7
Attach the sowing kit
Before changing a sowing kit, the air source should be disconnected from
the machine and all excess air should be released by using the attaching air
gun.
The sowing kit is comprised of a drop tube bar located at the base of your
machine, and a needle bar. If a dibbler unit was ordered with your machine,
your sowing kit will also include a dibble bar. Each kit is specific to a certain
tray.
The bottom drop tube bar has one handle mounting it to the rear of the
machine. To change the drop tube, grasp the drop tube to steady it, and
with your other hand turn the handle counter-clockwise until the tube is
released. To attach a new tube, line the tube up with the handle, grasp the
tube and turn the handle clockwise until tight. Make sure when attaching a
new tube that it 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 disconnecting the air
hoses, you can remove the needle bar from the assembly by unscrewing the
two handles at the top of the bar, one on the front and one on the rear. To
attach a new needle bar, line it up with the two handles and tighten each,
then connect the air hoses by inserting the hose into the fitting.
The needle bar height may need to be adjusted so that the tips of the
needles fit just inside the seed pan. Adjust the height by first unlocking the
outside thumbscrew, then turning the inside thumb screw to raise or lower.
Figure 3. Two thumb screws
to adjust height of the needle
bar.
