Appendix 3. Description and components of a wet broadcast seeder⁴

A general description of the components of the wet broadcast seeder is presented here for the efficient operation of the implement.

• Hopper: The hopper system described here eliminates the need for a person tending the seed input.

  The hopper is constructed of sheet metal, 28 gauge by 36 inches, riveted at the seam and shaped into a cone to facilitate gravity feed of seed to the inductor pipe. A floor at the bottom of the cone, approximately 6 inches in diameter, acts as a seat for the inductor pipe.

  The inductor pipe is centred inside the length of a 3-inch diameter ABS pipe, resting on the floor of the hopper to dissipate seed. The inductor pipe will not plug because of the weight of the seed in the hopper. The ABS pipe supplies unrestricted air, allowing free flow of seed through the inductor pipe. When seed fails to climb the inductor pipe, raising and lowering the inductor pipe a few inches will usually clear any seed that has blocked the pipe. Testing of seed dispersal can be accomplished either by visual evidence of seed on the target area, by the screen test (counting seed on a tight mesh, 1 m² or 10 ft² screen), or by visual evidence of seed volume decreasing in the hopper.

  The flexible hose connecting the inductor and eductor pipes is a 5/8-inch diameter heater hose. Problems may develop when friction by seed wears a hole in the hose, causing loss of vacuum or collapse. The hose can be shortened, sealed with tape or replaced.

  Precautions:

  • Do not use wet seed because it binds up and plugs the inductor pipe.

  • Keep all foreign objects (e.g., seed bag labels, small rocks and woody debris) out of the hopper to prevent blockage of the inductor pipe.

  • The height of the ABS pipe above the floor of the hopper may require adjustment for different textures of seed mixes.

• Nozzle: One single eductor pipe is threaded onto the venturi area of the nozzle to maximize vacuum for seed suction. All restrictions in the nozzle remain the same as in Fleck's Foam nozzle.

  The 5/8-inch diameter eductor pipe of excellent durability works well with all blends of seed.

  The 5/8-inch heater hose must not be connected to the eductor pipe before the pump starts running and vacuum in the nozzle is established. Also, the hose should be removed at nozzle end when the system is not operating. These precautions are necessary to prevent water accumulating in the line, seeping into the suction system and ceasing the seed flow.

  The eductor pipe should be held facing skyward when starting the pump. This procedure will prevent water and seed binding.

  Proper screening of water at the end of the suction pipe, especially when the tank is being filled from a small water source, is mandatory. Otherwise, the strainer screen in the nozzle will plug, causing partial or total loss of vacuum. If the nozzle does not shoot 50–60 feet at the warm-up setting with the Mk 26 pump, the nozzle strainer should be cleaned.

  Spray distance can be increased by enlarging the restriction in the nozzle. Further improvement can be achieved by incorporating a larger Wajax Mk 3 pump.

• Holding tank: The simple version is a 100-gallon aluminum portable back tank in the box of a pickup truck. A disadvantage is that water lasts only for an average of five minutes, requiring many reloads and repriming of the pump at every reload.

  An improvement is a 500-gallon tank on wheels pulled behind a pickup truck. This provides an average spray time of 25 minutes at warm-up speed with the Mk 26 pump, reduces the number of reloads, travel time and travel distance significantly, and, because the pump is loaded with water by gravity, eliminates priming the pump.

  One problem with this method, however, is turning around. Do not attempt it with a full tank in a restricted area as the heavy tank can pull the vehicle over the bank.

• Vehicle: A 3/4-ton four-wheel drive pickup should be used with both 100- and 500-gallon tanks. The vehicle should be operated in lowest gears with the 500-gallon tank to avoid overheating the motor, transmission and brakes. Access to most areas with the 500-gallon tank is not restricted.