Elston Manufacturing GA-700H User manual

Gopher Getters
ELSTON MANUFACTURING INC.
706 N Weber
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
1-800-845-1385
www.elstonmfg.com
GA-700H OWNER'S MANUAL
UPDATED 2021
REV K

i
Table of Contents
1Safety Information............................................................................................................................... 1
2General Information ........................................................................................................................... 2
3Assembly Instructions ......................................................................................................................... 3
4Using Your Gopher Getter .................................................................................................................. 9
Attaching Gopher Getter to Tractor .................................................................................................... 9
Setting Up Seeder Assembly............................................................................................................... 9
Adjusting Rate Bait is Deposited...................................................................................................... 10
Adjusting Depth Bait is Deposited ................................................................................................... 10
Adjusting Depth of Coulter................................................................................................................11
Operating Instructions........................................................................................................................... 12
Operating Tips................................................................................................................................... 15
Additional Information ..................................................................................................................... 15
5Maintenance...................................................................................................................................... 16
Every use............................................................................................................................................... 16
Every season or 200 lbs. of bait ............................................................................................................ 16
GA-700 Grease Points .......................................................................................................................... 16
6Parts List………………………………………………………………………………………………………G1

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 2 lbs/acre of Elston Gopher Getter Bait when the burrows
are spaced 20 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 2 lbs/acre. These application rates are an average for
the whole field and will be higher for severe infestations.
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
[email protected].

Assembly Instructions
3
3 Assembly Instructions
Before beginning assembly, please verify that all parts were shipped with the Gopher Getter. The Gopher
Getter is shipped from the factory in the 5 pieces shown in Figure 1. Several of these pieces are of
significant weight so please plan accordingly when removing the parts from the crate and assembling the
unit.
Figure 1: Parts of GA-700 as Shipped
Inside the bait box you will find a parts kit that includes the parts shown in Figure 2.
Label
Description
1
GA-700 Base Assembly
2
Plastic Bait Box
3
Coulter Shank
4
Coulter Blade
5
Coulter Arm

Assembly Instructions
4
Figure 2: Parts Kit
Label
Qty
Description
A
2
Coulter Shank Clamps (G7-208)
B
2
3/8” UNF Bolt for G7-208
C
4
2 1/2” 1/2”-13 Hex Head Bolts
D
4
1/2” Split Ring Lock Washers
E
4
1/2” Flat Washers
F
4
1/2”-13 Hex Nuts
G
2
Seeder Slides w/ Pin (G7-413)
H
4
Seeder Slide Springs (G7-429)
I
1
Retaining Strap for Coulter Bearing Cap
J
1
Parts Bag for Coulter Assembly
(4 carriage bolts, 4 lock washers, 4 nuts, 1 square head bolt, 1 roll
pin, and 1 cotter pin)
K
1
Coulter Shank Casting
L
4
3/8” Serrated Flanged Hex Nuts
Table 1: Contents of Parts Kit

Assembly Instructions
5
Assembly of the GA-700 is straightforward and all of the parts attach to the base assembly, part #1
shown in Figure 1. After reading the assembly steps below, please refer to the parts list in the back of
this manual if you have any questions. It presents much of the information below in a visual manner that
you may find easier to understand.
1. Install the legs to the base assembly if not already installed.
If the legs are already installed, slide and lock them into position to hold the Gopher Getter upright.
When the legs are in position, the GA-700 will look as pictured in Figure 3.
Figure 3: GA-700 Base Assembly with Legs
2. Attach the seeder slides and bait box to the base assembly.
From the parts package, you will need the 2 seeder slides (labeled L in Figure 2), 4 springs (labeled K),
and 4 serrated, flanged hex nuts (labeled J). You will also need the bait box.
a) Install the four springs to the attachment points on the seeder assembly. These attachment
points are found just behind the clear hoses that deliver the bait to the seeder tube.

Assembly Instructions
6
Figure 4: Seeder Assembly Area on GA-700
b) Next place the seeder slides in the shallow slots they run in on the seeder assembly (see Figure
4). The side of the seeder slide with the larger flange and the two holes should be closer to the
front of the machine.
c) Place the bait box on top of seeder slides. The bait box should face towards the front of the
machine as shown in Figure 5 and be secured with the four hex nuts.
Figure 5: Inside of Plastic Bait Box

Assembly Instructions
7
d) Attach the other side of the springs installed in step 2a to the holes on the seeder slides. Once
the step is done, the unit should look like it does in Figure 6.
Figure 6: Finished Seeder Assembly
3. Attach the coulter assembly to the frame
For this step, you will need the coulter shank, the coulter blade, the coulter arm, the coulter assembly
parts bag, and all the remaining parts in the parts bag.
a) Install the roll pin in the coulter assembly parts bag into the hole on one end of the coulter
shank.
b) Mount the parts that clamp the coulter shank to the frame. You will need the 2 coulter shank
clamps, 2 square head bolts, and 4 bolts, washers, lock washers, and nuts. These parts should
be assembled as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7: Assembled Coulter Shank

Assembly Instructions
8
c) Slide the coulter shank into position as shown in Figure 8. Clamp the coulter shank in place
by tightening each of the bolts a little at a time until the coulter shank is secured in place.
d) Attach the coulter arm to the coulter shank using the coulter clamp to hold it in place. Add
the cotter pin to the hole in the bottom of the coulter shank. This pin will retain the coulter
arm if the bolt on the coulter clamp casting becomes loose.
Figure 8: Coulter Arm Mounted on Coulter Shank
e) Bolt the coulter blade to the coulter arm. Adjust the height of the coulter blade so the bottom
of the blade is aligned with the top of the torpedo tube. If the center line of the coulter blade
is not aligned with the center of the knife, loosen the coulter shank clamps and reposition
them to move them into alignment. Position the coulter clamp so the coulter is free to swing
around an arc centered on the knife and torpedo tube. Assembly of the coulter assembly is
now complete and should appear similar to that shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9: Completed Coulter Assembly

Assembly Instructions
9
Your GA-700 Gopher Getter is now assembled. Refer to the next chapter for additional tips and
instructions for adjusting the machine before its first use.
4 Using Your Gopher Getter
Attaching Gopher Getter to Tractor
This machine was designed to attach to a category one or category two 3-point hitch. The category two
hitch pins are located on the outside of the 3-point framework and the category one hitch pins are
located on the inside. The top link or the 3-point will need to be connected and adjusted so the torpedo
tube operates at a slight slope when being pulled through the ground at depth with the front point being
slightly lower than the back of the tube. An example of attaching to a category two tractor is shown in
Figure 10.
Figure 10: GA-700 Attachment to a Category 2 Three Point Hitch
Setting Up Seeder Assembly
This machine was originally designed to allow two different baits to be deposited at the same time with
a dual bait seeder mechanism. The original, steel bait box had a steel divider plate in the center of the
box to allow for two different baits. The new, hardened plastic bait box cannot deposit two different
baits unless modifications are made to the plastic bait box to create a divider plate similar to the one
installed in the original steel bait box. To deposit two different baits, simply fill one half of the bait box
with one bait and the other half with the other choice of bait. The seeder mechanism automatically
alternates from side to side to prevent the two baits from being dropped on top of each other. If you'd
like to only use one type of bait, simply fill both sides of the bait box or just remove the divider plate.
If applying Elston supplied Gopher Bait, which typically is a strychnine based bait on milo sorghum
grain, no spacer plate should be used. If other types of bait are used, first check that the bait fits in the
slot for the seeder slide (between the seeder base and the seeder box). If it does not, add one or two
spacer plates until the gap is large enough to fit most pieces of the bait. If this is not done, the bait will
be significantly ground up and some parts in the seeder assembly wear much quicker than normal.

Using Your Gopher Getter
10
Adjusting Rate Bait is Deposited
The bait application rate of the GA-700 is adjusted by moving the bait box and seeder slide base
backwards and forwards. One of the trippers located on the seeder drive axle may also be removed to
allow even less bait to be dropped. The seeder base, as shown in Figure 11, is attached to its mounting
bracket with 4 bolts and sliding it backwards (toward the packer wheel) will increase the bait application
rate. When applying Elston gopher bait, it should be adjusted so that the maximum opening of the hole
in the seeder slide is 1/2” (approximately 3/4 of the way toward the back) for an application rate of
approximately 2 lbs/acre with 20 feet between passes. For other types of bait, consult with the bait
dealer for recommended setup. If they do not have any recommendations, start with a maximum opening
in the seeder slide of approximately 1/2” and the number of spacer plates recommended in the section
above and measure the actual application rate. Adjust the application rate by shifting the seeder base
backward and forwards and potentially increase it by adding spacer plates (up to a total of 3). If you are
still unable to achieve the application rate you need, please contact us at Elston Manufacturing at 1-800-
845-1385.
Figure 11: Adjusting Rate of Bait Application
Adjusting Depth Bait is Deposited
The packer wheel determines how deep the torpedo tube or burrow builder travels through the ground.
The depth of the torpedo tube should match the depth of the gopher’s natural burrows in your area. This
can be determined by locating and digging up one of their main runways to see how deep they are
actively working and adjusting the packer wheel accordingly. It is not necessary that the depth of the
torpedo tube be exact; only that it is close enough to intercept the gopher’s main runways. The depth
adjustments are made with the two threaded rods located on either side of the knife assembly. When
standing behind the machine and facing the machine, the rod on the right side locks the wheel in place
once the decided position is set and the rod on the left side adjusts the packer wheel. To adjust the wheel,
loosen the two nuts on both rods that lock the adjustments in place. When the wheel is set in place, spin
the two nuts back in position and tighten to lock the wheel in place. Figure 12 shows a depiction of this
adjustment.

Using Your Gopher Getter
11
Figure 12: Packer Wheel Adjustment
Adjusting Depth of Coulter
This machine is provided with a spring-loaded coulter assembly mounted on a straight shaft to allow for
a wide range of adjustments in depth. Generally, the coulter should be set just deep enough so that the
blade cuts through the debris on the surface and the major roots below the surface so that the knife
passes cleanly through the soil. If not, the knife will catch on the uncut roots and rip the vegetation out
of the ground, typically resulting in blockage similar to that shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13: Roots catching on knife due to coulter blade set too shallow

Using Your Gopher Getter
12
In areas such as pasture:
Tunnel depth of approximately 4 to 5 inches is recommended
In alfalfa fields:
Adjust the coulter as deep as possible while keeping the bottom of the coulter blade at minimum
¼” or so below the bottom edge of the torpedo tube as shown in Figure 14.
Figure 14: Coulter blade depth for treatments in alfalfa
Depending on your exact conditions, the depth may need to be varied somewhat from these
recommendations.
To adjust the depth of the coulter blade, loosen the bolt on the coulter clamp and slide the coulter up or
down on the coulter shank. Lock the coulter clamp when the desired position is found. For larger
adjustments, the bolts that hold the coulter shank to the front of the machine may also be loosened and
the shank slid up or down for further adjustments. Tighten the square headed bolts just tight enough to
hold the shank in position for normal operation (no more than 40 ft-lbf). Over-tightening these bolts will
likely cause one of them to fail when the coulter springs back after an impact with a rock or other
obstruction.
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.

Using Your Gopher Getter
13
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.
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.
The advice and tips 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.
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 neighbor’s CRP).The
Gopher Getter will apply approximately 2 lbs/acre of Elston Gopher Getter Bait when the burrows are
spaced 20 to 25 feet apart, as shown in Figure 15. 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 6 lbs/acre with the factory setup. 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.

Using Your Gopher Getter
14
Figure 15: Application distance between application passes
As you start and end a pass, smoothly raise and lower the machine with the hydraulic cylinder 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 soil is too dry, 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). Typically, it works best when the torpedo tube is
sloping slightly downward into the soil (a few degrees). Try adjusting the angle of the frame by
changing the length of the lower arms on the three point. 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.

Using Your Gopher Getter
15
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. Using a higher grade bolt, such as 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.
Additional Information
If you are having trouble setting up or operating your Gopher Getter, please contact the dealer where you
purchased your GA-700. If you are unable to contact them or they were unable to answer your
questions, please contact Elston Manufacturing at 1-800-845-1385 or refer to our website at
www.elstonmfg.com .

Maintenance
16
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 packer
wheel hub, as shown in Figure 16, and the packer wheel adjustment rod, as shown in Figure 17.
Check that the tire pressure is 20 psi.
Replace any safety decals that are no longer readable.
GA-700 Grease Points
Figure 16: Grease Points on Packer Wheel Hub

Maintenance
17
Figure 17: Grease Points on Packer Wheel Adjustment Rod