Using Your Gopher Getter
10
Adjusting Deposition Rate of Bait
The bait application rate of the GA-800 is adjusted by moving the bait box and seeder slide base
backwards and forwards. One of the trippers located on the seeder drive axle may also be removed to
allow even less bait to be dropped. The seeder base, as shown in Figure 11, is attached to its mounting
bracket with 4 bolts and sliding it backwards (toward the packer wheel) will increase the bait application
rate. When applying Elston gopher bait, it should be adjusted so that the maximum opening of the hole in
the seeder slide is 1/2” (approximately 3/4 of the way toward the back) for an application rate of
approximately 2 pounds per acre with 20 feet between passes. For other types of bait, consult with the
bait dealer for recommended setup. If they do not have any recommendations, start with a maximum
opening in the seeder slide of approximately 1/2” and the number of spacer plates recommended in the
section above and measure the actual application rate. Adjust the application rate by shifting the seeder
base backward and forwards and potentially increase it by adding spacer plates (up to a total of 3). If you
are still unable to achieve the application rate you need, please contact us at Elston Manufacturing at 1-
800-845-1385.
Adjusting Depth Bait
The packer wheel determines how deep the torpedo tube or burrow builder travels through the ground.
The depth of the torpedo tube should match the depth of the gopher’s natural burrows in your area. This
can be determined by locating and digging up one of their main runways to see how deep they are
actively working and adjusting the packer wheel accordingly. It is not necessary that the depth of the
torpedo tube be exact; only that it is close enough to intercept the gopher’s main runways. The depth
adjustments are made with the two threaded rods located on either side of the knife assembly. When
standing behind the machine and facing the machine, the rod on the right side locks the wheel in place
once the decided position is set and the rod on the left side adjusts the packer wheel. To adjust the wheel,
loosen the two nuts on both rods that lock the adjustments in place. When the wheel is set in place, spin
the two nuts back in position and tighten to lock the wheel in place. Figure 12 shows a depiction of this
adjustment.
Figure 11: Adjusting Rate of Bait Application
