters specifically designed to handle only one type of seed. But if you grow different types of crops, go for the multi-crop models. They can deposit various seeds like corn, cotton, soybean, and grains accurately and precisely.

Considerations when choosing a vacuum planter

1) Farm size and crop type

The first two important things to consider when choosing a vacuum planter are the size of the farm and the type of crop you plan to grow. For example, if you have a thousand-acre land you’ll need to cultivate, you may choose a 36-row model. While it can put a big dent in your budget, the 36-row model can deposit lots of seeds in one pass, which saves you a lot of time and effort.

Of course, not all seeds are the same size, so not all plants require the same depth and spacing to grow properly. The vacuum planter you choose must be able to handle the type and size of seeds you will plant. For example, if corn is your primary crop, consider the 30-inch-row model. The 30-inch-row models, however, are a good option for most crops and the most common-size planter available.

2) Compatibility with existing farm equipment

If you’re planning to acquire a vacuum planter, know what farm equipment you already have in order to determine which model or configuration will be compatible with it. For example, if you operate a 50-75 horsepower tractor, then you should consider a small four-row vacuum planter.

3) Cost and return on investment

If you had to acquire a vacuum planter or upgrade to one if you’re currently using a mechanical planter, one of the important factors to consider is the cost of ownership. This is an area where the vacuum planter performs better than mechanical planters. While vacuum planters contain some worn components, there are only a few of them, and they do not require to be serviced as often as components found in mechanical meters. This leads to a low cost of ownership for vacuum planters, giving you better value for your money in the long run.

4) Maintenance requirements

While quality vacuum planters give you better value for your money, they still require proper maintenance to extend their useful life. Whether you’re operating it for the first time or for the nth time, it’s a good idea to check your manual and talk to your dealer regarding the best methods for planting seeds in various soil and weather conditions. You should be flexible and adjust your vacuum planter as needed to deal with the changes in soil conditions (such as moisture levels) and residue levels. It’s important to be aware of your field’s soil moisture to avoid the soil sticking under the coulters and other soil-engaging parts of your planter.

Here is a couple of examples of planters:

1) Stanhay X 30 Row Unit

A multiline row unit from British manufacturer Stanhay can seed 1 to 4 lines from each row. Every aspect of the row is designed for easy and precise adjustment to provide seed depth uniformity and seed-to-soil contact, ensuring consistent germination and eventual plant growth in all soil conditions. Features include:

• 2-liter hopper (standard)

• Optional rear-wheel rake to prevent smooth surfaces from being left behind to reduce chances of capping.

• Easily accessible manual row unit clutch

• A choice of drag, single, or double arm coverers with adjustable lower half to set the distance between the arm and the line of seed.

• A choice of 145mm diameter seed press wheels in solid stainless steel or with a rubber tire complete with sprung scrapers.

• Stanhay’s latest version of the metering unit is optimized for multiline work and features a “knife edge” seed ejection system.

• Clod deflector.

• 2-stage chain drive.

• It has infinite adjustable depth control over a 90mm range.

• Long parallel link for precise ground following.

• The row-unit latches up via a simple mechanism that can be operated by one person.

• Weight take-off spring that allows up to 60kgs of reduced downforce on the row.

• A choice of 4 interchangeable final drive sprockets to attain different seeding rates on different rows.

• The weight of the row is spread evenly over the front and rear wheels.

• Choice of stainless, rubber, or cage wheels, all complete with sprung scrapers.

2) Stanhay Star Row

The Star Row unit from Stanhay has a robust 28-speed chain drive landwheel providing a wide range of spacing with each seed disc and a high-performance 26-rib fan. This is suitable for 3 to 18+ row machines.

Key features include:

• Tough single-sided chassis design.

• Floating parallel linkage for uniform depth control.

• Easy depth control by way of rear wheel quadrant in 2.5 mm steps.

• Adjustable rear wheel pressure via spring.

• Easy access to the metering unit.

• Adjustable unit downforce.

3) Seven Row Unit

Another unit from Stanhay, Seven is a robust, dependable, but easy-to-use machine that features a 28-speed chain and sprocket drive land wheel, shared with the company’s other series of planters, the Star and the ProAir, which provides the positive drive.

Here are the other features of this machine:

• Tough single-sided chassis (whose design is the same as used on Stanhay’s Star machine) with easy depth adjustment.

• Floating parallel linkage for consistent depth control

• Easy depth control via rear wheel quadrant in 2.5mm steps

• Adjustable rear wheel pressure via spring

• Single-sided mechanical drive

• 12-liter seed hopper

Conclusion

A planter is one of the key machines in agriculture. Planting seeds is a task not to be taken lightly, and your farm’s productivity depends on how successfully you plant your seeds.

To ensure successful seed planting, vacuum planters offer many excellent opportunities for maximizing crop yields and profitability. Unlike mechanical planters, vacuum planters ensure uniform seed spacing and depth, which is a crucial factor in maximizing yield and crop health. In addition to improved crop yields and profitability, vacuum planters offer farmers many benefits, including reduced seed wastage, versatility with many seed types, efficiency, and time savings in planting.

If you’re a farm operator and you haven’t considered vacuum planters yet or are currently using mechanical planters, consider purchasing or upgrading to vacuum planters as an investment. They make planting tasks simpler, easier, and more efficient, ensuring higher yields and profitability. Vacuum planters can provide a quick return on investment for your farming operations.