Seederman GS2 Technical Document

GS2/GS3 Automatic Needle Seeder
Owners Manual and Operating Guide
GS2 Needle Seeder
GS3 Needle Seeder
© Seederman Seeders 2003

© Seederman Seeders 2003 -1-
GS2 and GS3 Owners Manual and Operating Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Space, environment, and air requirements 3
Connecting the to air source 4
Leveling the machine 5
Attaching sowing kit 6
Checking the index length 7
Adjust height of sowing assembly 8
Inserting needles 9
Operation 10 - 11
Cleaning the needles 12
Setup & Operation of dibbling unit 13
Maintenance 14 - 15
Safety precautions 16
Note on Machine Parts 17
Contacts 17

© Seederman Seeders 2003 -2-
Introduction
The GS2 and GS3 models are operated in the same fashion. The differences
between the two are that a GS3 model is standard with a leg kit eliminating the
need to place the machine on a table, and the GS3 is standard with a dibbling
unit. The GS2 machine can accommodate a dibbling unit, and both machines
can also be fitted with a Vermiculite dispenser and a watering bar.
The GS2 and GS3 Automatic Needle Seeders were designed for the small
greenhouse grower, but are also suitable in a larger growing environment. The
speed at which these machines will sow varies greatly upon several factors
including: size of tray, seed type, and operator. You should expect to sow UP
TO 180 size 288 trays, or 120 size 512 trays per hour.
This machine will accommodate plug trays from 50 to 512 cells. The operator
can change the sowing kit from one plug tray to another in less than 5 minutes.
Seederman has designed these popular machine in various sizes to meet
growers demands for additional options (such as dibble bar, water bar, and
vermiculite dispenser), and to allow for more trays across the table.
Seederman offers a 1 year warranty on all parts (except needles).

© Seederman Seeders 2003 -3-
Space, environment and air requirements
The GS2 Automatic Needle Seeder is designed as a table top model. The space
requirements are as follows:
Length = varies 4’ to 8’
Width = 24 inches
Height = 28 inches
Weight = approx 70 lbs for 4’ model
A sturdy working table allowing at least 4 inches in excess of length and width is
suggested to support this machine. The table should be able to withstand the
weight of the machine and 3 filled trays at a minimum.
The GS3 Automatic Needle Seeder was designed with sturdy extruded aluminum
legs, leveling feet, and optional wheels.
As these machines are manufactured using high grade aluminum it is perfectly
capable of withstanding the hot and humid conditions of most greenhouses,
however you should avoid running this machine in or under a water source.
The GS2 and GS3 Automatic Needle Seeders were engineered to operate using
only compressed air as its source of power. No electricity is required. This
machine requires 60 psi at 5 cfm to operate all components.

Connecting the air source
Connect your air source to the regulator connector being careful to make a
secure connection. The gauge is preset to 60 psi. If the fitting that comes with
the machine is not correct to your air source, you can purchase a ¼ inch npt
fitting at most supply stores.
The regulator is located at the top of the mast head on the left side as the
operator is facing the machine.
At the base of the regulator is a silver knurled ring. By
pulling this ring down you can release any trapped
water in the regulator.
You machine may be equipped with a regulator that
has an automatic drip tube attached to the bottom. If
this is the case, there is no need to release trapped
water as it will happen automatically.
In the photo in figure 1 the valve is shown in the off
position.
Fi
g
ure 1. Re
g
ulator showin
g
air
line properly connected to valve.
© Seederman Seeders 2003 -4-

Leveling the machine
For maximum precision seeding of your trays, it is necessary to insure that your
machine is level on each surface that you place it. The machine is equipped with
locking leveling pads to aid in leveling.
Fi
g
ure 2. One of four levelin
g
pads
ocated at each outside corner of base o
machine.
l f
Fi
g
ure 3. Seed
(
g
ree
n
)
in the pan
showing properly leveled machine.
The best way to level this machine is to place a small amount of round seed into
the seed pan, turn the vibrator on, and note where the seed locates itself. It may
be necessary to adjust the amount of vibration by turning the vibrator knob to the
left or the right (see Figure 11). The seed should lightly “dance” over the surface
of the pan without undue bouncing. A properly leveled machine will distribute the
seed forward of the pan (near the needles) and evenly from front to back with the
majority of the seed centrally located. If the seed needs to be centered across the
width of the seed pan, use the leveling pads on the front or rear of the machine. If
the seed is falling to the rear of the seed pan (away from the needles) the
problem is either the degree of vibration or the leveling pads on the left hand side
of the machine. If the seed falls too far to the back of the machine, raise the rear
leveling pads. If the seed falls too far forward of the machine, raise the front
leveling pads.
The leveling pads are equipped with a locking handle. To adjust the pads, first
turn the bottom handle counter-clockwise to unlock the pads. Then raise or lower
the foot with the top handle. When the foot is the correct height, turn the bottom
handle clockwise to re-lock the pad.
© Seederman Seeders 2003 -5-

Attach the sowing kit
Before changing a sowing kit, the air source should be disconnected from the
machine and all excess air should be released by using the attaching air gun.
The sowing kit is comprised of a drop tube bar located at the base of the
machine, and a needle bar. If a dibbler unit was ordered with your machine, your
sowing kit will also include a dibble bar. Each kit is specific to a certain tray.
The bottom drop tube bar has one handle mounting it to the rear of the machine.
To change the drop tube, grasp the drop tube to steady it, and with your other
hand turn the handle counter-clockwise until the tube is released. To attach a
new tube, line the tube up with the handle, grasp the tube, and turn the handle
clockwise until tight. Make sure when attaching a new tube that it is square to the
seed pan, and flush to the back of the machine.
The needle bar is located just above the drop tube bar. To remove the needle
bar, first disconnect the two air hoses from the front and rear. The air hoses are
equipped with a quick-release fitting. To release, push the ring at the connection
toward the fitting (away from the hose), and the hose should release. DO NOT
PULL ON THE HOSE. After disconnecting the air hoses you can remove the
needle bar from the assembly by unscrewing the two handles at the top of the
bar, one on the front and one on the rear. To attach a new needle bar, line it up
with the two handles and tighten each, then connect the air hoses by inserting the
hose into the fitting.
The needle bar height may need to be adjusted so that the tips of the needles fit
just inside the seed pan. Adjust the height by first unlocking the outside thumb
screw, then turning the inside thumb screw to raise or lower.
Fi
g
ure 4. Two thumb screws to
adjust height of needle bar.
See figure 8 on page 9 for close up of needle bar and fittings.
© Seederman Seeders 2003 -6-

Checking the Index length
Make sure the air is not connected to the machine before changing the indexing
length. The first step is to calculate the length of the index – which is roughly 1 ½
cell lengths. For example, if you are using a standard 512 cell tray – the length of
stroke is approx 1”, and a standard 288 cell tray is approx 1 ¼”. It is not
necessary to determine the exact length, but you need to insure that the push bar
clears the wall off the next cell. To adjust the stroke length, first unlock the inside
adjust handle, then by turning the outside stroke adjust handle right or left, you
can move the stroke adjust closer to the adjust assembly (shorter stroke length),
or further from the adjust assembly (longer stroke length). Measure the gap
between the bumpers of the handle and the assembly as shown in figure 6 to the
length that you determined to be 1 ½ cell lengths.
To check the indexing length, manually slide the stroke adjust assembly forward
and backward and note that the push bars index at least one full cell, and no
more than one cell. Do not be concerned if the push bar ends in the center of the
cell.
Fi
g
ure 6. Tra
y
is properl
y
set up with first
cell directly under drop tube, indexing
push bar is set to forward wall of cell. In
the foreg ound is the stainless steel
vacuum actuator arm.
r
Fi
g
ure 5. S oke assembltr
y
showin
g
gap between handle bar and assembly
bumpers.
The next step is to adjust the indexing push bars. To do this, first line the tray up
so that the first cell is directly under the drop tube bar. Next, unlock the indexing
push bar on the right hand side of the machine and slide it right or left, until the
prongs of the push bar are up against the forward wall of any cell, as shown in
figure 6 above. Once the right hand push bar is set, then offer the tray forward
(left) to the left hand push and repeat to adjust.
The last step is to adjust the vacuum actuator arm to sit on the side of the tray
and set the index placement. Turn the knob to the left to loosen, then slide steel
actuator arm forward or backward to the correct position. Tighten knob to keep
arm in place. This arm controls the vacuum to release seed into the cell, so
proper placement is critical.
© Seederman Seeders 2003 -7-

Adjust height of sowing assembly
You will need to adjust the height of the machines working parts to fit the height
of the trays you are using. To adjust the height of the entire working assembly
(seed pan, drop tube bar, and push bars), first raise the assembly to make sure
that it will accommodate the height of the tray, slide the tray under the drop tube
arm, then lower the assembly so that the drop tube sits just above the tray with
no more than ¼” clearance of the tray.
The height adjust arm is raised and lowered with a single mechanism at the
center of the machine. There are two handles on the assembly, the lower handle
locks the assembly and the upper handle raises and lowers it. First unlock the
assembly by turning the lower handle to the left, then using the top handle raise
or lower the mechanism to the desired height. Relock the assembly with the
lower handle before operation.
Fi
g
ure 7. Hei
g
ht adjust arm with lower
ocking handle and upper adjusting handle.l
The last step in adjusting the height is to replace (if necessary) the vacuum
actuator arm with an arm of appropriate height to properly fit the tray. Your
machine should come equipped with a number of arms to fit the trays you have
purchased sowing kits for.
The machine is set to the proper index length, and height, and all working
components are proper seated to fit the tray you are using.
See page 13 for setup and operating instructions of the dibbling unit if your
machine was equipped with it.
© Seederman Seeders 2003 -8-

Inserting Needles
Your machine came equipped with a set of needles. Each needle has qualities
that are more suited to different types of seed. Below are some examples of
seeds and the needles you should use for each. Use this as a general guide to
help determine the proper needle for the seed you are sowing. If you have
questions, or need another needle size, please contact us.
Color Size Seed type
Clear .008 Petunias, Dusty Miller, Coleus
Red .010 Impatiens, Tomatoes (small), Carnations
Orange .013 Marigold, Salvia, Vinca, Peppers
Blue .016 Multiple Alysium, Kale, Zinnia, Dahlias, Pansies
Purple .020 Geraniums, Pelletized seed, Brassicas
Pink .023 Large palletized seed
Green .033 Cyclamen, cucumber
Fi
g
ure 8. Needle bar, drop tube, a
n
d
seed pan.
Insert needles into the tip on the needle bar insuring tips of needles are facing
vertically in the down position. Do not use undue pressure to insert needle into
tip as it may cause tip to break. If needle does not insert easily, inspect needle
and tip for debris or damage.
Your kit comes equipped with extra needles and needle tips. Replace if
necessary. Tips are screw mounted, needles are push mounted. If you need
additional needles or tips, please contact us.
© Seederman Seeders 2003 -9-