Seed Hawk TOOLBAR 2010 - Manual (Page 35)

Seed Hawk Manual Tool Bar Page 32
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
• Cornering
• Furrow Depth and Width
• Knife Lateral Separation
4.8.1 Packer Tire Pressure
Ensure that the packer tires are inflated to the appropriate pressure.
Foam filled 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.