Attaching new Keeton seed firmers vs. the old ones?

Seems like every year while out in the field I have a couple seed tube sensors either on my John Deere or Kinze finger planters that need replacing. Most generally this is out in the field. I have the Schaffert rebounders (orange colored) now and they just strap to the seed tube. I just take the hopper off and pull the seed tube out and make the needed repairs. The Schaffert's really do not cause any major difficulty. A few weeks ago I bought a set of Keeton seed firmers. They probably are the most common of seed firmers. Opened the box and read the instructions. They want the seed tube with the firmer radiator clamped to the center scraper in between the double disk openers. To make repairs I would have to remove a gauge wheel, then remove one of the disk openers just to get into the scraper to undo the radiator clamp that holds the seed tube/sensor. I think I read that the Keetons apply more pressure and therefore more drag which might cause the seed tube to shake and cause the seeds to bounce inside on the way down if it wasn't attached. CAN I JUST ATTACH THE KEETONS TO THE SEED TUBE AND NOT THE INSIDE SCRAPPER????? If I can't I might just stay with the Schaffert's for the simple fact I can make quick field repairs. Thanks.

The Keatons will break your seed tubes IF you do not mount them correctly. I wonder why you having seed sensor fail so much???? I bet that I have not replaced one in 3-4 years. I test them every winter and then it seems we are good to go.

Hi JD Seller. I do preventive maintenance / testing before planting as well. Everything always works before you go to the field. Just seems like there is a fail somewhere during the season. I agree with you that the Keetons could very well break the "attaching hook" off of the seed tube. Just seems like a lot more time when you have to take so much apart. JD, do you use Keeton seed firmers???

We used seed firmers for a while. In conventional tillage we just could not see them improving the stand any. So I bet that we have not used any for the last 8-10 years.

I have had to replace one tube sensor in problably twenty five years and it was a pinched cable shorted out.