Seederman GS2, Owners Manual And Operating Manual

Page 1: ...GS2 GS3 Automatic Needle Seeder Owners Manual and Operating Guide ...

Page 2: ...ting machine to air source 5 Inserting needles 6 Attaching sowing kit 7 Leveling the machine 8 Checking the index length 9 Adjust height of sowing assembly 10 Operation 11 12 Cleaning the needles 13 Setup and Operation Dibbler 14 Vibrator Lubricator 15 Replacing Sensors 16 Maintenance 17 18 Safety precautions 19 Contacts 20 ...

Page 3: ...so suitable in a larger growing environment The speed at which these machines will sow varies greatly upon several factors including Size of tray Seed type Operator You should expect to sow UP TO 180 size 288 trays or 120 size 512 trays per hour This machine will accommodate plug trays from 50 to 512 cells The operator can change the sowing kit from one plug tray to another in less than 5 minutes ...

Page 4: ... machine The table should be able to withstand the weight of the machine and 3 filled trays at a minimum As this machine is manufactured using high grade aluminum it is perfectly capable of withstanding the hot and humid conditions of most greenhouses however you should avoid running this machine in or under a water source The GS2 and GS3 Automatic Needle Seeders were engineered to operate using o...

Page 5: ...ne is not correct to your air source you can purchase a inch NPT fitting at most supply stores The regulator is located at the top of the masthead on the left side as the operator is facing the machine The regulator is auto drain but please note this is not a water drain it is designed to reduce moisture Figure 1 Filter regulator in off position Airline connects to fitting below blue handle ...

Page 6: ...raniums Pelletized seed Brassicas Pink 023 Large palletized seed Green 033 Cyclamen cucumber Amber 054 Squash zucchini Insert needles into the tip on the needle bar insuring tips of needles are facing vertically in the down position Do not use undue pressure to insert needle into tip as it may cause the tip to break If needle does not insert easily inspect needle and tip for debris or damage Your ...

Page 7: ...t is square to the seed pan and flush to the back of the machine The needle bar is located just above the drop tube bar To remove the needle bar first disconnect the two air hoses from the front and rear The air hoses are equipped with a quick release fitting To release push the ring at the connection toward the fitting away from the hose and the hose should release DO NOT PULL ON THE HOSE After d...

Page 8: ...ty of the seed centrally located If the seed needs to be centered across the width of the seed pan use the leveling pads on the front or rear of the machine If the seed is falling to the rear of the seed pan away from the needles the problem is either the degree of vibration or the leveling pads on the left hand side of the machine If the seed falls too far to the back of the machine raise the rea...

Page 9: ...ngths To check the indexing length manually slide the stroke to adjust assembly forward and backward and note that the push bars index at least one full cell and no more than one cell Do not be concerned if the push bar ends in the center of the cell The next step is to adjust the indexing push bars To do this first line the tray up so that the first cell is directly under the drop tube bar Next u...

Page 10: ... clearance of the tray The height adjust arm is raised and lowered with a single mechanism at the center of the machine There are two handles on the assembly the lower handle locks the assembly and the upper handle raises and lowers it First unlock the assembly by turning the lower handle to the left then using the top handle raise or lower the mechanism to the desired height Relock the assembly w...

Page 11: ... correct needles have been inserted to match the cells The rails have been adjusted to the correct width for the tray The indexing has been adjusted to the correct length Air is connected to the machine The machine control panel is shown below from left to right across the top of the machine Figure 10 Vacuum gauge Figure 11 Eject pressure gauge Figure 9 Seed collector switch needle cleaner switch ...

Page 12: ...or to neatly and completely collect any remaining seed left in the pan The seed collector is located on the operator s panel at the left hand side Turn the vibrator pan on as it is easier to collect the seed while vibrating Remove the hose from the holder and turn the knob counterclockwise until you hear vacuum pressure in the hose Place hose into seed pan and vacuum seed until all is removed To r...

Page 13: ...n the needle cleaner switch located on the control panel to the active position Within a few seconds debris should be clear from the needle If the needle fails to clear on the needle cleaner it may be necessary to soak the needle in warm water for about one hour then try cleaning it on the needle cleaner again The needle cleaner is located at the back and to the right of the machine to prevent any...

Page 14: ...ling section of the sowing kit unlock the two locking handles on either side of the top of dibbling bar mount to release the bar underneath Replace the bar with that of a different sowing kit and relock the handles The locking handles on the dibbling bar mount were machined so that the dibbling bar can be positioned exactly over the center of the tray width On the top of the dibbler support arm is...

Page 15: ...nch clockwise until the bowl releases Fill with the provided oil until the level line marked on the side of the bowl is met Replace the bowl on the mount ensuring the tab is firmly in the original position Once this is complete check that the rubber O ring is in place on top of the bowl DO NOT calibrate the lubricator without first contacting Seederman first as this may be detrimental to the funct...

Page 16: ...ensor before removing as this will ensure the airlines can be replaced into the correct section after installation Remove the air tubes by pressing the black ring at the end of the sensor fitting and gently pull away These can sometimes be stiff With the use of a wrench remove the sensor from the cylinder and replace with a new sensor It is not necessary to use thread lock on the fitting from the ...

Page 17: ...ue behind To clean the tubes soak them in a small amount of mild detergent and let dry completely before use Note that some operators have found that a small amount of residue from seed even pelletized actually assists the seed dropping through the tube even faster so you may want to try the tubes first Check bolts and handles to insure they are secure Prior to each use Connect air and check vibra...

Page 18: ...sary you can use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe out seed pan Do use any cleansers in or on seed pan If you do spill for example coffee into seed pan wipe seed pan out with clean cloth using water only If a sticky liquid is accidentally spilled into pan it may be necessary to clean with a small amount of mild detergent dip a rag into solution then clean pan then rinse pan with clean water Alw...

Page 19: ...chine Needles should be kept in a safe place away from children There are pinch points on this machine Caution should be exercised to avoid placing hands or other body parts on or near the indexing arm or the indexing cylinder Also keep fingers and clothing out of the way when adjusting the side guide rails see figure 3 to avoid pinching when moving these into position Use air gun safely Do not po...

Page 20: ...ed any assistance or have any questions about your Seederman Seeder please contact us Write us Seederman Seeders 8015 Thompson Road Spencer IN 47460 E mail us Graham seederman com Susan seederman com Telephone us 815 370 5075 ...