Seederman GS2 Document technique
GS2/GS3 Automatic
Needle Seeder
Owners
Manual and
Operating
Guide
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2!
GS2/GS3
Owners Manual and Operating Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction – 3
Space, environment, and air requirements – 4
Connecting machine to air source – 5
Inserting needles – 6
Attaching sowing kit – 7
Leveling the machine – 8
Checking the index length – 9
Adjust height of sowing assembly – 10
Operation – 11, 12
Cleaning the needles – 13
Setup and Operation – Dibbler – 14
Vibrator Lubricator – 15
Replacing Sensors – 16
Maintenance – 17, 18
Safety precautions – 19
Contacts – 20
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3!
Introduction
The GS2 and GS3 models are operated in the same fashion. The
differences between the two are that a GS3 model is standard
with a leg kit eliminating the need to place the machine on a
table, and the GS3 is standard with a dibbling unit. The GS2
machine can accommodate a dibbling unit, and both machines
can also be fitted with a Vermiculite dispenser.
The GS2 and GS3 Automatic Needle Seeders were designed for
the small greenhouse grower, but are also suitable in a larger
growing environment.
The speed at which these machines will sow varies greatly upon
several factors including:
-Size of tray,
-Seed type,
-Operator.
You should expect to sow UP TO 180 size 288 trays, or 120 size
512 trays per hour.
This machine will accommodate plug trays from 50 to 512 cells.
The operator can change the sowing kit from one plug tray to
another in less than 5 minutes.
Seederman has designed these popular machine in various sizes
to meet growers demands for additional options (such as dibble
bar and
Vermiculite dispenser), and to allow for more trays across the
table.
Seederman offers a 2 year warranty on all parts (except needles).
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4!
Space, environment and air requirements
The GS2 Automatic Needle Seeder is designed as a tabletop model. The
space requirements are as follows:
Length = 6.5’ to 10’
Width = 32 inches
Height = 28 inches
Weight = approx. 100 lbs. for 6.5’
A sturdy working table allowing at least 4 inches in excess of length and
width is suggested to support this machine. The table should be able to
withstand the weight of the machine and 3 filled trays at a minimum.
As this machine is manufactured using high-grade aluminum it is perfectly
capable of withstanding the hot and humid conditions of most greenhouses,
however you should avoid running this machine in or under a water source.
The GS2 and GS3 Automatic Needle Seeders were engineered to operate
using only compressed air as its source of power. No electricity is
required. This machine requires 80 PSI at 5 CFM to operate all
components.
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5!
Connecting the air source
Connect your air source to the regulator connector being careful to make a
secure connection. The gauge is preset to 70 psi. If the fitting that comes
with the machine is not correct to your air source, you can purchase a ¼
inch NPT fitting at most supply stores.
The regulator is located at the top of the masthead on the left side as the
operator is facing the machine.
The regulator is auto drain but please note, this is not a water drain, it is
designed to reduce moisture.
Figure 1. Filter regulator in off
position. Airline connects to
fitting below blue handle.
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6!
Inserting Needles
Your machine came equipped with a set of needles. Each needle has
qualities that are more suited to different types of seed. Below are some
examples of seeds and the needles you should use for each. Use this as a
general guide to help determine the proper needle for the seed you are
sowing. If you have questions, or need another needle size, please contact
us.
Color Size Seed type
Clear .008 Petunias, Dusty Miller, Coleus
Red .010 Impatiens, Tomatoes (small), Carnations
Orange .013 Marigold, Salvia, Vinca, Peppers
Blue .016 Alyssum, Kale, Zinnia, Dahlias, Pansies
Purple .020 Geraniums, Pelletized seed, Brassicas
Pink .023 Large palletized seed
Green .033 Cyclamen, cucumber
Amber .054 Squash, zucchini
Insert needles into the tip on the
needle bar insuring tips of
needles are facing vertically in
the down position. Do not use
undue pressure to insert needle
into tip as it may cause the tip to
break. If needle does not insert
easily, inspect needle and tip for
debris or damage.
Your kit comes equipped with extra needles
and needle tips. Replace if necessary. Tips
are screw mounted, needles are push
mounted. If you need additional needles or
tips, please contact us.
When using multiple needles per cell,
position outside needles slightly inward to
ensure accurate sowing.
Figure 2.
Needle
bar, drop
tube and
seed pan.
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Figure 3. Inward position for
multiple needles per cell.
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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.
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8!
Leveling the machine
To insure maximum precision seeding of your trays, it is necessary to insure
that your machine is level on each surface that you place it. The machine is
equipped with locking leveling pads to aid in leveling.
The best way to level this machine is to place a small amount of round seed
into the seed pan, turn the vibrator on, and watch where the seed locates
itself. It may be necessary to adjust the amount of vibration by turning the
vibrator knob to the left or the right. The seed should lightly “dance” over
the surface of the pan without undue bouncing. A properly leveled machine
will distribute the seed forward of the pan (near the needles) and evenly
from front to back with the majority of the seed centrally located. If the
seed needs to be centered across the width of the seed pan, use the
leveling pads on the front or rear of the machine. If the seed is falling to the
rear of the seed pan (away from the needles) the problem is either the
degree of vibration or the leveling pads on the left hand side of the
machine. If the seed falls too far to the back of the machine, raise the rear
leveling pads. If the seed falls too far forward of the machine, raise the front
leveling pads.
The leveling pads are equipped with a locking handle. To adjust the pads,
first turn the bottom handle counter-clockwise to unlock the pads. Then
raise or lower the foot with the top handle. When the foot is the correct
height, turn the bottom handle clockwise to re-lock the pad.
Figure 4. One of four leveling pads
located at each outside corner of
base of machine.
Figure 5. Seed in pan showing
properly leveled machine.
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9!
Checking the Index length
Make sure the air is not connected to the machine before changing the
indexing length. The first step is to calculate the length of the index- which
is roughly 1 ½cell lengths. For example, if you are using a standard 512 cell
tray – the length of stroke is approx. 1”, and a standard 288 cell tray is
approx. 1 ¼”. It is not necessary to determine the exact length, but you
need to insure that the push bar clears the wall of the next cell. To adjust
the stroke length, pull the handle toward you and release to lock. Slide the
stroke to required length and push handle away to lock the handle in place.
Measure the gap between the end of the cycle bar and stop bracket to the
length that you determine to be 1 ½cell lengths.
To check the indexing length, manually slide the stroke to adjust assembly
forward and backward and note that the push bars index at least one full
cell, and no more than one cell. Do not be concerned if the push bar ends in
the center of the cell.
The next step is to adjust the indexing push bars. To do this, first line the
tray up so that the first cell is directly under the drop tube bar. Next, unlock
the indexing push bar on the right hand side of the machine and slide it
right or left, until the prongs of the push bar are up against the forward wall
of any cell. Once the right hand push bar is set, then offer the tray forward
(left) to the left hand push and repeat to adjust.
Figure 6. Stroke assembly showing
gap between handle bar and
bumpers.
Figure 7. Tray is properly set up with
first cell directly under drop tube,
indexing push bar is set to forward wall
of cell. In the foreground is the stainless
steel vacuum actuator
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10!
Adjust height of sowing assembly
You will need to adjust the height of the machines working parts to fit the
height of the trays you are using. To adjust the height of the entire working
assembly (seed pan, drop tube bar, and push bars), first raise the assembly
to make sure that it will accommodate the height of the
tray, slide the tray under the drop tube arm, then lower
the assembly so that the drop tube sits just above the
tray with no more than 1/8” clearance of the tray.
The height adjust arm is raised and lowered with a single
mechanism at the center of the machine. There are two
handles on the assembly, the lower handle locks the
assembly and the upper handle raises and lowers it. First
unlock the assembly by turning the lower handle to the
left, then using the top handle raise or lower the
mechanism to the desired height. Relock the assembly
with the lower handle before operation.
The machine will be set to the proper index length, and
height, and all working components are proper seated
to fit the tray you are using.
Figure 8. Height adjust arm
with lower locking handle and
upper adjusting handle.
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