AMVAC SmartBox Parts And Operator's Manual

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Parts and Operator's Manual

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Summary of Contents for AMVAC SmartBox

  • Page 1 Parts and Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 2 E. Section A will tell you the tools needed for installation and operation, as well as give you helpful hints to make installing the system as effortless as possible. From all of the employees at AMVAC Chemical Corporation who have worked to offer you the SmartBox system, we are confident that you will enjoy the many benefits ®...
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Controller Setup Controller Functions Row Configuration Planter Configuration Speed Calibration Grouping Console Adjust Chemical Information Computer Setup Section C Installation of SmartBox System Manager ® System Manager Setup SmartBox System Manager ® Add a New Controller Set Current Controller Data Download Clear All Controller Info...
  • Page 4 Select Field Number Field Cal Adjust On/Off Set Weather Specs AB Control Switch Area Information Variable Rate MPH...Area Monitor Troubleshooting 2013 SmartBox System Troubleshooting Section E Troubleshooting Speed Calibration Meter Calibration Meter Catch Test Guide for Operation System Application Issues...
  • Page 6: System Overview

    Information can be transferred to a Widows based personal com- puter using a USB flash drive. A Windows based record keeping software program is also included with the system. An added feature of the SmartBox System is the ability to enter controller information ® and function into the supplied AMVAC SmartBox system manager software and trans- ® fer to the controller using a USB flash drive for easier set up. The SmartBox System provides the operator with on-the-go flexibility to monitor and ®...
  • Page 7 Updates can be easily installed on your SmartBox controller using a USB flash drive. ® The SmartBox System can be registered by going to www.AMVACsmartbox.com. ® AMVAC SmartBox Home Web Page ®...
  • Page 8: What's Included

    (if required). Controller: The controller is the central control of the SmartBox System. It is installed ®...
  • Page 9 System Manager software can be used for setting up your controller ® and storing application information. The SmartBox System Manager software is a Windows based PC program that is compatible with Windows XP – Service Pack 3, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
  • Page 10 Wiring Cables: Cables included with the system include: tractor harness, (30 or 60 Amp) planter harness, (30 or 60 Amp), console pigtail harness, row adapter cables, 4-row harness and 8-row harness, and meter extension cable. These cables make electrical and communication connections between the controller and meters. 30 Amp tractor and 30 Amp planter cables are for use on system 23 rows and less.
  • Page 11 Mounting hardware is included. If insecticide brackets are not available for your planter model, they can be purchased along with your SmartBox System. ®...
  • Page 12: What's Not Included

    Recommendations on product application, either in-furrow or T-band, must come from your chemical dealer or AMVAC sales representative. Be sure to follow all label require- ments for application of insecticide. In-furrow Tube (John Deere Rear Mt) What’s Not Included: The following items are not included with the AMVAC SmartBox System.
  • Page 13 ® the sensor’s signal is split to several monitors a signal booster may be required. For help with the requirements of your setup, including compatibility of specific true wheel sensors and radar wiring arrangements please contact us at 1-888-SMARTBOX. For technical assistance, we also suggest these sources: AG-EXPRESS Electronics: Three Locations: Des Moines, IA = 515-289-2746...
  • Page 14 Discharging T-Band kits: If your AMVAC or chemical dealer is recommending T-banding your chemical, contact your local equipment dealer or call: Banders & Insecticide Systems: Walker, IA = 319-224-3339 Brackets are not provided: When installing the SmartBox System on a planter which ®...
  • Page 15: How To Get Started

    How to Get Started Tools Required: The following tools will be required to install your SmartBox System: ® 3/8” torque wrenches 3/8” socket set Small 3/8” sockets set 3/8” ratchet Pliers Small combination wrench set Drill (some cases) Drill index (some cases) Additional tools may be required for bracket, lift switch, and controller mounting.
  • Page 16 Planter Wiring Harness Instructions: Note: See Appendix A in this Section for detailed wiring diagrams on your particular planter. 1. Lay out all 4 and/or 8 Row Wiring Harness to each row starting at one end of the planter and ending at the other end. (see Row Planter Arrangement Diagrams) 2.
  • Page 17 3. Connect the radar unit (if used) to the round 4-pin connector (see Figure 11 and 12). 4. From the tractor-planter hitch point attach the Planter Hitch Harness to the Com- munication/Battery Harness. Run the cable to the power distribution box located at the rear of the planter.
  • Page 18: Installation

    Installation This section will include instructions on installation of the SmartBox controller system, ® row units, and wiring cables. Suggested cable routings and lift switch mounting loca- tions will be shown at the end of this section in Appendix A. The order in which you install your system components may vary from the order shown in this manual.
  • Page 19: Controller System

    Controller System: The front and back of the SmartBox controller are shown in the figures below. The ® controller should be installed inside the tractor cab (or mounted on the tractor if there is no cab) in a position where the user can easily see the screen during operation and where there is no possibility of the controller being damaged. Sufficient room must be...
  • Page 20 Suggestion: Before mounting the controller, estimate the length of cable required to run be- tween the controller and the connecting wiring harness. Each SmartBox System ® includes a Controller Pigtail Harness and either a 30 or 60 Amp Tractor/Battery Harness.
  • Page 21 Figure 2 - Battery Examples Your SmartBox System is fused in two different places. ® 1. Controller Console Pigtail (cigarette lighter) = 3 Amp fuse 2. Communication / Battery Harness (battery cable) a. 23 Rows or Meters and below 30A 25 Amp fuse b.
  • Page 22: Row Units

    ® meter with discharge tube, and transfer container. Note: The transfer container is shipped from your insecticide supplier and is not part of the SmartBox System shipped ®...
  • Page 23 6. If cotter pins do not hold cradle ® securely in place, use SmartBox cradle clips as a spacer between the frame and pins; or secure the cradle ® to the frame using the SmartBox cradle clips and fasteners (see Figure 3b figure 3b).
  • Page 24 2, Plus, Pro, XP, XP Pro) ® 1. Remove existing insecticide hoppers and drive mechanisms. ® 2. Orient SmartBox cradle as shown (see figure 4a, b, and c). 3. Place the 5/16" x 1-1/2" bolt with washer through the rear hole in...
  • Page 25 6. If cotter pins do not hold cradle place. ® securely in place, use SmartBox cradle clips as a spacer between the frame and pins; or secure the cradle to the frame and pins; or secure the cradle to the frame using the ®...
  • Page 26 Cradle Installation: Great Plains Planters 1. Remove existing insecticide hoppers and drive mechanisms. ® 2. Orient SmartBox cradle as shown (see Figure 6). 3. Place 5/16" x 1-1/2" bolt with washer through rear hole of the cradle down through spacer and slotted mounting...
  • Page 27 SmartBox cradle mounting clip and secure with lock nut. Cradle Installation: White Planter Series 6000 For White Planter Series 8000 planters contact 1-888-SMARTBOX for instructions. 1. Position seed hoppers so that lids slide ® toward front of planter (SmartBox transfer containers will interfere with lids sliding toward rear of planter).
  • Page 28 Note: These instructions are for initial meter installation. For meter replacement, see instructions in Section D of this manual. Always use a new meter gasket when installing or replacing the SmartBox meter. ®...
  • Page 29: Transfer Container

    Installation of Transfer Container to Base Container: Remove rain cover from base container (see Figure 12). Store rain cover for use when transfer container is not installed on base container. Apply a light dusting of baby powder/talc on the base container seal prior to seating trans- fer container.
  • Page 30 All cables must be routed and secured to the planter in such a way to eliminate damage during folding or planting. Damage resulting from im- proper installation will not be covered by the AMVAC Chemical Corporation warranty. The SmartBox System includes the following cables (quantities supplied depend on ®...
  • Page 31 Wiring harness connections are as shown in the next figures and diagrams. Suggested routings of wiring harnesses are shown in the specific planter arrangement drawings. • When mounting your Wiring Harnesses and Cables make sure you follow the planters existing wiring and hydraulics hoses. Slack should be left in cables when wiring around hinge points. This is to prevent wiring har- nesses from being pinched or cut when the planter flexes during planting, or when folding the planter for transport.
  • Page 32 Suggested 16 Row Planter Arrangement Diagram:...
  • Page 33 Suggested 36 Row Planter Arrangement Diagram:...
  • Page 34 Suggested 16 Twin Row Planter Arrangement Diagram:...
  • Page 35 Wiring Diagram Parts:...
  • Page 36: Lift Switch (Whisker)

    Lift Switch (Whisker) Installation: Mount the Lift Switch in a protected location in the “neutral” (off) position when the im- plement is in the raised position. As the planter is lowered to plant, the lift switch contact arm should be deflected, turning “on” the SmartBox System. ®...
  • Page 37 To obtain maximum magnetic holding force, it is critical that the mounting surface be smooth and free of dirt, weld splatter, paint runs, etc. It is also important that any debris be removed from the magnet prior to mounting. Connect the lift switch cable to the Power Distribution Box. On 2013 and newer models do not connect your Lift Switch to the 4 or 8 Row Wiring Harness.
  • Page 38 Due to the large number of planter arrangements available, some planters will not be included in this section. For further information concerning planters not included in this section, please contact your local AMVAC Representative. Tractor Wiring Diagram; Drawing 1: BATTERY HARNESS =...
  • Page 39 Planter Folding Styles: Rigid Drawbar (no fold) Planter Drawing 2 Rigid Three Point Hitch (no fold) Planter Drawing 3 Vertical-Fold Planter Drawing 4 Stack-Fold Planter Drawing 5 Wing-Fold (wings fold 180° forward) Planter Drawing 6 Stack-Fold and Wing-Fold (wing 180°) Planter Drawing 7 Front-Fold (wings fold 90°...
  • Page 40 Rigid Drawbar (no fold); Planter Drawing 2:...
  • Page 41 Rigid Three Point Hitch (no fold); Planter Drawing 3:...
  • Page 42 Vertical-Fold; Planter Drawing 4:...
  • Page 43 Stack-Fold; Planter Drawing 5:...
  • Page 44 Wing-Fold (wings fold 180° forward); Planter Drawing 6:...
  • Page 45 Stack-Fold and Wing-Fold (wing 180°) Planter Drawing 7:...
  • Page 46: Planter Drawings

    Front-Fold (wings fold 90° forward); 12 Row Planters - Planter Drawing 8:...
  • Page 47 Front-Fold (wings fold 90° forward); 16 Row Planters - Planter Drawing 9:...
  • Page 48 Front-Fold (wings fold 90° forward); 18 Row Planters - Planter Drawing 10:...
  • Page 49 Front-Fold (wings fold 90° forward); 24 Row Planters - Planter Drawing 11:...
  • Page 50 Front-Fold (wings fold 90° forward); 32 Row Planters - Planter Drawing 12:...
  • Page 51 Front-Fold (wings fold 90° forward); 36 Row Planters - Planter Drawing 13:...
  • Page 52 Front-Fold (wings fold 90° forward); 48 Row Planters - Planter Drawing 14:...
  • Page 53: Controller Setup

    SmartBox system. ® One added feature of the SmartBox system is the ability to upload field and user ® information from a personal computer to the controller. Instructions for the additional features are located in Section C.
  • Page 54: Controller Functions

    Controller Functions Row Configuration Row Configuration is used to assign row numbers to each of the meters. This routine is needed at initial system setup or whenever more than one new meter is attached. Note: If you have previously configured all rows and are replacing only one meter, see applicable instructions in Section D.
  • Page 55 Planter Setup Planter Setup is used to record or change the number of planter rows and row spacing. This information is required for calculation of acreage values.
  • Page 56 The SmartBox system will work in either fixed or true speed mode. The meters will ®...
  • Page 57 Speed Input Setup (continued)
  • Page 58: Grouping

    Grouping The Grouping feature is used to select certain meters to be run under a specific group number or name. This function is beneficial when planting point rows or planting along the edge of a field. Those rows which are not needed can be shut off simply by pre-assigning those rows to a group number and indicating which rows will be active and which rows will not be active.
  • Page 59 Grouping (continued)
  • Page 60 OPERATION Once the controller has been setup by inputting the row and the planter configuration, both meters and speed input have been calibrated, and any additional optional information has been input for record keeping, then the system is ready to do its job. The OPERATE mode must be used during application of insecticide.
  • Page 61 Transfer Container 1. Remove rain cover from base container. Store rain cover for use whenever transfer container is not attached to the base container. NOTE: Apply a light dusting of baby powder/talc on the base container seal prior to seating transfer container. This step is necessary to avoid damage to the seals during removal of transfer container.
  • Page 62 Meter Calibration Meter calibration is performed to adjust each meter to release an accurate insecticide rate. The meter calibration routine must be performed on all meters at the beginning of each season. In addition, any time a replacement meter is installed, that row must be re-configured and its new meter calibrated.
  • Page 63 SmartBox Application Rate Table ® Target Catch Passing Catch Range Target Catch Passing Catch Range Used Product Rate (500') (500' cal. Distance) (1,000') (1,000' cal. Distance) ® Counter 6 oz/1000 ft 80.7 - 85 grams 161.5 - 170 grams 3.0 oz/1000 ®...
  • Page 64 *AMVAC Chemical provides calibration assistance and in-field calibration programs to allow you to monitor your application rate. The correct insecticide application rate is the responsibility of the farmer/ operator.
  • Page 65: Smartbox

    SmartBox Calibration Record ® Farmer: _____________________________________ Date: _______________________________________ Address: ____________________________________ City: ________________________________________ Chemical Dealer: _____________________________ Calibrated By: ________________________________ Make and Model of Planter: _________________________________ _______ MPH - Calibration Speed _______ oz/500 ft - Calibration Rate Important: If application speed and application rate differ from the calibrated speed and calibrated rate more than +/-10%, then the system should be recalibrated at desired application speed and applicated rates.
  • Page 66 Smartbox Application Rate Table Note: Always start tractor and idle between 1000-1500 rpm during calibration Meters must be run prior to calibration to warm them up Lbs/ac Lbs/ac Lbs/ac Lbs/ac Controller Calibration Calibration 20" rows = 22" rows 24" rows = 30"...
  • Page 67 The SmartBox system will work in either fixed or true speed mode. The meters will ®...
  • Page 69 Start Normal The OPERATE mode is used during application of insecticide. When ready to ap- ply insecticide, follow the steps in this START NORMAL routine. Make sure that the controller is showing the field number in which you want to collect and store data.
  • Page 70 The following instructions are included in, but are not a complete statement of, the requirements for use of AMVAC’s Aztec 4.67G, a restricted use pesticide. These steps may or may not be applicable to the use of other products which may be available for use in a SmartBox system.
  • Page 71 6. Invert the base container and remove the four ¼” -20 x ¾” bolts attaching the meter to the base container as show in figure 2. The ¼” flat washer shown in figure 2 may have been installed on the meter side of the joint as shown in the original SmartBox ®...
  • Page 72 C. Installation of new meter and / or meter gasket: 1. Install the meter assembly as stated below and in the SmartBox Operator’s Manual ® under “Installation: Meter to Base Container”. a. Position the meter with the 45° meter discharge opening facing forward (pointing toward the short side of the base container and pointing toward the planter tool bar).
  • Page 73 Rows On/Off The Rows On/Off routine is performed to turn individual meters on or off as needed. This function can be used to shut off individual rows during re-calibration, during troubleshooting of the system, or whenever a row will not be used. This function may be used in place of the Grouping function.
  • Page 74 Sensor Enable/Disable...
  • Page 75 Weather Info...
  • Page 76 Start Grouping The OPERATE mode is used during application of insecticide. When ready to apply insecticide, follow the steps in this START GROUPING routine. Make sure the controller is showing the field number and group in which you want to collect and store data. If not, scroll to find the correct field number and or group then push the ENTER button to begin dispensing chemical.
  • Page 77 Area Information...
  • Page 78 2013 SmartBox System Troubleshooting ® Problem Possible Cause Controller Possible Message Solution No communication Power to distribution No communication Check all cable with distribution box connections No communication No power No communication Connect to battery with distribution box or replace fuse...
  • Page 79 Troubleshooting Speed Calibration *Main Menu > System Calibration > Speed Input Problem Possible Cause Controller Possible Solution Message Counts do not show Not connected to Connect to active in calibration mode radar input speed input Counts do not show Speed input set on GPS not compatible in calibration mode or set to radar...
  • Page 80 Meter Catch Test Problem Possible Cause Results Possible Solution Meter catch weight Partially plugged Catch amount light Clean meter incorrect meter Heavy catch weight Meter wear Catch grams above Re-calibrate target weight Meter will not in- Meter partially Catch amount light Clean meter crease out-put when plugged...
  • Page 81 ® plied does not account for row shutoffs. Acres applied does not match planter monitor. ► Is the correct row spacing set in the SmartBox controller for your row width? Go to ® main menu and down to planter set up. Enter on row spacing and adjust as needed.

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