Summary of Contents for McConnel SEEDAERATOR
- Page 1 SEEDAERATOR Publication 740 March 2014 Part No. 22675.40 Linkage Mounted Seed Drill Revised: 24.07.15 For use in conjunction with the Artemis Lite Controls Manual (Publication 741) Operator Manual...
- Page 2 VERIFICATION OF WARRANTY REGISTRATION DEALER WARRANTY INFORMATION & REGISTRATION VERIFICATION It is imperative that the selling dealer registers this machine with McConnel Limited before delivery to the end user – failure to do so may affect the validity of the machine warranty.
- Page 4 1500 hours. Engine warranty will be specific to the Manufacturer of that unit. 1.02. All spare parts supplied by McConnel Ltd and purchased by the end user are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship from the date of sale to the original purchaser for a period of 6 months.
- Page 5 2.02. Any fault must be reported to an authorised McConnel Ltd dealer as soon as it occurs. Continued use of a machine, after a fault has occurred, can result in further component failure for which McConnel Ltd cannot be held liable.
- Page 6 MISCELLANEOUS 4.01. McConnel Ltd may waive compliance with any of the terms of this limited warranty, but no waiver of any terms shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other term. 4.02. If any provision of this limited warranty shall violate any applicable law and is held to be unenforceable, then the invalidity of such provision shall not invalidate any other provisions herein.
- Page 7 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Conforming to EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC McCONNEL LIMITED, Temeside Works, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1JL, UK Hereby declare that: The Product; Tractor Mounted Seed Drill Product Code; DRIL Serial No. & Date ………………………………… Type ………………………… Manufactured in; United Kingdom Complies with the required provisions of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC The machinery directive is supported by the following harmonized standards;...
- Page 8 Shropshire England Telephone: +44 (0)1584 873131 www.mcconnel.com - NOISE STATEMENT - The equivalent daily personal noise exposure from this machine measured at the operators’ ear is within the range 78 – 85 dB, these figures apply to a normal distribution of use where the noise fluctuates between zero and maximum.
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Page 10: Table Of Contents
LIST OF CONTENTS General Information Features Introduction Technical data Component Identification Safety Information Safety Decals Tractor Requirements Machine Attachment Auto-Reset Leg Supports Auto-Reset Leg Charging Procedure Stand Legs Levelling the Machine Hopper Access Platform Hopper & Hopper Extension Kit Sensor Switch Radar Sensor Leading Tine Legs Wheels, Tyres &... -
Page 11: General Information
GENERAL INFORMATION Read this manual before fitting or operating the machine. Whenever any doubt exists contact your dealer or the McConnel Service Department for assistance. Use only ‘McConnel Genuine Parts’ on McConnel equipment and machinery DEFINITIONS - The following definitions apply throughout this manual: WARNING: An operating procedure, technique etc., which –... -
Page 12: Features
FEATURES Seedaerator 3-point Linkage Mounted 3.0M Working Width 9 Sowing Bands ‘A’ Share Tine Coulters (175mm Sowing Band Width) Depth Adjustable Leading Tines (100 - 300mm) Tines Safety Break-back System Large Diameter Consolidating Wheels with Pneumatic Tyres ... -
Page 13: Introduction
The Seedaerator has been developed for both farmers and contractors who are looking to reap the benefits of strip till drilling with improved soil structure, lower operating costs to deliver sustainable intensive farming without damaging the environment. -
Page 14: Technical Data
TECHNICAL DATA Machine Specifications 3.0m Working Width 3-point linkage Mounting Type 9 bands / 333mm spacing Number of Seed Bands / Spacing Winged Point or Low Disturbance Leading Leg Options 100 – 300mm in 50mm increments (*) Leading Leg Working Depth Standard Large Diameter Press Wheels Standard, Double Shot or Bean... -
Page 15: Component Identification
MAIN COMPONENTS - LOCATION & IDENTIFICATION A. Main Frame Front View B. Hopper C. Access Platform D. Safety Rail E. Platform Ladder (Stowed) F. Support Legs (Stowed) G. Bout Marker Arm H. Bout Marker Ram I. Bout Marker J. Bout Marker Support Wheel Rear View K. -
Page 16: Safety Information
SAFETY SECTION This machine has the potential to be extremely dangerous, it is therefore imperative that both owner and operator of the machine reads and understands the following section to ensure they are fully aware of the dangers that do, or may exist, and their responsibilities surrounding the use and operation of the machine. -
Page 17: Safety Decals
SAFETY DECALS The following safety decals are displayed on the machine; these decals should be kept in a readable condition at all times and replaced immediately if damaged or missing. 1. DANGER - Unsupported Machine Danger. 2. DANGER - Keep Out Zone. 3. -
Page 18: Machine Attachment
MACHINE ATTACHMENT Attachment of the machine should be performed on a safe firm level site. Ensure all bystanders are at a safe distance from the machine and tractor. Ballasting for Stability It is imperative when attaching ‘third-party’ equipment to a vehicle that maximum possible stability of the machine and vehicle combination is achieved;... -
Page 19: Auto-Reset Leg Supports
SHIPPING / STORAGE LEG SUPPORTS (Auto-Reset Models only) Auto-reset machines are fitted with shipping/storage supports to the four front legs; these must be removed prior to using the machine. It is recommended that the supports are refitted for machine storage to ensure the unit is stored in a safe stable condition. The machine must be raised and suitably supported before attempting to remove the supports;... -
Page 20: Stand Legs
STAND LEGS The machine is equipped with 2 stand legs; these are primarily for supporting the machine when it is either ‘parked up’ or in storage. In addition to the instances mentioned above, the machine should also be placed onto its stand legs before attempting to make adjustments to any components or when performing maintenance tasks. -
Page 21: Levelling The Machine
LEVELLING THE MACHINE For efficient and accurate operation the machine must be correctly levelled for work. Transverse levelling (side to side) should be performed on firm level site during the machine’s initial attachment to the tractor. Longitudinal levelling (front to rear) is performed on the work site once the machine has been drawn into the ground to its working depth. -
Page 22: Hopper Access Platform
HOPPER ACCESS PLATFORM The machine is equipped with fold down steps and fixed platform to provide the operator with a safe means of access to the hopper unit for filling or maintenance. The steps should be folded up and secured in position at all times other than during hopper access; never attempt to transport or operate the machine with the steps in their lowered position, this will risk damage to components. -
Page 23: Hopper & Hopper Extension Kit
HOPPER & HOPPER EXTENSION KIT The seed hopper is mounted on the top of the machine and has a capacity of 850 litres which equates to approximately 600kg of wheat seed. When filling the hopper with the required seed the machine should be parked on firm level ground and both machine and tractor must be switched off and the starting key removed. -
Page 24: Sensor Switch
SENSOR SWITCH (Metering Unit Activation / De-activation) Activation and de-activation of the metering unit during operation is jointly controlled by two automatic control devices; a physical sensor switch and a radar movement sensor. Metering Unit Sensor Switch The metering unit sensor switch is located on the upper main frame adjacent to the machines top link mounting point;... -
Page 25: Radar Sensor
RADAR SENSOR TGSS Radar Sensor (True Ground Speed Sensor) The radar sensor is located on lower main frame in a forward pointing position where its beam is free to receive a clear uninterrupted view of the ground. The function of the radar is to provide the control unit with an accurate forward speed signal in order to determine the motor speed requirement of the metering unit. -
Page 26: Leading Tine Legs
LEADING TINE LEGS The machine features 9 tine legs mounted in staggered rows at the front of the machine; these are specifically designed to cultivate the seed root zone prior to the planting process whilst leaving the soil structure between the bands relatively undisturbed. The leg tines are all working depth adjustable and depending on the particular model either shearbolt or auto-reset protected. - Page 27 Tine Working Depth The working depth of the tines is adjustable in 50mm increments from a minimum depth of 100mm to a maximum depth of 300mm. The working depth required will vary depending on the specifics of the task in hand and will be mainly influenced by seed type, local conditions and personal preference.
- Page 28 AUTO-RESET LEGS Depth Adjustment – Raising Tine Depth Adjustment – Lowering Tine...
- Page 29 Leg Working Depths Low Disturbance Tine Winged Tine...
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Page 30: Wheels, Tyres & Scrapers
WHEELS, TYRES & SCRAPERS Wheels & Tyres The large wheels on the machine are fitted with pneumatic cleated tyres designed to firm and till the soil; the design of the machine requires the tyres to be fitted to the wheels with the ‘V’... -
Page 31: Seed Coulters
SEED COULTERS The machine has 9 coulters mounted over 2 rows and are designed to place the seed in a 150mm wide band consistently at the pre-determined working depth. The working depth of the coulters can be adjusted in 12.5mm increments from a minimum of 25mm to a maximum 150mm;... -
Page 32: Press Wheels
PRESS WHEELS Press wheels are located directly behind each of the coulter legs and form an integral part of the coulter assembly – these wheels perform a dual function; firstly they ensures that the working tools consistently remain in the ground at their pre-set working depth, and secondly, they compress the cultivated soil back into place after the seeds have been placed in the ground by their respective coulters. -
Page 33: Bout Markers
BOUT MARKERS The Seedaerator is equipped with ‘bout’ markers on each side of the machine; these are devices for creating a tramline mark on the ground on each pass in order to provide a driving guide for the subsequent pass. - Page 34 Working with Bout Marker CAUTION! Always ensure the machine is raised clear of the ground before attempting to turn the tractor. Ensure there is sufficient space each side of the machine before attempting to swap over the bout markers.
- Page 35 Bout Marker Width Setting For accurate positioning of the tramlines the bout tines must be positioned an exact distance from the outermost row of tools on the same side of the machine, the following measurements are required to calculate this distance; Measure the machines total working width (the distance between the centres of the 2 outermost tools –...
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Page 36: Rear Harrow
REAR HARROW The rear harrow features two types of adjustments as shown in the illustrations below; A) ‘In Work’ (lower position) or ‘Out of Work’ (raised position) B) Adjustable angle setting... -
Page 37: Blower Fan
FAN SPEED (FLOW CONTROL) Fan Speed When operating the machine the fan speed will be displayed on the main screen of the control unit; fan speed for machine operation is up to 4400RPM. Fan Speed Control A flow valve is fitted to the machine for adjusting the fan speed when the machine is used with a tractor that does not feature a flow control facility. -
Page 38: Seed Distribution System
SEED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM System Overview The seed distribution system delivers the seed from the storage hopper via a metering unit to the coulters. The main components of the system consist of a hydraulically driven fan located adjacent to the hopper and a distribution unit mounted above the coulters. The ‘measured’... -
Page 39: Drop Box
DROP BOX The drop box is attached to the exit side of the metering unit where it receives the deposits of measured seed and guides it directly into the air stream created by the blower unit; the air stream carries the seed onwards to the distribution unit that subsequently feeds the individual coulters. -
Page 40: Metering Unit
METERING UNIT Metering Unit Components Metering Unit Calibration Prior to operation a metered sample of the seed being used must be taken from the drop unit to check that the machine is measuring out the correct amount of seed for the desired seed rate;... - Page 41 4. Check that correct gear is selected; fine or normal seed. High gear is with the red cog in the closed position; located inside the larger cog on the same driveshaft – see opposite ► NOTE: Low gear (red cog in open position) is usually required for fine seed planting.
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Page 42: Operation
Pre-Operation With the Seedaerator located at the work site and the seed system correctly prepared and calibrated as previously outlined, the machine must be longitudinally levelled to ensure that both rows of leading legs and both rows of seed coulters (respectively) are levelled for accurate and uniform cultivation and planting;... -
Page 43: Maintenance & Storage
MAINTENANCE WARNING! Suitable safety clothing including safety glasses, gloves and masks should be worn when cleaning or servicing the machine and all tasks should be performed in a safe well ventilated area. WARNING! Ensure stand legs are fitted in their support position and wheels are chocked when servicing or maintaining the machine. - Page 44 TORQUE SETTINGS FOR FASTENERS The Chart below lists the correct tightening torque for fasteners. The Chart should be referred to when tightening or replacing bolts in order to determine the grade of bolt and the correct torque unless specific torque values are assigned in the text of the manual. Recommended torque is quoted in Foot-Pounds and Newton-Metres within this manual.
- Page 46 McConnel Limited, Temeside Works, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1JL. England. Telephone: 01584 873131. Facsimile: 01584 876463. www.mcconnel.com...