Grain drill setting for beans

Dad picked up a international 510 drill set on 7 inch spacing. We are going to  plug every other hole for 14 inch rows. The chart under lid says set at 'x' for 'y' population. Do we double 'x' for split rows or leave it the same ? I just can't wrap my mind around  doubling the setting,that's alot of seed in a row. Thanks

You generally need a little less population in wider rows and when planting them at the right time and into good or better conditions. More seed generally needed if really early or really late or poor seedbed. I have seen good crops from 110,000 drilled plants that looked really bad as seedlings. Our drill is on 8 inch spacings.

We aim for a certain population of beans then do the math to get pounds needed for the desired population. Beans in 7 inch rows look really ragged at lower populations (like 140,000/acre or lower) early because they tend to not singulate and space well. Bean yields can be pretty good in about any row width/ans sometimes at lower population and sometimes wide rows out do narrower and other times or years or plant dates it is the opposite.

I think the 15 inch rows are popular because they space the seed out in the row and most 15 inch rows are planted with a planter that does a great job of putting most of the seed in the ground at the desired depth resulting in some economy regarding seed used and plants at harvest. Also planters may be have a few less wear parts compared to the acres they plant making them a popular choice for some. The common seeding rates result in seeds spaced at 2 to 3 inches in the row so they do emerge well and look nice early.

So if I were wanting to use the drill I would drill them in 7 inch rows and aim for a rate that gets 140,000/acre plants out of the ground. probably 160,000 or so at seeding. Mathematically that is one seed every 5.6 inches in 7 inch rows. If you miss one seed being in its place another plant tends to fill it's place. See what mother nature sends you and hope for the best.

what rw said

I think the drill is a good idea. Maybe plant some in 30's and compare for yourself. Saw a small patch of 30's this summer that a guy grew and it looked like maybe no herbicide. Had a set of cultivators may have been front mounts on a later model two cylinder deere. We had a wet July and it was a good reminder of why we don't do it that way anymore. Patch may have been too small to spray. rw

Gained 3-4 bushels going from drilled beans to planting with a planter on 19 inch centers.

Lots to consider, Where I work we have done 12 in, 24 inch, and 30 inch.  Some planted with planter others with air seeder, (Concord). over the years cannot say one is better than other, depends alot on previuos crop and what residue you are planting into but no significant difference.