Corn planter closing wheel arm

[Paul]

I have a Kinze 3500 planter and running spaded closing wheels. The closing wheels run to deep when the planter is level. This is causing the seed slots not to close at the top, even with drag chains.  Is there any company that makes a unit to bolt to the closing arm to allow for height adjustment? Spaded closing wheels work great, but in tighter no till conditions I need some down force and then they go to deep. I don't want to run one rubber and one spike, then I'll have sidewall compaction on one side of the seed slot.  Paul

[matt hagny]

Do you have a light closing spring installed, to get small increments of adjustment?  If not, you might want to consider ours (which works well for the majority of spoked / spiked closing wheels on the market):

http://shop.exapta.com/Thompson-Wheel-Accessories_c8.htm

I agree with your conclusion about needing 2 spoked closing wheels per row.

Your problem of no closure -- to all of sudden digging the seeds out -- could also be originating with the design of the spoked wheel itself, depending on what you're actually running, and in what type of soil conditions.  Long, slender spokes commonly do too much digging and are difficult to control -- the company that builds / sells these recommends spacing them a considerable distance from the row to alleviate the problem.   My preference is to take a chop saw and cut off an inch or so from the 2.5" long spikes.  Farmers who've done this really like it. 

[Paul]

Thanks for the reply. I may do that, trim the spikes down. I have all winter and looking at the arms I believe there is plenty of room that I could fit a home made adjusting kit.  Just for the heck of it I e-mailed Kinze. They answered by saying closing wheels are a pressing action and no height control is needed. I guess they didn't hear of spiked closing wheels and how they work. Anyway!  thanks again and have an abundant harvest! Paul