NO-TILL COULTER THOUGHTS

What is the concenceous pertaining to N/T coulters on any brand of planter? We run a 7000 JD consertil with them on it now(was purchased already on it and possibly from the factory?). We had to plant last spring in somewhat more "moist" soil conditions than we like to and in spots during fall harvest, I could still make out the unclosed "wave" outline of the coulter. I am contemplating removing them before planting this season regardless of soil dampness. We plant in min-til soil BTW. Thanks

I don't use or need them on my White no-till planter. I plant into previous crop residue with cover crops. Need to make sure the openers are in good shape though. I also use row cleaners to move most of the residue aside in front of the openers.

There are at least three different types of NoTill coulters.  Two inch wave.....one inch wave.....and one inch bubble.  All of them are NOT high speed attachments, because they tend to throw dirt out from the seed trench. Speeds need to be kept somewhat down, like less than 4 mph.. The wider the coulter, the worse the problem. The wetter the soil, the worse the problem. The one inch bubble is my preference because it cuts thru trash better and has the least amount of soil throwing.

You are either planting way to wet which will cause the seed trench to open up as the soil dries out or you need different closing wheels or need more pressure on the closing wheels. I have heard of people no tilling without the coulters and doing a good job. Tom

Allis dave wrote: You need the coulters or row cleaners on there if you're no tilling. The opener will have a tough time cutting through corn stalks or wads of bean residue.

 

For no-till or any other planting practices, REMOVE NO-TILL COULTERS.
Yes, residue managers help remove potential hair pinning of stalk residue into seed furrow.
Like some others already stated, a good sharp pair of furrow double disc openers will suffice. NOTE: Before planting season, do the business card trick to know if disc are too worn or require shimming.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8OL19cUOgJw
Now take the money you’d used to buy no-till coulters & buy a complete set of Keeton SEED FIRMERS. These offer a more consistent seed depth in furrow.
If your planter’s double disc openers are sharp & shimmed correctly, they’ll cut an even seed furrow into consistent soil moisture. No-till coulters can mix top surface dryer soil into moister soils & allow seeds less contact with even soil moisture in furrow. Make every seed count!

Edited by AC7060IL - 19 Apr 2019 at 4:45am

Tbone95 wrote: FREEDGUY wrote: Allis dave wrote: You need the coulters or row cleaners on there if you're no tilling. The opener will have a tough time cutting through corn stalks or wads of bean residue.   We have the row cleaners( my fault for not specifying) and in my original post(don't know if you read it) we are min-til. We normally don't plant into such damp soil but maybe some of you don't recall the planting conditions 340 days ago?? Thanks for the replies though. They're a lot like the ones shaping up 25 days from now!

 

In certain hard soil no-til conditions, the lack of a no-til coulter will cause a lot more wear on disc openers by themselves.

I was able to get into the barn yesterday(Easter Sunday)and got hibernating engines fired up for the first time since mid-November and took a glance at what would be involved with removing the entire N/T coulter assembly. Sadly it is NOT as straight forward as I had hoped, the aftermarket row cleaners are attached to the coulter arms . I suppose I could remove the coulters from their "arms"??

FREEDGUY wrote: I was able to get into the barn yesterday(Easter Sunday)and got hibernating engines fired up for the first time since mid-November and took a glance at what would be involved with removing the entire N/T coulter assembly. Sadly it is NOT as straight forward as I had hoped, the aftermarket row cleaners are attached to the coulter arms . I suppose I could remove the coulters from their "arms"??

i have notilled lots in the past.a mistake a lot of people make,me too till i learned the hard way,coulters should not go any deeper than your going to plant.maybe shallow by half inch or three eights of plant depth.