Soybean Planter Guide: 2 to 6 Row Models, Seed Plates and Row Spacing

A good soybean planter puts every seed at the same depth and spacing, so the crop emerges evenly and is ready to harvest at the same time. Hand sowing wastes seed and leaves gaps for weeds. This guide shows how our tractor-mounted models work, which one fits your tractor and fields, and how to set them up for soybeans.

How a Tractor Soybean Planter Works

Our seeders mount on the tractor three-point linkage. As the tractor moves, a land wheel turns and drives the metering system by chain, so no PTO or hydraulic power is needed. Each row unit has:

• a seed hopper and a metering plate that picks up one seed at a time,
• a fertilizer box and colter that place fertilizer beside and below the seed,
• a furrow opener that cuts a narrow slot to the set depth, and
• a covering device that closes the furrow over the seed.

Sowing and fertilizing happen in one pass, which saves fuel, time and labour.

Soybean and Corn Planter Models Compared

We offer two families for soybean. The 2SH corn fertilizing planters are also suitable for soybean when you fit soybean seed plates. The S2SH-6 is a six-row soybean and corn planter built for strip intercropping.

Model	Rows	Row spacing (mm)	Matching power (hp)	Seeding depth (mm)	Fertilizer depth (mm)	Weight (kg)
2SH-2	2	500–700	12	30–50	30–70	110
2SH-3	3	500–700	24–50	30–50	30–70	160
2SH-4	4	500–700	24–50	30–50	30–70	200
2SH-5	5	500–700	24–80	30–50	30–70	250
2SH-6	6	500–700	24–80	30–50	30–70	300

All 2SH models use a furrow colter boot for fertilizer, a moldboard colter boot for seed, a disc furrow cover and land-wheel transmission, with a working speed of 5–7 km/h.

The S2SH-6 strip intercropping planter sows corn and soybean side by side. Its intercropping spacing is 600–700 mm, row spacing is 350–500 mm for corn and 300–400 mm for soybean, and plant spacing is set by gears: 59–130 mm in the low range and 141–320 mm in the wide range after a gearbox change. Plant spacing, sowing depth, pressing force and fertilizer rate are adjusted independently, and each unit follows the ground on its own.

Soybean Seed Plate and Spacing Setup

The seed plate is the heart of accurate sowing. Soybean seeds are round and smaller than corn, so a corn plate will drop doubles or skip. Always fit the correct soybean seed plate before the season and check that its cells match the size of your seed lot.

Row spacing for soybeans depends on your local practice, variety and harvester. On the 2SH series, row spacing adjusts from 500 to 700 mm. Narrower rows close the canopy sooner and help shade out weeds; wider rows leave room for an inter-row cultivator. Whatever you choose, match it to your harvester header and your tractor wheel track so the wheels run between rows.

Soybean seed is usually sown shallower than corn. Within the 30–50 mm seeding depth range, aim for moist soil but not too deep, because soybean seedlings must push a large seed leaf through the surface.

Choosing Rows by Tractor HP and Farm Size

• Around 12 HP, small plots: the 2-row 2SH-2.
• 24–50 HP, family farms: the 3-row or 4-row models. As a guide, a 4-row planter usually needs 40–60 HP, depending on soil and a full fertilizer box.
• Up to 80 HP, contractors and large fields: the 5-row or 6-row models cover more hectares per day.
• Strip intercropping of corn and soybean: the six-row S2SH-6.

Narrow units suit small and hilly fields; wide units save time on large flat land. Our selection assistant lists all planters that fit your tractor.

Field Tips for Even Emergence

Prepare a firm, level seedbed first with a rotary tiller or a disc harrow, so clods and trash do not block the openers. Then:

• Calibrate by lifting the planter, turning the land wheel a set number of times and counting seeds or weighing fertilizer.
• Check depth in the first few metres and again during the day, as the soil dries.
• Drive steadily within 5–7 km/h; going too fast causes skips and doubles.
• Keep fertilizer away from the seed by setting the fertilizer colter deeper than the seed.

After emergence, a row cultivator controls weeds between the rows without chemicals.

Maintenance and Spare Parts

Empty the fertilizer box at the end of every day, because fertilizer absorbs moisture and corrodes steel overnight. Brush out the seed hoppers so old seed does not jam the plates. Before each season, check that seed plates are not cracked, chains and sprockets run freely and are lightly oiled, openers and boots are not worn short, and land-wheel tyres are at the right pressure, because wheel size changes the sowing rate. Spare seed plates, chains and openers can be ordered with the machine so dealers can support farmers through planting.

Common Buying Mistakes

• Ordering a corn planter without soybean seed plates.
• Choosing more rows than the tractor can lift with full hoppers.
• Setting row spacing that does not match the harvester or wheel track.
• Skipping spare plates and chains, then losing days at planting time.

Why Buy Direct from the Factory

We build our planters in our own factory in China and sell direct, with SH labelling, OEM options and export packing. We ship by sea, rail and air – see export & shipping. For more on corn row units, read our corn planter buying guide.

Timely planting is one of the biggest drivers of yield. The FAO’s work on sustainable agricultural mechanization explains how mechanized sowing helps farmers plant on time.

FAQ

Can a corn planter plant soybeans?

Yes. Our 2SH corn units are also suitable for soybean by changing the seed plates.

What is the best row spacing for soybeans?

It depends on your variety, region and harvester. Our 2SH planters adjust from 500 to 700 mm, and the S2SH-6 sets soybean rows at 300–400 mm.

What is a strip intercropping planter?

It sows strips of corn and soybean side by side in one pass. Our S2SH-6 does this with independent adjustment for each crop.

Does the planter apply fertilizer at the same time?

Yes. The 2SH series places fertilizer at 30–70 mm depth in the same pass as the seed.

Get a Quote

For a quick quotation, send us:

• The model and number of rows (for example 2SH-4)
• Quantity, and how many spare seed plates you need
• Your tractor HP and row spacing
• Your destination port

Contact us on WhatsApp +86 133 8469 2372 or see every model on our seeders and planters page.