Seed Hawk TOOLBAR 2015 - Manual (Page 45)

SEED HAWK ® 2015 TOOLBAR OPERATOR’S MANUAL 40
4.11 Side Banding with Anhydrous
Ammonia
Extreme caution must be exercised when side banding with anhydrous ammonia
(NH
3
). If the separation distance between the seed and the NH
3
is not sufficient,
the germinating seedling can be damaged.
Several factors affect how far from the point of injection in the soil NH
3
will
move:
• NH
3
will move farther in dry soils than wet soils. Hilltops tend to have low-
er soil moisture content and are therefore more susceptible to NH
3
travel.
• NH
3
will move farther in light textured soils (e.g., sandy soils) than in heavi-
er textured soils (e.g., clay soils).
• NH
3
will move farther in soils with low organic matter.
• If the soil is lumpy or not closing behind the knives, NH
3
can move more
quickly through the cracks or between the lumps of soil.
• Higher concentrations of NH
3
will cause the product to move farther in the
soil.
Other Factors to Consider:
• Some crops are more sensitive to NH
3
burn. Generally, oilseed and pulse
crops are more sensitive than cereal crops.
• Turning, while seeding, can vary the relative position of the seed and fertiliz-
er knives. This results in a larger separation of seed and NH
3
.
• When the fertilizer knife trips, it raises the injection point of the NH
3
and
may affect the separation of the seed and NH
3
.
WARNING! Use extreme caution when applying anhy-
drous ammonia fertilizer. Inhalation, skin and/or eye con-
tact, or skin penetration can cause serious health problems.
Seek medical attention immediately if coming into contact
with anhydrous ammonia.
4.12 Drop Tube Extension with NH
3
The delivery drop tube should extend 0.5 in (13 mm) past the stainless steel
clips. This usually prevents mud from freezing to the fertilizer knife.
IMPORTANT! Seed Hawk ® assumes no responsibility for any seedling damage
caused by anhydrous ammonia burn. The operator is responsible for checking
and setting the seeder in all field conditions.