• How is the Technotill Seeding System different from other seeding systems?
What is unique is precision packing – packing where it counts. We use a spring loaded skid plate to pack a thin, firm layer of moist soil over the seed at the bottom of the furrow. In dry conditions, Technotill owners can choose to seed deeper into moisture and in wet conditions, the system does not over-pack. Technotill owners expect a high percentage of seeds to germinate quickly and evenly.
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• How do you set the pack thickness?
The bottom of the skid plate is raised or lowered using a nut on a threaded rod. A jam nut secures the setting.
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• How thick should the pack be, and what does it look like?
In heavy soils and wet conditions, the pack is set at ¼ inch. In other soils the pack can be set thicker, to a maximum of ½ inch. When seeding grass, the pack is set thinner than ¼ inch.
The pack is clearly visible. In clay soil, it is as firm as the seedbed. In lighter soil, it is less firm, but still clearly visible.
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• Where is the seed placed and how deep can you seed?
The seed is placed at the bottom of the furrow on an ‘unfractured’ moist seedbed. Generally, Technotill recommends that the seed be placed 1 inch into moisture.
The pack thickness remains the same at any seeding depth.
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• What kind of cultivators can you put this on?
Any heavy-duty air-seeder, floating hitch cultivator, or fixed hitch cultivator in good repair can be used. The tool bar must have a heavy-duty (minimum 1 inch) C-shank and heavy-duty (minimum 450 pound) trip mechanism.
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• What kind of knives can I use?
Narrow furrow openers with front seed delivery are required, which allows the Technotill Precision Packer to be bolted to the rear of the shank.
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• How long will the skid plates last?
A choice of skid plates is available. The standard skid plate is achieving approximately 8 to 10 times the acreage that could be expected from a cultivator shovel in the same conditions. Carbide can be added to the main wear point on the skid plate, which more than doubles the acreage expected from the standard skid plate.
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• What kind of fertilizer can be used?
A blend of “starter fertilizer” can be placed with the seed. Dry, liquid or NH3 fertilizer can be side-banded.
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• How much fertilizer can be used?
This varies, depending on soil test results, moisture conditions and the type of crop being seeded. We recommend that a blend of starter fertilizer be placed with the seed and additional fertilizer side-banded.
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• Where is the side-banded fertilizer placed?
After the seedrow is packed, the fertilizer is sidebanded into the wall of the furrow. The fertilizer is placed the thickness of the pack higher than the seed, and approximately 1 ¼ to 11/2 inches from the seedrow.
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• What is the chain used for?
In older models, a chain was used to break up dirt, straw and chaff lumps; provide a loosely packed, protective layer above the packed seed; and mix dry fertilizer with the loose soil in the seedrow.
The chain is no longer needed. Fertilizer is side-banded, straw and chaff management practices have improved, and the chain was found to be ineffective in light soil and wet conditions.
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• What cultivator spacing can be used?
The most frequent spacing is 9-12 inches, with a minimum of 71/2 inches. Wider spacing reduces soil splashing from rear rows to front rows and provides more clearance in heavy residue conditions. A good summary of issues related to row spacing can be found at www.reducedtillage.ca (“Direct Seeding Trends – Row Spacing” by Ron Heller).
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• How should straw be managed when using the Precision Packer?
The Precision Packer works below the surface of the soil, which reduces some problems. Wider spacing accommodates more trash. Proper straw and chaff management during harvest is important to ensure that straw and chaff are chopped and spread evenly across the field.
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• What is Technotill’s warranty policy? What about repair or replacement parts?
All Technotill products are warranteed for the first year. Parts that fail will be replaced.
The Technotill Seeding System is made of steel alloy materials with heavy-duty fittings which have been found to stand up in abrasive conditions and stones. Technotill carries a stock of replacement parts.
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• How will the Precision Packer work in clay, gumbo and wet conditions?
In these conditions, Technotill recommends using a standard skid plate and a pack thickness no greater than ¼ inch.
Customer experience indicates very little problem with plugging.
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• Why are there interchangeable skid plates?
The skid plate is the point of wear on the Technotill Seeding System, so easy replacement is important. Experience has shown the standard skid plate works well in most conditions and cleans best in sticky conditions.
The skid plate can be customized for special situations:
- NH3 application – 1 burr is added to increase separation
- Extremely abrasive soil – carbide wear plate is added to the skid plate
- Light soil and very dry conditions - 1 or 2 burrs can be added to increase pack thickness
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• What seeding rate should be used?
Expect improved germination. Use the normal rate for cereals and pulses. Experience indicates that the seeding rate for canola should not be greater than 4-5 pounds/acre.
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• What horsepower requirement is necessary?
The Technotill Seeding System requires approximately 3 to 5 horsepower per shank. This is about the same as a 16 inch shovel.
3 horsepower per shank accommodates normal seeding conditions. 5 horsepower per shank allows for seeding deeper in dry conditions or direct seeding into heavy sod.
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• Where can I find more information on reducing tillage and conserving soil?
Check out:
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• Where can I find more information on innovative solutions for farming?
There is additional product information at: Atom Jet (www.atomjet.com).
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