Seed Hawk TOOLBAR 2011 - Manual (Page 35)

Seed Hawk Manual Tool Bar Page 30
4.8 PRIMARY OPERATION VARIABLES
Packing
Positive soil to seed contact is essential for optimum seed germination. Soil type,
extent of tillage or disruption and moisture content all influence germination
percentages. There are six primary variables that affect the quality of soil packing:
 Packer Tire Pressure
 Field Travel Speed
 Packing and Trip Pressure
 Mud Scraper Adjustment
 Cornering
 Furrow Depth and Width
 Knife Lateral Separation
4.8.1 Packer Tire Pressure
Ensure that the Pneumatic packer tires are inflated to the appropriate pressure.
Semi-Pneumatic packer tires do not, of course, require air pressure adjustment.
4.8.2 Field Travel Speed
Select a field travel speed that will allow productivity, but will not compromise
accurate seed and fertilizer placement. Higher field travel speeds tend to cause
excessive soil disturbance and can throw soil into adjacent furrows resulting in
deeper seed depths. Higher field travel speeds also reduce the effect of soil
packing by reducing packing pressure.
4.8.3 Packing and Trip Pressure
Determining and setting effective packing and shank trip pressure allows for
optimum seed germination rates. Setting the packing and trip pressure too high
may result in: more rocks being pulled out of the ground, higher wear on shanks
and opener parts, excessive packing pressure and less tripping in harder soils.
4.8.4 Packing and Trip Pressure Tips:
 It may be desirable to further increase packing and trip pressure in drier,
sandier soils.
 Higher packing and trip pressures can result in more rocks being pulled out
of the soil.
 Higher wear on opener parts may be experienced with higher pressure.
 Soil packing will be more firm with higher packing and trip pressure.
A reduction in shank tripping action will be experienced in firmer soil conditions.