Last spring our John Blue piston pump on our White planter quit on us during corn planting. That forced a few compromises, and it’s clear our starter fertilizer system needs both a repair and an upgrade before next spring.

Here’s what we’re currently running:
• 8000 row units with row clutches
• Controlled by an Ag Leader Integra
• Fertilizer pumped from tanks with a John Blue piston pump
• Red Ball flow indicators distributing to Totally Tubular tubes
• Dribbling ~20–25 GPA of starter

What I’d like to add is better measurement and control. Specifically, a flow meter and a control valve so I can actually monitor and verify what we’re applying, not just assume it’s right. The other objective is to have an alarm in the cab to alert when flow reduces or stops.

My initial plan is to:
• Rebuild the John Blue pump
• Add a flow meter and flow control valve
• Tie everything into an Ag Leader Liquid module so it’s visible and adjustable in-cab
For those of you who have gone down this road:
– Is rebuilding the John Blue pump still the right move?
– Any preferred flow meters or regulators?
– Anything you’d do differently if you were setting this up today?

I’m open to lessons learned—especially the ones you only learn the hard way.

(20250423_204801 (full).jpg)

(20250605_111515 (full).jpg)

20250423_204801 (full).jpg (145KB - 2 downloads)

20250605_111515 (full).jpg (106KB - 1 downloads)