When planting major row crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat, most farmers use some type of planter attachment system to apply starter fertilizer. This gives seeds an extra kick of nutrients right from the beginning to encourage vigorous early growth. While many opt for high-end electric or hydraulic fertilizer pumps and control systems, more basic low cost fertilizer kits can also get the job done efficiently.
If you want to add fertilizer capabilities to your existing planter on a budget here are some great options to consider
Ground Drive Fertilizer Kits
A ground drive kit is one of the easiest ways to spread fertilizer. These use the ground drive wheel of the planter to power a piston pump that moves fertilizer around.
Ground drive fertilizer kits come in 4, 8, 12, 16 or 24 row configurations. They include the piston pump, regulator valve, flow meter, tubing, hose clamps and hardware needed for installation. Prices range from around $500 for a 4-row kit up to $1,300 for a 24-row.
Ground drive kits provide variable rate fertilizer application that automatically adjusts based on planting speed. Their simple design requires no electronics or external power. Just mount the pump connect plumbing to the openers and you’re ready to go.
12 Volt Electric Fertilizer Kits
By adding a 12 volt electric fertilizer pump kit that is powered by the tractor’s battery, accurate fertilizer dosing can be made possible. The pump, flow meter, control panel/rate controller, wiring, tubing, and hardware are all part of these self-contained systems.
Basic 12 volt electric kits with mechanical rheostat dial controllers start around $1,100 for 4 rows and $1,500 for an 8-row system. Kits with electronic rate control via PWM offer precision rate adjustment but cost more.
For smaller planters, a simple 12 volt diaphragm or roller vane pump with basic controls precisely applies fertilizer without the expense of fancier hydraulic or ISOBUS-ready systems.
Fertilizer Placement Tubes
One of the most affordable ways to outfit a planter with fertilizer capabilities is adding tubes to channel liquid fertilizer directly to each seed trench. Kits with stainless steel tubes, fittings, clamps and tees to route fertilizer from the main tank or pump to planter openers cost less than $100 per row.
Placement tubes allow any planter to precisely apply starter fertilizer without requiring a whole pump system. Use a nurse tank and electric valve to meter fertilizer into the tubes. Installation is quick and straightforward.
Tubes are made to fit all major planter brands like John Deere, Kinze, White, and Case IH. Versions to replace OEM tubes on late model planters make upgrading to stainless simple.
Fertilizer Tank & Valve Kits
To take the most basic route, you can outfit a planter cart with a small tank and electric valves to gravity feed fertilizer through tubes without a pump. Low cost fertilizer tank and valve kits provide this simple functionality.
Less than $600 gets you a 25- to 100-gallon cone-bottom tank, a stand, electric solenoid valves, and plumbing parts. Install tubes to route fertilizer to planter rows. Open the valve and fertilizer flows out by gravity. Close it when done.
This very basic kit lets you fertilize small areas with a small amount of fertilizer. For bigger planters, 350-gallon tanks can also be turned into full gravity flow systems.
Key Components of Basic Kits
While options range from basic gravity flow to fully computerized, most simple low cost fertilizer kits include:
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Fertilizer pump – Ground drive piston, 12 volt electric diaphragm, hydraulic piston, etc. to pull fertilizer from the tank.
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Flow meter – Monitors GPM to control application rate. Basic ground drive kits use fixed displacement pumps instead.
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Regulator valve – Adjusts output volume on ground drive and hydraulic drive kits.
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Rate controller – Electric systems allow rate adjustment via mechanical dial or electronic panel.
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Plumbing parts – Hose, clamps, valves, fittings to route fertilizer from tank to each row.
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Tubes or openers – Deliver fertilizer right to the seed trench for direct application.
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Tank – Holds fertilizer supply. Small nurse tanks or onboard systems.
Simple Fertilizing for Stronger Starts
Adding liquid starter fertilizer at planting is proven to help crops establish vigorously. Even basic planters can be outfitted with a low cost fertilizer kit for under $1,000 to gain these benefits.
With fertilizer prices rising, applying starter right where it counts makes the most of efficiency. Investing in one of these simple systems can provide valuable returns.
While full-featured electric and hydraulic pumps offer advanced capabilities, more basic kits provide an affordable way to fertilize. For small farms and planters, a simple low cost system may be all that’s needed to bolster yields.
When selecting a fertilizer kit, consider your planter size, desired application rate, and budget. With so many choices available, you can find a setup that suits your needs without breaking the bank. A bit of starter fertilizer can give crops a boost right from the beginning.
Compatibility with Your Planter
Before selecting a liquid fertilizer planter kit, ensure that it is compatible with your existing planting equipment. At L&D Ag Service, we offer a variety of kits designed to fit different planter models, providing flexibility for your equipment setup.
Why Choose Liquid Fertilizer Planter Kits?
- More easily accessible nutrients: plants can usually get nutrients from liquid fertilizers more easily than from dry ones. When put on the ground right before planting, they break down quickly in the soil, giving plant roots nutrients right away. This quick access can help your plants grow faster in the beginning, setting them up well for the growing season.
- Increased Efficiency: One of the best things about liquid fertilizer planter kits is that they make planting and fertilizing much easier. With these kits, farmers can plant and apply liquid fertilizer at the same time, cutting down on the number of times they have to go across the field. This not only saves time but also keeps the soil from getting too hard, which is bad for crop health.
- Precision Application: In modern farming, precision farming is becoming more and more important. Variable rate applications are possible with liquid fertilizer planter kits. This means that you can change the amount of fertilizer used based on the needs of the field. This targeted approach can help farmers save a lot of money on input costs and lessen the damage their methods do to the environment.
- Cost-effective Solutions: Farmers can save money in the long run by using liquid fertilizer planter kits. By applying fertilizer in the best way, you can cut down on waste and make sure that every drop of it helps your crop grow. Less field passes can also save money on fuel and labor because they are more efficient.
- Environmental Protection: These days, environmental protection is very important. Using liquid fertilizer planter kits can help lower the amount of nutrients that run off into waterways. When fertilizers are used more precisely, there is less chance that extra nutrients will leak into the environment. This supports farming practices that are good for the environment.
Simple and Accurate In Furrow Planter Fertilizer Kit
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