Farm Equipment - Corn Planter Seed Spacing

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Corn Planter Seed Spacing

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URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=161277
Printed Date: 01 Apr 2026 at 10:30pm
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Topic: Corn Planter Seed Spacing

Posted By: Johnwilson_osf
Subject: Corn Planter Seed Spacing
Date Posted: 23 May 2019 at 7:00pm

Greetings my fellow Orange Enthusiasts,

I am looking at adjusting my planter to change the population of corn seed/plants in my field. I run 24 cell lustran (John Deere) plates in my 70 series planter units. Currently I have the Drive sprocket (18 teeth), and the driven sprocket (10 teeth). Planting with my 6080 in 3rd gear (intermediate), I am going about 5mph.

The chart in my planter book says that I should have a spacing of about 6.22 inches, for a population between 32 and 34K (I run 30 inch rows).

I am trying to figure out how to swap my current sprockets to gain a population between 30 and 32K.

Here is what I have: 6 row planter

6: 18 tooth sprockets

12: 14 tooth sprockets

12: 10 tooth sprockets

If I look at the chart, in the 5mph range, it gives me the following options

Drive Driven Spacing Rough Population

20 12 6.72 32000

15 9 6.72

18 11 6.85

13 8 6.90

11 7 7.13

14 9 7.20

20 13 7.28 28000

I am trying to figure out if I swap my 10 for their 9, what difference it will cause, or similarly, a 14 for their 13, etc.

My whole reason for doing this, is because last year, my fields were heavily populated, and i think the yield was down because the plants were competing.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

John

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Allis Express: Eastern PA on Rt 80
8050, 8010, 6080, 190, D14, DA 6035, AA 6690, 5650, Gleaner F2

Replies:

Posted By: bleeds orange
Date Posted: 24 May 2019 at 6:00pm

I sent you a PM.

Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 25 May 2019 at 2:55am

Your planter’s transmission has an 18 tooth drivers sprocket (Dr) making one revolution, which turns a 10 driven sprocket (Dn) 1.8 revolutions for 33,000 (32,000-34,000).

So using proportional ratios;

33,000 = 1.8
32,000 = 1.75
31,000 = 1.69(1.7)
30,000 = 1.63

Dr & Dn
18 & 11 = 1.63
20 & 12 = 1.66
17 & 10 = 1.70
19 & 11 = 1.73

Depending on limitations, you could use multiple sprockets combinations to equate similar ratios.

Posted By: victoryallis
Date Posted: 25 May 2019 at 6:17am

Sone varieties handle population better is this a flex or determine ear?

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8030, 7060, six 6080’s grandpa’s D17, 8760, 8100, and 8970 Deere.

Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 26 May 2019 at 12:47pm

And, check the size of your seed as it fits your plate cells. Can make a HUGE difference. Is this a round or flat seed? I have a lot of info on this if you need further help, just pm.

Posted By: Johnwilson_osf
Date Posted: 26 May 2019 at 8:54pm

Thank you for the answers. I do get sized seed from my seed distributor. I do my best to match the plates to the seed. My preferences are Large Flat, Medium Flat, Large Round, Medium Round, in that order. I usually manage to get the Flats, but sometimes they only have rounds in the varieties I want. My plate selection is such that I cannot handle smalls.

The last two years, I have grown indian corn for fall sales. What does not sell gets shelled, and then I plant it again. I had so much seed last year that I planted 12 acres for silage. That field produced very well, and didn't cost me much since I had my own seed. Because it was straight run seed, the plants were double and triple drops. I do not have a way to sort the seed into sizes, so I just used a medium round plate, and planted. All the small seeds went through as doubles and triples. The larger seed went through beautifully.

This is not the reason for my plate questions however. I do get fixed and flex ear varieties, so I am trying to best match the population to the varieties.

John

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Allis Express: Eastern PA on Rt 80
8050, 8010, 6080, 190, D14, DA 6035, AA 6690, 5650, Gleaner F2

Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 27 May 2019 at 8:55am

Ok. Sounds like you are looking at the seed. However, I will suggest, IF you have ROUND seed, even if sized from your distributor, pour some out and look at it with a very critical eye. In the Indian corn product, you are likely in a whole different realm than my experiences.