Corn Planter Buying Guide: How to Choose a 2 to 6 Row Planter

A good corn planter puts every seed at the same depth and spacing, with fertilizer placed beside it, in a single pass. That is what turns good seed into an even stand and a higher yield. This corn planter buying guide compares our five tractor-mounted models, from a 2-row planter for a 12 hp tractor to a 6-row planter for 80 hp, and explains how to choose rows, row spacing and seeding depth for maize and soybean.

How a Tractor-Mounted Corn Planter Works

Each row unit opens a furrow for fertilizer, a second colter boot opens the seed furrow, the metering plate drops one seed at a time, and a disc furrow cover closes the soil. Our 2SH planters are driven by the land wheel, so the seed rate follows ground speed and no PTO or hydraulic power is needed. The planter hangs on a standard three-point linkage, which makes it easy to hitch, lift at headlands and transport.

5 Corn Planter Models Compared

All models below sow and fertilize in one pass, with row spacing adjustable from 500 to 700 mm. Full details are on our corn planters and seeders page.

• 2SH-2 (2 rows): for tractors from 12 hp, about 110 kg, overall size 1300 × 1620 × 1000 mm.
• 2SH-3 (3 rows): for 24–50 hp, about 160 kg.
• 2SH-4 (4 rows): for 24–50 hp, about 200 kg. The best seller for small and medium farms.
• 2SH-5 (5 rows): for 24–80 hp, about 250 kg.
• 2SH-6 (6 rows): for 24–80 hp, about 300 kg, for larger fields and contractors.

Common to all: seeding depth 30–50 mm, fertilizer depth 30–70 mm, furrow colter boot for fertilizer, moldboard colter boot for seed, disc furrow cover, land-wheel drive and a working speed of 5–7 km/h. All are suitable for maize and soybean.

How Many Rows Do You Need?

Work out the area you need to plant and the days you have in the planting window. At 5–7 km/h with 600 mm row spacing, each extra row adds about 0.3–0.4 ha per hour of theoretical capacity, before turning and refilling time. As a rough guide:

• Under 5 ha: a 2-row planter behind a small tractor or a 12–25 hp machine.
• 5–40 ha: a 3- or 4-row planter behind a 24–50 hp tractor.
• Over 40 ha: a 5- or 6-row planter behind a 50–80 hp tractor.

If you are still choosing a tractor, read our tractor horsepower guide or see our 4WD tractors.

Setting Row Spacing and Seeding Depth

Row spacing should match your harvester or the spacing used in your region; 600–700 mm is common for maize and 500 mm for soybean. Seeding depth of 30–50 mm suits most soils: plant deeper in dry, light soil and shallower in cold, wet soil. Place fertilizer to the side and slightly below the seed so roots reach it without burning the seedling. For agronomic detail, the University of Minnesota Extension has a useful guide to strategies for successful corn planting.

Seedbed Preparation Before Planting

A planter performs best on a firm, level seedbed without large clods or heavy residue. Plough or disc the field first, then level it with a harrow or rotary tiller so the land wheel turns evenly and the seed depth stays constant. See our ploughs, disc harrows and rotary tillers for a complete land preparation line.

Corn Planter Calibration and Maintenance Tips

• Calibrate the seed rate before the season: lift the planter, turn the land wheel a set number of turns and count the seeds from each row.
• Drive at a steady 5–7 km/h; going faster causes skips and doubles.
• Check that the metering plates match your seed size.
• Clean fertilizer hoppers after each day, because fertilizer is corrosive.
• Grease chains and bearings and check colter boots for wear before planting.

Related guide: Boom Sprayer for Tractor: 7 Sizes from 200 to 1000 L and How to Choose

Related guide: Planting soybeans too? See our soybean planter guide for seed plates, row spacing and strip intercropping.

Corn Planter FAQ

Can a corn planter also plant soybean?

Yes. All 2SH models are listed for maize and soybean. For dedicated soybean–corn strip intercropping, we also offer a 6-row soybean–corn planter.

What tractor do I need for a 4-row planter?

The 2SH-4 is matched to 24–50 hp tractors with a three-point linkage.

Do you ship planters with spare parts?

Yes. We can quote spare metering plates, chains and colter boots with your order, and planters can be shipped together with a tractor. See export and shipping.

Is a maize planter the same as a corn planter?

Yes. Maize planter, corn seeder and corn planter all describe the same machine; “maize” is the usual name in Africa, Europe and much of Asia. Our 2SH maize planter range covers 2 to 6 rows, and every model in the range also plants soybean.

How many hectares can a 4 row corn planter plant per day?

At 600 mm row spacing and 5–7 km/h, a 4 row corn planter has a theoretical capacity of about 1.2–1.7 ha per hour. After turning and refilling time, plan on roughly 6–9 ha in an 8-hour day. The 2SH-4 is matched to 24–50 hp tractors.

Why choose a corn planter with fertilizer?

A corn planter with fertilizer places fertilizer 30–70 mm deep beside the seed in the same pass, so you save a separate fertilizer pass and nutrients sit where young roots find them. All 2SH models carry fertilizer hoppers as standard.

What details do you need for a quotation?

Tell us the crop (maize, soybean or both), the number of rows, your row spacing, tractor horsepower and linkage category, the quantity and the destination port. With these details our team can confirm the right model, suggest spare parts and quote freight by sea or rail. Dealers can mix several sizes in one container to lower the cost per unit. Contact us on WhatsApp.

How should I store the machine after the season?

Empty and wash the seed and fertilizer boxes, dry them and oil the metering parts. Remove the chains, clean and oil them, and grease all bearings. Store the machine under cover on blocks so the wheels and colters do not rest on wet ground, and check for worn parts now so spares arrive before the next season.

Related guide: our wheat seeder guide covers 6 to 24 row disc seed drills for wheat, barley and other small grains.

Get a Corn Planter Quote

Tell us the number of rows, row spacing, tractor horsepower, quantity and destination port, and we will send a quotation for your corn planter. Contact us on WhatsApp or browse all SH corn planters and seeders.