Brackets Fine-Tune Closing Wheels

2024 - Volume #48, Issue #4, Page #35

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When a local farmer came to E.J. Swihart with a problem, the two devised a solution. The problem was being unable to fine-tune the closing wheel downforce on a Deere planter.
  “He had an idea of what he wanted, which was a bracket with more adjustability,” says Swihart, Swihart Solutions. “I started welding stuff up for a prototype. Several tries later, and I had what he was looking for.”
  Swihart had a set of brackets that mount to the original tailpiece on the closing wheel. Installation takes less than a minute. With nine holes versus Deere’s four holes, the farmer can choose any of nine downforce settings between 10 and 60 lbs. Each setting is spaced 5.5 lbs. from the previous one, with two settings lower than Deere’s allowed.
  “In addition to increased accuracy and adjustability, the brackets keep the T-handle centered to prevent the spring from contributing to side drift,” says Swihart.
  Swihart made a full set of the brackets, which the farmer used for his 2023 planting. The farmer was tickled, and Swihart realized others might like the brackets, too. He showed the brackets to Brian Sieker at New Ag Supply, who really liked them and is now distributing them.
  “I do a little of everything in custom fabrication, but what I’m really passionate about is developing new products that increase efficiency and productivity,” says Swihart. “I like to work with farmers because they know exactly what they need to make their systems work better.”
  Swihart enjoys developing a solution as he did with the Set Exact downforce brackets. “I like to look for a product that can help not just one farmer but thousands and then get it up to scale,” he says. “One out of a hundred projects are things that more than that one client can benefit from. I have a lot of projects in the works and try to prioritize the ones with the most potential.”
  New Ag Supply offers the brackets for use on XP and ME Series Deere planters. They cost $66 each and include all needed hardware.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, New Ag Supply, P.O. Box 347, Chase, Kan. 67524 (ph 620-938-7009; newagsupply@gmail.com; www.newagsupply.com) or Swihart Solutions, 602 E. 5th St., Enterprise, Kan. 67441 (ph 785-477-9854; ej@swihartsolutions.com; www.swihartsolutions.com).

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Brackets Fine-Tune Closing Wheels PLANTING EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous When a local farmer came to E J Swihart with a problem the two devised a solution The problem was being unable to fine-tune the closing wheel downforce on a Deere planter “He had an idea of what he wanted which was a bracket with more adjustability ” says Swihart Swihart Solutions “I started welding stuff up for a prototype Several tries later and I had what he was looking for ” Swihart had a set of brackets that mount to the original tailpiece on the closing wheel Installation takes less than a minute With nine holes versus Deere’s four holes the farmer can choose any of nine downforce settings between 10 and 60 lbs Each setting is spaced 5 5 lbs from the previous one with two settings lower than Deere’s allowed “In addition to increased accuracy and adjustability the brackets keep the T-handle centered to prevent the spring from contributing to side drift ” says Swihart Swihart made a full set of the brackets which the farmer used for his 2023 planting The farmer was tickled and Swihart realized others might like the brackets too He showed the brackets to Brian Sieker at New Ag Supply who really liked them and is now distributing them “I do a little of everything in custom fabrication but what I’m really passionate about is developing new products that increase efficiency and productivity ” says Swihart “I like to work with farmers because they know exactly what they need to make their systems work better ” Swihart enjoys developing a solution as he did with the Set Exact downforce brackets “I like to look for a product that can help not just one farmer but thousands and then get it up to scale ” he says “One out of a hundred projects are things that more than that one client can benefit from I have a lot of projects in the works and try to prioritize the ones with the most potential ” New Ag Supply offers the brackets for use on XP and ME Series Deere planters They cost $66 each and include all needed hardware Contact: FARM SHOW Followup New Ag Supply P O Box 347 Chase Kan 67524 ph 620-938-7009; newagsupply@gmail com; www newagsupply com or Swihart Solutions 602 E 5th St Enterprise Kan 67441 ph 785-477-9854; ej@swihartsolutions com; www swihartsolutions com

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