WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

About Germinator Closing Wheels

The Germinator® Closing wheel is an innovative and modern closing wheel that has replaced the traditional and outdated rubber wheels. The Germinator® closing wheel is useful in promoting the successful and consistent germination as well as the emergence of the seed. It is made out of premium-grade steel which is helpful in reducing the risk of sidewall compaction. Utilize down-pressure as you have in the past. You may be able to lighten it slightly (monitor results if making changes). It is suitable in all types of soil and tillage conditions including heavy soil with no-till conditions.

Recently a Midwest company conducting high-quality practical agricultural research reported that using a superior performing closing wheels such as Germinator® closing wheels was the most cost-effective solution with the quickest most immediate rate of return, for enhancing corn or soybean production and profitability. Their research showed, closing wheels such as Germinator® could increase corn production as much as 5.1 bushels per acre and soybean production 2.5 bushels per acre.

Because Every Seed Deserves Firm Soil Contact

What makes the Germinator® unique is its inner-rim shoulder-firmer, which encases the seed with soil, maximizing seed-to-soil contact. It’s not just any closing wheel. Reach your yield potential!

How Germinator® Works

Crumbles and firms the soil at the same time.

Works in diverse field conditions.

Smooth surface and rounded center.

Cost-effective and easy to install.

DESIGNED BY FARMERS FOR FARMERS

The Germinator® Difference

The wheels of the Germinator® closing wheel are engineered in such a way that they are highly effective in all tillage and soil conditions.

The closing wheel for planters is suitable for planting soy, corn, sun flowers, sugar beats, dry beans , and other “row” crops. Due to the innovative and unique design, the Germinator® closing wheel prevents air pockets and covers the seed ‘V’ properly in order to create better seed-to-soil contact.

Setup options of Germinator® closing wheels

The closing wheels for planters can be used with almost all types of planters. Since the Germinator® closing wheels are one of the best planter closing wheels, the traditional closing wheels can be replaced with these modern Germinator®closing wheels.

Apart from this, when you are using a planter closing wheel there is no need to use the rubber ring insert options that are used in the outdated factory issued closing wheels.

Why Germinator® is the Solution

The wheels of the Germinator® closing wheel are engineered in such a way that they are highly effective in all tillage and soil conditions. The closing wheel for planters is suitable for planting soy, corn, sun flowers, sugar beats, dry beans , and other “row” crops. Due to the innovative and unique design, the Germinator® closing wheel prevents air pockets and covers the seed ‘V’ properly in order to create better seed-to-soil contact.

Germinator® vs. the Competition

If you have additional storage capacity in your grain bins, you may want to consider switching to Germinator® Closing Wheels. Precision Planting’s 2023 study confirmed that Germinator® Closing Wheels had a 13 bushel advantage in no-till and a 7 bushel advantage in conventional till over traditional rubber closing wheels.

What Our Customers Say

Best Yield Results To-Date:
My planter is a Case-IH 1225 converted to “V” style closure by Farm Shop MFG. I do both no-till and conventional till.
In no-till-
I experienced the best trench closure I have ever had, resulting in very even emergence.  The trench stayed closed all season (In past years the trench would reopen as the soil dried out).  Both of these benefits helped me achieve higher grain yields in 2025.
In conventional-till-
I saw benefits as well over the standard Case IH single closing wheel system. My soil is highly variable, from very mellow silt-loam to heavy clay that can be very cloddy, all in the same pass.  The silty soil can be somewhat sticky at times; the single Case-IH press wheel would build up with soil, stop turning, and drag soil, leaving shallow soil cover on seeds, and or very uneven seed placement.  The Germinators rolled thru these areas perfectly, giving me a very even emergence. In the very cloddy areas, the seed was not firmed into the trench by the standard Case-IH press wheel, allowing the soil to dry out very quickly, leading to uneven germination.  With the Germinator closing wheel system, the seed trench was “much” firmer producing a more even stand, leading to a noticeably better yield.
At the end of the day, my stands and yield across the entire farm were the best I have experienced with my Case IH planter! (that includes 8 seasons).
Dan Lewis, Gaston, Oregon

Northwest Seed and Supply- Flatland Farming

I tested Germinator® Closing Wheels on my 16-row planter this past season, with 8 rows equipped with Germinator® Closing Wheels and the other 8 rows with Yetter Twisters. This setup has truly showcased the difference in performance between the two.

After planting, we harvested the fields using an 8-row combine, treating each pass separately. The data collected from the combine revealed some remarkable results. In the first field, the Germinator® Closing Wheels provided a significant 3.5 bushels per acre advantage over the other rows. The second field showed an even greater advantage, with Germinator® Closing Wheels boasting a 5 bushels per acre lead.

The consistent and impressive performance of Germinator® Closing Wheels has truly impressed me. Not only did they contribute to improved yields, but they also demonstrated their effectiveness across different field conditions. I am confident in the quality and impact of Germinator® Closing Wheels, and I look forward to using them in the seasons to come, on ALL 16 rows!

Todd Z., Parkston, SD

After conducting a thorough comparison between Germinator® Closing Wheels and Yetter Twisters, my son-in-law and I reached a unanimous decision to utilize the Germinators for the upcoming 2024 planting season. Twisters left the soil loose around the seed. Germinators® demonstrated their ability to create a proper seed bed, firming the soil, ensuring optimal, firm seed-to-soil contact and an ideal germination environment. Recognizing the significance of seed bed germination environment in determining crop success, we are confident that the Germinators® will contribute to improved yield and overall productivity. As farmers, it is essential to get this last mechanical action of the planter right!

Randy, Minnesota

I finished our first round of planting this afternoon. Our Germinator® closing wheels worked great, conventional and no-till. We were impressed by how firm the soil was around the seed and soft on the topside.  The “best” seed furrows I have ever planted: period! Appreciate all your help.

Howard, Bennett, NC

My planter has never worked well on soybeans. I’ll definitely be using the Germinator® wheels again and will be telling everyone I know.

Paul P., NY

I added a little more down pressure to the airbag on my planter. I am pleased to say I have the best stand ever! You did a great job in developing the Germinator® Closing Wheel.

Dave R., Oklahoma

In the spring of 2023, I had a very nice crop emergence. I had just one issue; my neighbor’s emergence was “more even”. On the clay hills some of my furrows opened up… his did not! He had the best emergence/most even-stand in the neighborhood. He has been using Germinator® closing wheels by Farm Shop MFG, and has been very pleased with his results! With my resent purchase of 16 rows, I expect I will be just as pleased in the spring of 2024.

Denis S., South Central Michigan

In the spring of 2021, I purchased some Germinator® closing wheels in an effort to do a better job of closing the furrow on the rows right by my tractor tracks. I bought twelve for the rows between and beside my duels. To my surprise, my problem furrow’s, became my best rows! The corn emerged easily a day earlier and with a more even stand. In 2022, all of my closing wheels are Germinators®.

Doyle, Southern MN

Spring of 2021, my sons and I decided to purchase spiked closing wheels for two of our three 24 row planters. After researching, my interest was in the performance generated by Farm Shop MFG®’s Germinator® steel closing wheel. The reviews of its inner-shoulder maximizing seed-soil-contact looked to make it the best performer. The 50 grade steel construction’s longevity also added value (after 4,500 acres, they still look new!).

My sons, following some research that they had read, wanted to get Yetter Twisters. We outfitted 23 rows on my planter with Germinator® closing wheels and one row of Twisters and 23 rows of Twisters on my sons planter with one row of Germinators. As we started out, aside from the “firm seed zone” generated by the Germinator®, we thought the results were similar. As crops started to emerge, we all fell into agreement; the Germinators were edging out the Twisters with performance by it’s “inner-shoulder-firmer”! I’m glad I didn’t let my boys talk me out of Germinator® closing wheels on my planter!

Gary P., Northern Missouri

In 2021 my brother Reid, bought a set of Germinator® closing wheels for his planter. Being from Canada and unable to obtain repair/replacement parts rapidly, he bought two extra. Since Reid is a great brother, he told me to put the spares on one of the rows of my 20-row planter and try them out. To my surprise, I had one row on every planter pass merge more rapidly and evenly than the other 19. Those Germinator® closing wheels did an impressive job and in January 2022, I bought my own set!

Vaun Genik, Manitoba, Canada

I’ve been farming for 40 years and I’ve run Germinators for three seasons now. When I bought my new planter, this wasn’t even a question — Germinators went on it.

They close the bottom of the furrow better than anything I’ve ever tried, especially in no-till. When it’s damp or even a little wet, they still get the job done. Plain and simple, they work.

George S., Huntsville, IL

The two things I look for when investing in a machine upgrade are, return on my investment and durability.
My germinators have made me a great ROI from perfect emergence.
As far as durability, they show little wear after 7000 acres.
I am extremely happy with the investment in my Germinators.
Emergence and durability are impressive.
John M., Estherville, IA

FarmShop Mfg

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