Almaco SeedBoss User manual

SeedBoss Grader
Operators Manual
MOT0506091
99 MAVE,PO BOX 296 PHONE [phone]
NEVADA,IA 50201-1549 FAX [phone]
USA BEEPER [phone]
www.almaco.com

A-1
SECTION A
FORWARD

A-2
FORWARD
TO THE PURCHASER:
We at ALMACO wish to extend to each customer our thanks and congratulations
for your selection of one of our grader SEEDBOSS to be included in your lab
operation inventory.
We believe that our grader SEEDBOSS offers outstanding performance along
with a very gentle grading action.
Each ALMACO grader is hand-assembled by our skilled craftsmen from durable
premium-grade materials to rigid production standards.
The result of our efforts and years of development with practicing agronomists
has been a “laboratory instrument” capable of volume production.
You and your company have joined the ever-growing group of agricultural
researchers using ALMACO products.
Please read the information contained within the operator’s manual carefully
before operating your machine.
Respectfully,
Gary W. Clem
President

A-3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORWARD.......................................................................................SECTION A
FORWARD .............................................................................................................A-2
TABLE OF CONTENTS..........................................................................................A-3
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................A-4
MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY..........................................................................A-5
SAFETY ..........................................................................................SECTION B
GENERAL SAFETY................................................................................................B-2
GRADER DECALS.................................................................................................B-3
OPERATION....................................................................................SECTION C
GRADER OPERATION ..........................................................................................C-2
CHANGING SCREENS..........................................................................................C-3
ADJUSTMENTS .....................................................................................................C-3
MAINTENANCE......................................................................................................C-6
GRADER WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS.................................................................C-6
TROUBLESHOOTING............................................................................................C-7
GRADER DRAWINGS.....................................................................SECTION D
PARTS IDENTIFICATION DRAWINGS..................................................................D-1

A-4
INTRODUCTION
Read this manual carefully to familiarize yourself with all aspects of operation
and service of your machine. It is important that all operators are properly
trained. This manual contains safety information that can prevent personal injury
or equipment damage.
This manual is a permanent part of the machine and should remain with the
machine for reference, service, and resale.
Record keeping is an important part of machine operation. This information will
help when ordering replacement parts and identifying your grader during service
calls.
All specifications, diagrams, and drawings in this manual are based on the latest
information at printing time. ALMACO reserves the right to make changes at any
time without notice.
Please contact an ALMACO representative if you have any questions about:
- Material in this manual (MOT0506091),
ALMACO
99 M Ave.
PO Box 296
Nevada, IA 50201-1549
USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Beeper: [phone]
Web Page: www.almaco.com
E-Mail:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

A-5
MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY
We guarantee each ALMACO SEEDBOSS grader to be free from defects in
material and workmanship for one year from date of shipment from the factory.
Our obligation under this warranty is limited to the replacement or the repair at our
Nevada, Iowa factory of such part as shall appear to us, upon inspection, to have
been defective in material or workmanship.
This warranty does not obligate us to bear the cost of labor or any transportation
charges in connection with the replacement or repair of the defective parts, nor
shall it apply to any part upon which repairs or alterations have been made unless
authorized by us.
We make no warranty in respect to trade accessories furnished on ALMACO
products, such accessories being subject to the warranties of their respective
manufacturer.
We shall in no event be liable for consequential damages or contingent liabilities
arising out of the failure of any part to operate properly, or the operator’s failure to
take proper safety precautions in the operation of this equipment.
NOTICE:
Do not attempt to make repairs to any part of this equipment found
to be defective. Any such repairs made to any part without written
authorization from the manufacturer will void this warranty.
The manufacturer reserves the right to modify, alter, and improve future models of
the ALMACO grader, without incurring any obligation to replace any products or
parts previously sold without such modified, altered or improved product or part.
Model No. ________________________
Serial No. ________________________
Date Shipped. ________________________
Note: The model and serial #’s should be located to the left of the electrical
panel.

SAFETY B-1
SECTION B
SAFETY

SAFETY B-2
General Safety
Every year, many accidents occur which could have been avoided by a few seconds of thought
and a safer approach to handling research equipment.
Designers build in as many safety features as possible, such as safety shields for bearing and
other moving parts, but the designer cannot guarantee safety. Safety is up to the operator. These
general safety precautions and the safety decals on the machine are intended to help avoid
accidents and create a safe working environment.
- Be aware of pinch points when operating the grader
- Turn off the machine before making any repairs or adjustments

SAFETY
B-3
GENERAL SAFETY
RECOGNIZE SAFETY INFORMATION
This is the safety-alert symbol. When
you see this symbol on your machine or
in this manual, be alert to the
potential for personal injury.
Follow recommended precautions and safe
operating practices.
FOLLOW SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Carefully read all safety messages in
this manual and safety decals on your
machine. Keep all decals in good
condition and replace any that are
missing or damaged. New decals are
available from ALMACO, refer to Safety
Decal Locations later in this section
for ordering information. Be sure new
equipment, components and repair parts
display all required safety decals.
UNDERSTAND SIGNAL WORDS
DANGER: Indicates an imminently
hazardous situation that, if not
avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
WARNING: Indicates a potentially
hazardous situation that, if not
avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.
CAUTION: Indicates a potentially
hazardous situation that, if not
avoided, may result in minor or
moderate injury

SAFETY
B-4
PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES
Be prepared if a fire starts.
Keep a fire extinguisher and a first
aid kit handy. Make sure the
extinguisher is properly charged and in
working order.
Keep emergency numbers for doctors,
ambulance service, hospital and fire
department near your telephone.
WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Wear close fitting clothing and safety
equipment appropriate to the job.
Hearing protection is required for all
operators.
Operating equipment safely requires the
full attention of the operator. Do not
wear radio or music headphones while
operating machine.
PRACTICE SAFE MAINTENANCE
Keep service area clean and dry.
Remove any buildup of grease, oil, or
debris.
Never lubricate or service machine
while it is running. Keep your machine
in proper working condition. Fix any
damage immediately. Replace worn or
broken parts. Unauthorized
modifications to the machine may impair
the function and/or safety and affect
machine life.

SAFETY
B-5
Located next to the start/stop switch
Located on end of machine, on guard near orbital motor assembly

SAFETY
B-6
Located on three corners of the grader deck; (3) total decals

OPERATION
C-1
SECTION C
OPERATION

OPERATION
C-2
Operation
Grader Intro
The ALMACO SEEDBOSS grader utilizes an orbital motion to gently move the
grain across two sift screens and one scalp screen. The grader provides
excellent clean out capability with no carryover between samples. The grader
runs on 110v power but can be configured at the factory to run on 220v single
phase, 50 or 60 Hz. ALMACO manufacturers the screens at our factory, we
have a wide selection of screens and can custom made screens by request.
Grader Operation
Prior to operation: make sure that all guards are correctly installed on the
machine, doors and covers are secure.
1. Plug the grader into an electrical outlet and make sure the red E-stop
button is pulled out.
2. Press the start switch, to begin grader operation; this will start the orbital
motion of the top section of the grader.
3. Place batch samples in the feed pan, you can do this manually or via a
seed transfer system.
4. Grain sample moves across the sift and scalp screens; items falling
through the sift screen and over the scalp screen are considered discard
material.
5. Grain dropping through the scalp screen is considered good seed and can
be caught manually or dropped into a seed transfer system.
6. To shut off the grader press the red stop button.
Start/Stop Switch Grader: showing top screens and side guards

OPERATION
C-3
Changing Screens
The screens can be changed by loosing the four bolts on each side of the screen
and removing the slotted metal screen keeper and Plexiglas shield on each side.
Next remove the three screws on the bottom of the screen and loosen the 3
screws at the top of the screen. The screen is slotted on the top so you can
remove the old screen and insert the new screen without removing the top
screws. Once the new screen is in place you can tighten the screen screws and
replaced the keeper and Plexiglas shield and tighten the screws.
Scalp screen
Adjust Angle of Grader Deck
You can adjust the angle of the grader deck to increase or decrease the
throughput of the grain. Once you have adjusted the angle, you may also need
to adjust the angle of the good seed spout located underneath the machine.
Check the seed tube going to a seed transport venturi and adjust if needed.
Deck adjustment holes

OPERATION
C-4
Adjust feed chute
You adjust the feed rate that grain enters the grader screens by adjusting the
gate on the feed pan. Adjust the gate height by loosing the wing nuts on each
side of the gate, moving the gate to the desired setting and re-tighten.
Feed chute and wing nut

OPERATION
C-5
Options
- You can select from a number of screen options for both sift and scalp
screens
- The grader can be configured at the factory for 110v or 220v, 50 or 60
Hertz
- The grader can be configured at the factory to have the discard streams
either merged together for easier disposal or kept separate
- We manufacture an aspirated hopper (pictured below) which can be
installed either as seed comes into or out of the machine to clean loose
particles from the sample

OPERATION
C-6
Grader Maintenance
Daily - Check for loose bolts, debris hang-up, excessive wear, etc
Every 50 hours
- Check V-belt tension, belts should be firm and snug. ¼” deflection
maximum
Every 1000 hours
- Grease bearings with 0.15 oz of grease. There are three bearings
to grease; you will need to remove the orbital gear guard to access
the grease zerks.
Guard on Guard Off
Weight and Dimensions
Weight: 340 lbs
Length: 72”
Width: 26”
Height: 40”
Decibels
Decibel level (A): 84 dB, machine is running but not grading
Decibel level (C): 85 dB, machine is running but not grading

OPERATION
C-7
Troubleshooting section
1. Grader does not turn on
- Check power cord and make sure it is plugged in
- Make sure E-stops are pulled out
- Make sure fuse located on the on/off switch is not blown
2. Four legs of grader do not all touch the floor
- Each leg can be adjusted up/down individually
Call Almaco support should any problem persist or you cannot resolve.
ALMACO
99 M Ave.
PO Box 296
Nevada, IA 50201-1549
USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Beeper: [phone]
Web Page: www.almaco.com
E-Mail:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Grader Maintenance
Maintenance Description Frequency Date Checked
Check for loose bolts, debris hang-up, excessive wear, etc Daily
Check V-belt tension, belts should be firm and snug. 1/4" deflection maximum. 50 hours
Grease bearing, 0.15 oz of grease 1000 hours
Motor is maintenance free for 10 years