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Section 2: Operating Instructions
10/13/11
APS1548, APS1560, APS1572 & APS1586 All Purpose Seeder 313-354M
Table of Contents
4.
Make sure each seed cup door handle is set at the
same height across the seeder. The highest position
is usually used for grass seeds.
5.
Be sure all bolts and nuts are tight.
6.
Be certain all guards are in place and secure.
7.
Clear area to be seeded of rocks, branches, and
other foreign objects. Mark any potential hazards.
8.
Tall grass and weeds should be mowed before
seeding.
9.
Never allow anyone to ride on the seeder.
10. Adjust front rollers to desired angle. Make some
practice runs with drive sprocket disconnected to
determine the best roller angle for your application.
11. Do not back up while seeder is on the ground unless
rear roller is disconnected from drive sprocket.
12. Disconnect rear roller from drive sprocket before
backing up seeder to clean front and rear mud
scrapers of debris.
13. Disconnect drive sprocket if more than one pass is
required to prepare a seed bed before seeding.
14. Reconnect drive sprocket when ready to seed.
15. Do not make sharp turns while seeder is on the
ground.
16. Seeding should not be done in wet conditions as soil
will stick to the rollers.
17. At first begin seeding at a slow forward speed and
shift up until the desired speed is achieved.
Maximum speed to plant seed will vary according to
soil conditions.
18. After seeding the first 50 feet, stop and check to see
that the seeder is adjusted properly.
Parking the Seeder
The following steps should be done when preparing to
store the seeder or unhitch it from the tractor. See also
“Section 5: Maintenance & Lubrication” on page 30 for
additional information on long term storage.
1.
Park the All Purpose Seeder on a level, solid area.
2.
Lower seeder to level ground or onto blocks
supporting the seeder just above ground level.
3.
Shut off tractor engine and engage parking brake.
4.
Chock front & back rollers to keep unit from moving.
5.
Un-hook 3-point hitch from tractor. Reinstall hitch
pins and linch pins in seeder hitch for storage.
6.
See “Cleaning and Storing” on page 30" if the
seeder is not going to be used for a long time.
General Operating Instructions
Once you have read the Operator’s Manual, properly
installed the seeder to the tractor’s 3-point hitch, ran
through the Operating Checklist, filled the box with seed,
and calibrated the unit for proper seed rate delivery, it’s
time to do some serious seeding.
The All Purpose Seeders have ground driven seed
delivery systems. The power to drive the seeder comes
from the forward momentum of the tractor. As the tractor
moves forward the ground driven rear roller transfers
power via chain driven sprockets to the seed metering
system. Seed rate remains constant and in direct
proportion to the distance traveled and is affected very
little by actual ground speed.
As the front spiked rollers pass over areas to be seeded
they open up the soil profile. The more critical the angle
adjustment on the front rollers, the more aggressive the
cultivating action will be. Seed is then delivered at the
precise predetermined rate through the wind guarded
seed drop area between the front and rear rollers. The
rear roller then presses seed into firm contact with the
soil to promote a superbly high germination rate.
Seeding should not be attempted in wet or muddy
conditions.
Now that you understand how it works, it is time to begin
seeding. You may want to make a few passes with the
seeder drive sprocket disconnected just to make sure
your front rollers are adjusted to the proper angle and to
determine correct ground speed for cultivating the soil
profile to your expectations. Ridging of loose soil is
possible when the front rollers are set at an angle and
your ground speed is too fast. Slow your ground speed to
eliminate ridging. Re-engage the seeder drive sprocket
once you are satisfied that the proper amount of soil
opening action is being achieved.
You should already have removed any large stones or
obstacles from the area you plan to seed. Line the tractor
up for the first pass and choose a tractor gear selection
that will deliver a ground speed of approximately
3-5 mph. Lower the three-point hitch and seeder slowly
to the ground and begin driving forward, slowly at first
until you get comfortable with what you are doing. As you
approach the end of the lane you are seeding, slow down
and come to a stop while simultaneously raising the
seeder off of the ground. With the seeder raised, line up
for your next pass and repeat the process. Look back
often and avoid making very sharp turns with your seeder
on the ground if you expect to develop a uniform seeding
pattern. The more experienced you become the better
you will get at developing beautiful seed plots and
beautiful lawns.
Whenever you are done seeding always clean the seeder
out and perform all maintenance prescribed in the
Operator’s Manual. Never leave seed stored in the
hopper for prolonged periods. Never dismount your
tractor without first coming to a full stop, turning off the
tractor, and setting the park brake. Never allow riders on
the tractor when working with any rear mounted
implement installed.
With a little practice you should get very good at
developing lush green stands of grass with your Land
Pride All Purpose Seeder.
