Walking Tractor Planter Guide: Corn and Wheat Seeders

A walking tractor planter (also called a two wheel tractor planter) turns a two-wheel tractor into a complete sowing unit. Instead of sowing by hand, one operator can plant corn in straight rows or drill wheat in five even lines, at a steady depth and seed rate. This guide explains the SH corn and wheat planters for walking tractors, how they work, and how to set them up for an even crop.

Which Walking Tractor Planters Are Available?

Model	Type	Rows	Fits
SH-CP1	Corn planter	Single row	All walking tractors
SH-CP2	Corn planter	Double row	All walking tractors
SH-WP5S	Wheat planter, single sowing	5 rows (4- and 6-row versions available)	All walking tractors
SH-WP5D	Wheat planter, double sowing	5 rows (4- and 6-row versions available)	All walking tractors

All of them attach to the rear hitch of a standard walking tractor, from the 8 hp class up to 25 hp. See the full range on our walking tractors page.

How a Walking Tractor Planter Works

Seed sits in a long hopper above a row of metering units. A drive wheel on the ground turns a shaft through a chain, and the shaft turns the meters. Because the drive comes from the wheel, seed rate stays linked to forward speed – drive faster and more seed drops, drive slower and less drops, so the seeds per metre stay the same.

Below each meter, a seed tube leads to a furrow opener that cuts a small slot in the soil. The seed falls into the slot and loose soil closes over it.

Corn Planter or Wheat Planter?

Corn planters – the hand tractor corn planter type – place single seeds at a set spacing in one or two rows. They are designed for corn, which needs exact spacing between plants so every plant gets enough light and nutrients. Choose the double-row SH-CP2 if your fields are large enough to turn easily at the ends.

Wheat planters – often called a power tiller seeder – drill small grains continuously in 4, 5 or 6 narrow rows. The double-sowing version (SH-WP5D) gives a denser stand where farmers want more plants per square metre.

For larger farms with a four-wheel tractor, see our corn planter buying guide and wheat seeder guide.

Prepare the Seedbed First

A walking tractor planter only works well on a fine, level seedbed. Most walking-tractor farmers make one or two passes with a rotary tiller attachment after ploughing, then sow while the soil is still moist. Big clods lift the openers and leave seed on the surface.

Walking Tractor Seeder Calibration in 5 Steps

1. Fill the hopper with clean seed, free of stones and chaff.
2. Lift the planter and turn the drive wheel 10 full turns by hand.
3. Collect and weigh the seed from each row – all rows should give about the same amount.
4. Calculate the rate from the wheel circumference and row width, then adjust the meter opening until you reach your target.
5. Test in the field over 20–30 m, dig up a few seeds to check depth and spacing, and fine-tune.

Working Tips

• Drive at a steady walking pace and keep the rows straight with a marker or string at the start.
• Keep the hopper at least a quarter full so the meters feed evenly.
• Check that no seed tube is blocked at every turn.
• Close the hopper lid on windy or rainy days to keep seed dry and free-flowing.
• After sowing, empty the hopper and clean the meters so seed and fertilizer do not cake inside.

The photo above shows metering units packed in cartons, ready for export. Small-scale mechanization like this is a focus of the FAO’s work on sustainable agricultural mechanization.

FAQ

Will the walking tractor planter fit my tractor?

The SH corn and wheat planters are made to fit all common walking tractors. Tell us your tractor model and we will confirm the hitch.

How many rows does the wheat planter sow?

Five rows as standard, with 4-row and 6-row versions available.

What is double sowing?

The SH-WP5D sows a denser stand than the single-sowing SH-WP5S, for farmers who want more plants per square metre.

Get a Quote

Tell us your walking tractor model, the crops you grow and your destination port. Browse all attachments on our walking tractors page.