Elston Manufacturing GA-400 User manual
ELSTON
Gopher Getters
Owner’s Manual for GA-400
Another Quality Product of:
Revision E
Updated 2020
ELSTON MANUFACTURING INC.
706 N Weber
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
1-800-845-1385
www.elstonmfg.com
Please Contact Us for Parts and Service:
i
Table of Contents
1Safety Information............................................................................................................................... 1
2General Information ........................................................................................................................... 2
3Assembly Instructions ......................................................................................................................... 3
4Using Your Gopher Getter .................................................................................................................. 8
Initial Setup............................................................................................................................................. 8
1) Setup of Bait Box ..................................................................................................................... 9
2) Depth of Torpedo Tube:............................................................................................................ 9
3) Depth of Coulter Blade........................................................................................................... 10
4) Angle of Torpedo Tube............................................................................................................11
Operating Instructions............................................................................................................................11
Operating Tips................................................................................................................................... 13
5Maintenance...................................................................................................................................... 14
Every use............................................................................................................................................... 14
Every season or 200 lbs. of bait ............................................................................................................ 14
GA-400 Grease Points .......................................................................................................................... 14
6Application Rates for Gopher Getter................................................................................................ 16
Standard Machine Setup ................................................................................................................... 16
Rolled Oats Machine Setup .............................................................................................................. 16
7Parts List………………………………………………………………………………………………………1-1
Safety Information
1
1 Safety Information
The baits used in this machine are highly toxic and can cause serious injury or
death if used improperly. Always follow all precautions on the label for the bait
you use. Store bait as recommended between applications. Do not store bait in the
bait box.
Improper operation of a tractor with an implement can cause serious injury or
death. If you are the least bit unsure of your ability to safely operate a tractor with
an implement, find someone you respect with experience to show you how to
operate a tractor safely.
Please read this manual and all safety stickers on the gopher getter before operating it.
Before continuing, there are several safety ideas that are always worth repeating.
Working for years without an accident is not the same as working safely. - It is possible to do
something unsafe for years and not be hurt. This does not mean it is alright to continue this unsafe
behavior; it just means you have been lucky. For example, a farmer who never had a serious accident
wasn't wearing his safety belt. He rolled his tractor while moving round bales out of a ditch and he
ended up underneath the tractor. Thankfully, in this case, he was only hurt, not killed, thanks to the good
hearing of a neighbor who heard his calls for help. We can agree that is not operating safely. There are
numerous stories of farm injuries with a similar theme. Please take the time to consider all those little
things you do before your luck runs out.
Don't take short cuts with safety when you are in a hurry. - It is tempting to think that just because it
will not take long nothing will go wrong. You might get lucky but then again you might end up as a sad
story in the newspaper. DO NOT take shortcuts.
General Information
2
2 General Information
Thank you for purchasing a Gopher Getter from Elston Manufacturing. We are confident this product
will provide you with years of service.
This gopher getter works by creating an artificial tunnel. The poison is dropped into the tunnel where the
gophers find it and die underground out of reach of other animals. The depth of the tunnel is adjustable
to better match the depth that the gophers are digging in your area.
The gopher getter will apply approximately one pound per acre of Elston gopher getter bait when the
burrows are spaced 25 feet apart. When used with rolled oats and the seeder slide with the larger 7/8”
opening, the application rate will also be slightly less than one pound per acre. These application rates
are an average for the whole field and will be higher for severe infestations. For more exact rates please
refer to the Application Rates for Gopher Getter section on page 16.
We always welcome feedback on our products. If you have
comments, suggestions, or problems with the unit please
contact us at 1-800-845-1385 or email at
Assembly Instructions
3
3 Assembly Instructions
Before beginning assembly, verify that all parts were shipped with the gopher getter. The Gopher Getter
is shipped from the factory in a crate with the four pieces shown in Figure 1. Several of the pieces are of
considerable weigh so please plan accordingly when removing the parts from the crate and assembling
the unit.
Figure 1: Parts of GA-400 as Shipped
Assembly Instructions
4
Inside the bait box you will find a parts kit that includes the parts shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Parts Kit
Label
Description
A
1” UNC 3 1/2” Hex Head Bolt w/ nut and lock washer
B
1/2” UNC 3” Hex Head Bolt (Grade 2) w/ nut and lock washer
C
5/8” UNC 3 1/2” Hex Head Bolt w/ nut and lock washer
D
G5-255 Category 1 Lower Link Pin
E
G4-208A Seeder Slide 7/8” Hole
F
G4-286 Lower Poison Guide Plate
Table 1: Contents of Parts Kit
Assembly Instructions
5
Assembly of the GA400 is very straightforward and requires the installation of only seven bolts. If after
reading the assembly steps below, you have any questions please refer to the parts list in the back of this
manual. It presents much of the information below in a more visual way you may find easier to
understand.
1) Remove the parts from the crate.
Attach the knife/seeder assembly to the frame assembly using the two bolts labeled A and B in
Table 1. Do not over tighten these two bolts. The smaller bolt (B) is designed to shear when the
knife hits an underground obstruction before damage occurs to the gopher getter. When this bolt
shears, the large bolt (A) must be loose enough to allow the knife and the parts attached to it to
pivot. Once assembled it will look like Figure 3. If the legs on frame are pivoted down the unit
will support itself as shown in
Figure 3.
Figure 3: Frame and Seeder/Knife Assembly Mounted Together
Assembly Instructions
7
3) Attach the coulter assembly to the frame. The coulter shank is already attached to the frame and
should be positioned so the shaft on the shank is closest to the front of the frame. Before bolting
the coulter shank to frame, attach the coulter assembly to the coulter shank using the coulter
clamp to hold it in place. If done correctly, the coulter assembly should look like Figure 5.
Figure 5: Coulter Assembly as Installed
Using Your Gopher Getter
8
4 Using Your Gopher Getter
Initial Setup
You have 4 primary adjustments with this machine: the depth of the torpedo tube, the depth of cut of the
coulter, the angle of the torpedo tube, and the setup of the bait box.
The tire pressure should be 25 psi. Add an additional 5 psi for each 100 lbs of weight on frame or down
pressure on hitch up to the maximum pressure on the tire. Do not add more than 500 lbs.
Figure 6: Location of Initial Adjustments
Using Your Gopher Getter
9
1) Setup of Bait Box
Your gopher getter is already setup for use with Elston gopher bait (milo w/0.5% strychnine). If you are
using other types of poison such as oats or cracked corn or products with a lower amount of effective
ingredients, you will need to replace the factory seeder slide with a seeder slide with a larger (7/8”)
opening (Part # G4-208A). One of these can be found in the parts package.
The application rate can also be varied by changing the number of guide plates (see G4-286 in Figure 2).
The number of plates can be varied between 0 and 4 with more plates giving a higher application rate as
shown in Application Rates for Gopher Getter (page 16).
2) Depth of Torpedo Tube:
The depth of the torpedo tube should be set so the gopher getter makes a tunnel at the depth that gophers
tunnel in your area. Since gophers dig at a range of depths even in the same area, aim to set the gopher
getter to the average depth. It is not necessary to be exact.
Figure 7: Adjustment of Torpedo Tube Depth
To set the depth of the torpedo tube:
1) Loosen and remove the bolts attaching the rear (packer) wheels to the gopher getter knife
assembly. See Figure 7 for more details.
2) Move the packer wheels up or down to achieve the desired depth and remove the bolt. Using the
top bolt will set the torpedo tube to a depth of approximately 10” and the bottom bolt to
approximately 6”. The exact depth will depend on the angle of the torpedo tube.
Using Your Gopher Getter
10
3) Depth of Coulter Blade
The best depth is just deep enough to do the job. If it is too deep, it will be more difficult to get the
gopher getter into the ground. If it is too shallow, roots will catch on the knife and tear up the ground as
shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8: Roots catching on knife due to coulter blade set too shallow
When operating in sod or pasture:
Set the coulter just deep enough to cut the upper layer of roots, approximately 4 inches.
When operating in alfalfa:
Set the coulter deeper so that the bottom of the 22” coulter blade is ¼” or more below the bottom
of the torpedo tube as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9: Coulter placement for application in alfalfa
Using Your Gopher Getter
11
The depth of the coulter can be set by loosening the set screw on the coulter clamp and moving the
coulter up or down as necessary. Make sure the coulter will not hit the frame as it runs though the soil
and the hub of the coulter will not run though the dirt.
4) Angle of Torpedo Tube
Dependent upon the tractor that is attached to the Gopher Getter, adjusting either the upper link or the
lower links will control the angle of the torpedo tube. The torpedo tube should be sloping slightly
downward at the operating depth. The exact angle will depend on your soil type and moisture levels but
a downward slope of a couple of degrees is typically best. If the angle is too steep, the gopher getter will
disturb more soil. In addition, at larger angles, the gopher getter fails to effectively get to depth so the
packer wheel will turn and bait will drop. If the torpedo tube gets level or starts to slope upward, soil
may plug up the torpedo tube and prevent any poison from dropping. See Figure 10 for details.
Figure 10: Adjustment of tractor link to control torpedo tube angle
Operating Instructions
The bait used in this machine is highly toxic and can cause serious injury or death
if used improperly. Always follow all precautions on the label for the bait you
use. Store bait as recommended between applications. Do not store bait in the bait
box.
To prevent accidents involving injury or death, do not allow anyone near the
tractor or Gopher Getter while the tractor is in motion. Always follow all safety
instructions provided with the tractor.
Risk of expensive damage and possible injury. Always check for and avoid
underground pipe or other lines in the area you will be working.
Using Your Gopher Getter
12
To avoid extensive damage to your machine,
•Never backup or turn while the machine is in the ground
•Always replace the shear bolt with an identical grade 2 bolt.
•Never over tighten the one inch bolt attaching the knife to the frame or the shear
bolt. They should loosely clamp the knife and allow it to pivot when the shear bolt
fails.
•Always limit your speed to 5 mph or less.
•Avoid large rocks, tree roots, concrete, and culverts whenever possible. Limit
your speed further in areas with these hazards.
•Stop quickly when the shear bolt fails.
•Never add more than 500 lbs. combined of weight and down pressure to the
machine.
Space your treatments 20 to 30 feet apart in straight, parallel lines in areas active with gophers or
bordering areas with high population of gophers that are not treatable (like a neighbors CRP).The
gopher getter will apply approximately one pound per acre of Elston gopher getter bait when the
burrows are spaced 20 to 25 feet apart, as shown in Figure 11. When used with rolled oats and the seeder
slide with the larger 7/8” opening, the application rate will also be approximately 1 lb/acre. These
application rates are the average over a whole field and assume an average infestation that requires
approximately one third of the field to be treated. If the infestation is more severe the application can be
as high as 3 lbs/acre with the factory setup. See page 16 for a table of application rates. The bait will be
most effective if applied when gophers are active but high quality food is scarce. Spring and fall are the
most effective times - especially spring. When you use any type of gopher bait during the summer,
expect reduced control results.
Figure 11: Application distance between application passes
Using Your Gopher Getter
13
As you start and end a pass, smoothly raise and lower the machine with the tractor upper linkage to
minimize damage to the surface of the soil. In an emergency, the gopher getter can be quickly raised but
may disturb a significant amount of soil. To limit damage from erosion, avoid making burrows straight
down the slope of the hill.
This machine works best in moist soil. It is rarely a problem, but if the soil is too wet, it will stick to the
knife and the packer wheels and interfere with the depth setting of the gopher getter. A more common
problem is soil that is too dry. When it is, the machine will be very hard to get into the ground and it will
refill the tunnel (reducing the effectiveness of the bait). Depending on your soil type, you may find the
gopher getter works in a huge range of soil moisture conditions or that it works well in a fairly narrow
range of conditions.
If you have certain types of soil or low soil moisture, the gopher getter may have trouble getting to full
depth (where the packer wheel will turn consistently). First try adjusting the tractor linkage length as
shown in Figure 10. Typically, it works best when the torpedo tube is sloping slightly downward into the
soil (a few degrees). Next, reduce the depth of the coulter to reduce the force required to get the machine
into the ground. If this doesn't fix the problem, you may add weight from 300 to 500 pounds, maximum.
The advice and tips above and below are generalized ones for gopher getter users throughout the
country. For information specific to your area, please speak with the dealer that you purchased the unit
from, your local extension agent, or area farmers that use gopher getters.
Operating Tips
●Never turn or back up with the machine in the ground. This will damage the unit.
●Never over tighten the one inch bolt attaching the knife to the frame. The large bolt must be
loose enough to allow the knife and the parts attached to it to pivot when the shear bolt fails.
●Never over grease the seeder slide. Too much grease will cause bait to build up on the interior
surfaces of the unit when it contacts the bait traveling through the opening in the seeder slide and
cause it to plug.
●Always replace the shear bolt with an identical grade 2 bolt. A higher grade bolt like a grade
5 will greatly increase the risk of expensive damage to the frame when you hit a large
obstruction.
●Always check that there are no underground pipes or other lines in the area you will be working.
There is nothing worse to hit with your gopher getter. (Yes, it’s happened.)
●Always start slow especially if you’re new to the gopher getter or operating in an unfamiliar
field. At no point should you go faster than 5 mph. In some conditions, especially hard or rocky
ground, it will be necessary to limit your speed further.
●Always stop quickly when the shear bolt fails. If you are moving quickly and/or the obstruction
that you hit is especially tenacious like a tree root or an oddly shaped rock, the tip can catch long
enough for the bait box to pivot around and damage itself on the frame.
Maintenance
14
5 Maintenance
Every use
Inspect torpedo tube/point for excessive wear or damage
Inspect shear bolt for damage, replace if necessary
Every season or 200 lbs. of bait
Check if the unit needs to be greased. If so, lightly grease the unit at the grease points on the seeder
casting, see Figure 12, and on the coulter hub, see Figure 13. Be careful not to over grease the seeder
casting.
Replace any safety decals that are no longer readable.
GA-400 Grease Points
Figure 12: Seeder Casting Grease Points
Application Rates for Gopher Getter
16
6 Application Rates for Gopher Getter
Standard Machine Setup
Seeder Slide Used: Standard 5/8” (G4-208)
Bait Used: Gopher Getter Bait (Milo based)
Burrow Spacing (feet)
20
25
30
No Plate
2.0 lbs/acre
1.6 lbs/acre
1.3 lbs/acre
1 Plate
2.7 lbs/acre
2.1 lbs/acre
1.8 lbs/acre
2 Plates
4.3 lbs/acre
3.4 lbs/acre
2.8 lbs/acre
3 Plates
5.9 lbs/acre
4.7 lbs/acre
3.9 lbs/acre
Rolled Oats Machine Setup
Seeder Slide Used: Oversize 7/8” (G4-208A)
Bait Used: Rolled Oats-based bait
Burrow Spacing (feet)
20
25
30
1 Plate
2.2 lbs/acre
1.6 lbs/acre
1.5 lbs/acre
2 Plates
2.7 lbs/acre
2.1 lbs/acre
1.8 lbs/acre
3 Plates
3.6 lbs/acre
2.9 lbs/acre
2.4 lbs/acre
4 Plates
4.4 lbs/acre
3.6 lbs/acre
3.0 lbs/acre
When counting plates, only plates with long slots count toward the total. Long slots are those longer
than the slots in the bottom of the bait box.
1
2
3
4
5
Assemblies
Ref # Name Page #
1Knife Assembly 1-2
2Coulter Assembly 1-3
3Seeder Assembly 1-4
4Packer Wheel Assembly 1-5
5Frame Assembly 1-6
Common Parts
Name Part # Page #
Torpedo Point G1-105 1-2
Coulter Blade - 18" G2-370 1-3
Tire G3-125 1-5
Tripper G4-269 1-4
Knife Assembly
(Complete) G1-100 1-2
1-1
Parts List for GA-400 Complete Unit
Parts List for GA-500 begins on Page 2-1
Please Call Elston Manufacturing for information on purchasing gopher bait (poison).
Table of contents
Other Elston Manufacturing Farm Equipment manuals
