Seed Hawk TOOLBAR 2013 45 & XL SERIES - Manual (Page 36)

SEED HAWK® TOOLBAR OPERATOR’S MANUAL 36
4.11 PRIMARY OPERATION VARIABLES
4.11.1 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
4.11.2 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.
4.11.3 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.
4.11.4 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.
4.11.5 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.