Seed Drill Calibration

Getting the correct amount of seed planted with a grain drill requires calibrating the drill before planting begins. Jim Johnson, Noble Foundation soils and crops consultant, demonstrates step-by-step how to perform this calibration and the calculations required to determine accurate seed output.
Resources needed to perform the calibration are a vehicle jack, a tape measure, a roll of adhesive tape, five lightweight cups (e.g., Styrofoam coffee cups), a scale that measures in grams, a calculator, and one or two assistants to help catch seed in the cups.
To determine the correct amount of seed to catch in the cups, perform the following three-step calculation:
Step one - Take the circumference of the tire in feet x the row spacing in feet x the number of times you turn the drive wheel = the size of your test area.
Step two - Take the answer from step one x the pounds of seed desired per acre ÷ 43,560 (the number of square feet in 1 acre) = pounds of seed to catch per row.
Step three - Take the answer from step two x 454 (the number of grams in 1 pound) = grams of seed to catch per row.
This video is part of the DIY Agriculture educational series produced by The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

[@ajvandelay8318]

This was a great video, straight forward easy to understand and VERY helpful! Thank you!

[@SummerCrowfpv]

Just an FYI you can get circumference by measuring the diameter and multiply it by 3.14

[@Redlinesixtynine]

Very helpful vid. Thanks.

[@wades_world22]

Great video, thank you !

[@NobleResearchInstitute]

Glad you liked it!

[@beewagyu]

Excellent

[@indirapoudel4824]

thank you.

[@mumtazkhan8016]

Great thanks

[@grovesj]

Why 20 rotations of the drive wheel? How do you get that number?

[@txdoodlebug]

+Jason G It doesn;t really matter how many you use. You see he uses 20 in the formula. You could do 10 or 30 and just replace the 20 in the formula. The more rotations the more accurate you calculations will be.

[@franciscojavierperezmiguel7317]

i have 2 questions about the video: 1º is a 43560 or a 43´560 ? and ow do you get the 43 560 ? Nice video by the way.

[@Redlinesixtynine]

43,560 square feet per acre.

[@jacquelineromero4898]

I have tried your way of calibration and when at the field it is still way off. What makes for the large difference at least 405 off ?

[@NobleResearchInstitute]

Hi Jacqueline...if you're able to call us, our phone number is at the following link: www.noble.org/contact/ Ask for Jim Johnson and he can assist you. Thanks!

[@danrose3233]

Did he turn the wheel backwards?

[@jscottmcneill]

No. He spun the wheel in the direction it would turn if the drill was moving forward. The camera angle from earlier in the video changed from the right to the left of the wheel.

[@Jaydw4]

I thought the same thing! I think the drive wheel is in front of the drill

[@Mineirodebutina]

Guys, just use metric system....... just saying! Great video

[@fuzzzeballs]

you realy need to dump the imperial system and get with the rest of the world! I like the video though!