Vaderstad Seed Hawk User manual

Seed Hawk Startup.
Preparing you for the season to come.

Customer Clinic
Presentation
We share a wide variety of
information, tips, tricks and
troubleshooting at our customer
clinics.
In case you missed anything you
can view the presentation at any
time by following the QR code to
the right.
View Presentation
Seed Hawk Cheat Sheets
To ensure you have the right
information at your fingertips
when you need it, we have created
a folder of cheat sheets, tips,
tricks, trouble shooting, and a
copy of this Start Guide.
Follow the QR code to the right
to view the folder and download
the files to your iPad or phone for
quick, easy access in the field.
View Folder Contents
QuickStart Videos
We have laid out the steps for
many of the main functions of your
Seed Hawk seeding system in this
guide, to get you started with your
new machine.
Follow the QR code to the right
to view all Seed Hawk QuickStart
videos.
View Folder Contents
Seed Hawk iCon Control
The modern iPad-based control
system Seed Hawk iCon Control
provides simple, complete control
of your Seed Hawk air cart and
toolbar.
Wireless control provides
substantial benefits for seed
drill systems. Carry your iCon
controlled tablet with you to gain
full seeder control and eliminate
the need to go back and forth
between the tractor cab and the
machine.
View App in Store
Vaderstad E-Control
The modern iPad-based control
system Väderstad E-Control can
be used to download manuals,
instructions and QuickStarts to be
stored for offline use on your iPad.
View App in Store

Seed Hawk iCon Cloud
The Seed Hawk iCon Control uses a cloud based system to store job files
and transfer prescription map files to and from the machine.
Visit the cloud at https://cloud.seedhawk.com/
iCon Cloud
Your login details:
Syncing to the cloud
Learn how to sync your iCon operating system with
the cloud.
View QuickStart Video
Loading prescription maps to a job
Learn how to upload prescription map data to the
cloud, and then utilize it in a job in the iCon operating
system.
View QuickStart Video
Username:
Password:

Loading product documents to your iPad
You can use the Väderstad e-Control app to load manuals, instructions
and QuickStarts on your iPad for use while away from a wifi connection.
E-Control App View QuickStart video
Search VVAB e-Control in the App Store
Install on your iPad
Launch E-Control
Tap the How To Button
Tap the Machine Family
Select Product family and tap Done
Tap the Language
Select English [en-CA] and tap Done
You may also enter in Serial Number and Software version
to further refine results

After specifying search filters tap Show Items for results Now you can scroll all results and tap the download
button to add to your iPad for use offline
When you have finished all of your chosen documents/
QuickStart videos can be found in the How To Section of
the app. These items are now housed on your iPad and can
be viewed without wifi connection.

Let’s get started!
Before you begin operating make sure you have the most updated version of the
iCon Control operating System.
Updating software
1. Visit iCon Control in the App Store
2. If the Update button appears in blue, click it, and let your operating system update.
iCon Control App
Before you begin operating make sure you have turned your fans on, opened the
bulk shut off, and ensured your ladder is secured in the up position.
Connect to the Gateway
1. Ensure your Control Panel switch is on and the green led is lit.
2. Wait for the PM4X LED’s to remain solid red before connecting IPAD to the gateway
3. Go to Settings, Select WiFi
4. Select ICONXXXXXX
5. Password for network is “seedhawk”
6. Once initially paired to machine, the WiFi network will be saved to iPad.
View QuickStart video

Setting seed depth
Placing the seed at the proper depth and keeping the depth setting
consistent are critical to achieving optimum germination. The packer
wheels are factory set to place seed at a depth of 3/4 in. below the packed
surface of the soil.
• Factory seed depth setting is “D”, which equates to approximately ¾”.
• The fertilizer to seed offset will place the fertilizer ¾” below and 1 ½”
to the side of the seed.
• The depth of this offset can be manually adjusted by the slide on the
fertilizer knife.
• It is important to ensure you always manually check your seed and
fertilizer depth to guarantee proper placement.
• The seed depth is adjusted by removing the retaining pin on the
opener and utilizing a ¾” wrench to turn the packer wheel gear to the
desired setting.
• Additionally, growers will often utilize the fertilizer knife to seed crops
such as peas. This is providing that the nutrients being put down are
okay to be in the seed row. At factory setting of “D” this would give a
depth of 1 ½” on the seed when putting it through the fertilizer knife.
Note: Please check with your local agronomist to confirm this practice
with your nutrients, and soil composition
1. Remove retaining pin from the
quick pin.
2. Remove quick pin from opener
shank.
3. Rotate the packer arm gear using
a 3/4 in. wrench, and align the
corresponding pin hole with the
desired depth setting (marked on
the decal).
4. Replace the quick pin and the
retaining pin.
Seed depth pin legend
A. 3/8” (9.5mm)
B. 1/2” (12.7mm)
C. 5/8” (15.9 mm)
D. 3/4” (19.0 mm)
E. 1” (25.4 mm)
F. 1-1/4” (31.7 mm)
G. 1-1/2” (38.1 mm)
-A. Less than 3/8” (<9.5mm)
View QuickStart video

Packing pressure
Packing pressure could vary greatly depending on the soil type, moisture and crop being seeded. The
following considerations should be considered when setting opener pressure.
• The opener chain is the key visual guide to ensure you are at least set at the lowest minimum packing
pressure. When in the field, pay attention to the opener chains behind your tractor wheels/mainframe
wheels. During field operation, the chain should be remaining tight. It is considered normal for it to
“twitch” momentarily while seeding but should stay tight for the most part.
• The packing pressure operational range is 800-1500 psi
• In wet conditions, you will likely be in the 800-1100 psi range.
• In dry conditions, you will likely be in the 1100-1500 psi range.
• Always check your furrow to ensure you are achieving a consistently packed finish.
• You can set a packing pressure lower than 800 psi, depending on conditions. This would mostly be
recommended for your when you utilize your “quick dump override”.
Packing Pressure Display/Button Packing Pressure Adjustment Page

Quick dump override
• The quick dump override feature is utilized for when you encounter wet areas in the field that require less
packing pressure.
• Pushing the button will dump your packing pressure down to a user selected psi and time.
• The time and psi are set in the settings menu, in the “General” tab.
• It is important to note that lessening the packing pressure in wet areas will also help prevent the machine
from getting stuck.
Quick Dump Override Quick Dump Override Settings

Fan settings
• Fan settings are based on product lift versus a pre-defined chart.
• Product lift should be 18-24”
• To test product lift:
• Remove secondary hose from furthest opener to outside on either end of drill. This would involve
either removing the hose from metal drop tube, or sliding complete rubber drop tube from support.
• Attach secondary hose to frame pointing upward.
• Operate drill at normal seeding speed and observe product lift.
• Adjust fan RPM until 18-24” of product lift is achieved.
• Re-install secondary hose on machine.
• Verify field operation by operating and check for product on ground and proper depth being achieved.
• High and Low limit fan alarms are setting in the settings menu, Configure Fans tab.
Fan Displays Fan Alarm Limit Settings

Tare individual tank load cells
• It is important to tare your load cells prior to putting any product into the tank for the first time.
• Subsequent tares should be performed in between product changes at the very least.
• Important things to remember are:
• Ensure that there is nothing on top of tanks that would affect weight reading.
• Ensure ladder going to tanks 2, 3 and 4 does not have anything on it, as it is attached to tank 2.
• Ensure that tanks are completely empty prior to tare. Any product left in tank when a tare is completed
could result in negative weight (0 weight) values when seeding.
• The primary function of the load cells is to allow the operator to see the level of product in the tank and
enable functions such as in-field calibration and fit-to-field product rate adjustment. To tare the tanks, go
to settings and select the “Configure Bins” tab. From here select the tank you wish to tare and select the
“Tare Bin” button when ready. As a side note, you can also view individual bin weights in this area.
Congure Bins Tare Bin Button

Static calibration / in field calibration
• YOU MUST do a static calibration to create a new product profile
• You can EDIT an existing product profile when performing a static cal
• *NOTE: It is recommended to do at least one static calibration for every product per
year
• The In-Field Calibration is meant to be a check on the accuracy of your static
calibration. It is NOT recommended that you utilize the In-Field calibration to find the
correct cal number
• Write down or screenshot your cal numbers in case you lose them
• To perform a Static Cal:
Select the “Calibrate” button to access
the calibrate screen.
Select “Static Calibration” then
“Begin”
Measure the weight of your
calibration bucket and enter the
number into the empty bucket weight.
Select the bin you are going to
calibrate and how many meters
sections you wish to run. It is
recommended to run all sections
when using factory calibration bucket.
Select “Next: Select Roller Type”
Select the type of roller you have
installed in your machine.
Select “Next: Prime Meters”
View QuickStart video
Fenix III Meter Rollers
Color Blue Grey Black Yellow
Volume cc 18 cc 120 cc 400 cc 500 cc
Roller Output
(lbs/ac)
Low
(1-12)
Medium
(6-60)
High
(30-350)
Ultra
(40-400)
Product
Fertilizer • • •
Canola •
Barley •
Oats •
Large Bean •
Flax •
Wheat •
Inoculants •
Peas •

Remove the meter diverter plate
and install calibration bucket on the
bottom of meters you are calibrating.
Push “Prime Meters”, the meters will
turn 2 revolutions and stop.
Remove the calibration bucket, empty
and re-install onto meter.
Select “Next: Perform”
General recommended roller speed is
30%.
Push and hold “Turn Motors On”,
if you wish to not have to hold the
button, push “Lock Motors” while
holding “Turn Motors On”.
Product will now collect in calibration
bucket. Allow the Calibrate bar to fill
and turn green prior to stopping the
calibration.
To stop the calibration, either let go
of “Turn Motors On”, or touch “Turn
Motors On” if motors were locked.
Remove and weigh calibration bucket
and enter number into “Final Bucket
Weight”
Select “Next: Result”
On the “Results” screen, you will see
your Calibration Number on the upper
left portion.
To apply this to a product, touch the
box below “Product Profile”.
From here you can select your
product type. If you do not want
to apply it to a generic profile, you
will still have to select the generic
profile, but press “New” instead of the
product name. You can then enter the
specific name and select done.
It is not important to modify the
application rate or calibration number
when initially selecting. You should
now see the name of the product in
the box under “Product Profile”.
Push “Apply”, you should now see the
lb/rev number in the product profile
box change to the calibration number
from the left portion of screen.
Once completed, push “Done”

Engage Lookaheads
Engage lookaheads compensate for the amount of time between when a section is engaged and when product
begins to hit the ground. They can be congured from 0 to 30 seconds, however in most cases they will be less
than 10. Larger lookahead values cause the sections to begin applying product earlier yielding more overlap.
Once a section has begun to engage, it cannot be disengaged until its lookahead period has expired. For example,
if a section with an engage lookahead of 15 seconds begins to engage, but then encounters seeded area, it will
remain engaged for at least 15 seconds. The only exception to this rule is that a section may disengage early if it
leaves the eld boundary.
Disengage Lookaheads
Disengage lookaheads compensate for the amount of time between when a section is engaged and when product
stops hitting the ground. They can be congured from -30 to 30 seconds, however in most cases they will be less
than 10. Larger disengage lookahead values cause the sections to disengage later yielding more overlap.
Product vs. Opener Lookaheads
There are two main sources of mechanical delay that engage/disengage lookaheads account for:
• the time it takes for the openers to get into the ground
• the time it takes for the product to ow from the tank to the openers.
The iCon system accounts for each of these separately. The user may set unique lookahead values for the
openers and each of the product tanks.
Lookahead examples
1. In example one, the engage lookaheads are set to 6 seconds and the disengage lookaheads are set to -4 seconds. The sections
engage 6 seconds early, yielding possible overlap as the lines ll. The sections also disengage 4 seconds before the headland
yielding a possible two second miss where no product is applied.
2. In example two, the engage lookaheads are set to 3 seconds and the disengage lookaheads are set to -2 seconds. This yields a
possible 3 second miss as lines ll going into the pass, there should be little overlap as the lines clear out going into the head-
land.
3. In example three, the engage lookaheads are set to 0 seconds and the disengage lookaheads are set to 0 seconds. This yields 6
seconds of possible miss entering the pass and two seconds of overlap at the end of the pass.
UNSEEDEDSEEDED SEEDED
Sectional Control Technology lookaheads
Note: Look ahead times are the responsibility of the operator and can vary due to machine, product and environmental conditions.

Setting product and opener SCT times
• The iCon control system will automatically engage/disengage products and openers
when SCT mode is turned on.
• Because product takes time to travel from the meter to the opener, lookahead allows
SCT to accurately engage and disengage meters to account for the time it takes product
to travel down the network of hoses, towers, and feed tubes. A properly calibrated
lookahead time allows for sections to stop and resume seeding quickly as the sections
encounter previously seeded land, which results in accurate SCT operation.
• For proper operation of the system, the operator must determine and enter the
appropriate engage and disengage times into the system for Products 1-6 and the
openers.
View QuickStart video
Tap the calibrate button, choose
product lookahead calibration, tap
begin.
Select the bin to calibrate and choose
the Next: prime meters button located
in the bottom right of your screen.
Tap the prime meters button, this
will turn your rollers over 2 times
to ensure they are fully primed so
as soon as you start the calibration
product will be coming out.
The instructions for the next part
are written on your screen, you will
place both thumbs on the engage and
disengage buttons.
Note: Your engage times should be set to
your longest pipes, because it takes the
longest for product to flow out of those
ones, and the disengage times should be
set to the centre of your toolbar which takes
the shortest amount of time for product to
stop entering.
Release your left thumb when product
exits the openers.
Release your right thumb when
product stops exiting the openers.
The result will display instantly.
You can hit reset to reperform the
calibration, or choose the next result
button in the bottom right corner of
your screen to go to the summary
page. Here you will hit apply to apply
the calibration to the system.
Quick Note: The more positive the
number means the more overlap you
will generally see. If you were not
happy with the 7 Second engage, you
could increase that number to be more
positive to see more overlap.
Similar with the disengage, if you
wanted to see more overlap you
would make that number more
positive. By increasing the positivity
of those numbers you will ensure
you will see overlaps in your field
instead of skips. Make sure to hit the
apply button anytime you alter these
numbers.
It is always the operator’s
responsibility to get out and dig
to check for product to ensure the
settings are correct and minimized
the risk of unapplied areas in the
field.
Opener engage and disengage times
follow the same logic as the product
and are set from the opener setting
window. Please ensure that the
openers are fully in the ground and
that the chains are tight prior to
entering an unseeded area.

Starting a job
• Open the iCon Control App and wait for the iPad to connect to the Gateway
• From the Operate screen, tap Select Job
• Tap the blue (+) button in the top right corner
• Tap the Job Name input eld to enter the name of the job
• Tap the Field Name drop down box to select or enter a new eld
Setup the Product Configuration by
tapping the bin for each product
Select the product for the bin
Select the desired rate of application
Select the desired calibration number if you have a previously verified number.
A default value is initially provided. It is always recommended for the
operator to perform a static calibration for each new product before seeding.
Select the Roller Type. Ensure you have the same roller in the tank that you select
Select the Prescription Map if applicable.
Select the Multiplier. Leave it at 100% unless your prescription map requires other.
Select the Tank Pairing if you would like to chain or combine bins.
Chain: One tank will empty before the next of the same product.
Combine: Multiple tanks will empty at the same time of the same product.
Ensure all tanks are set up with the products that are in each tank
Ensure each tank is set up in the correct air stream
Seed is a wheat stalk. Fertilizer is a pile of granules.
Select the Headland size.
Enter the value that would implement a “false” headland in order to seed a
second or third headland at the end of seeding the field.
To calculate your overlap multiply the width of your drill by 2 and subtract 10’ for proper overlap.
Ex: for a 60 foot drill you would enter 110 (60 x 2 = 120 - 10 =110).
Tap Begin , you will then be directed back to the job screen with an open job.
View QuickStart video

Turning on the machine
Select the switchbox on the RH side
of the operate screen. In here you
will see you bins and sections. Turn
the product on by pushing on the
bins one at a time. A green light will
appear on each button. For chained
or combined tanks, the button on
only one of the tanks will need to be
pushed to turn it on.
Once the tanks are on the sections
must be engaged to operate the
machine.
Turn your sections on by either
selecting the green “All On” button ,
or engage SCT using the blue “All SCT”
button
When section lights are green, it
means that the machine is on, and will
dispense seed and engage openers
regardless of being on or around
seeded ground. Blue light will appear
directly below the green when SCT
mode is engaged. In SCT mode the
machine will only operate providing
that it see’s ground speed and a GPS
signal.
You can also operate the sections
individually by pressing the
corresponding button on the screen.
Important tips: if you are in SCT
mode, the first push of the button
will turn it to on, so a double tap is
required to turn off. You must also
push “All SCT” to re-engage any
sections back into SCT mode.
From the operate screen you can
identify the machines state of
operation by the light bar.
The top row indicates opener section
operation, while the bottom row
indicates tank section operation.
Green is on, Blue is SCT mode and
Grey is off.
The section number also indicates
if there is a blockage. When the
numbers are white, that means
everything is working properly. If
the numbers turn red, it indicates a
blockage on that section. Refer to the
blockage page to determine which
runs are plugged. One the blockage
page, the lights above each individual
opener number indicate fertilizer, and
the ones below indicate seed.

Adjusting product rate in a job
From the operate page, push on the
product rate that you wish to change
On the next page, you can adjust
application rate, see current product
level, select paint on map (this would
be the map displayed on operate
screen) and enable fit-to-field.
Exiting a job
Whether you are done the field or just shutting down for
the evening, you must exit the job for it to save properly.
Select the job info box in the upper LH corner of the
screen. From here you can select “Exit Job”
This will take you back to the job creation page.
From here you can shut the system down, if the job
is incomplete, or choose to dispose, end or resume,
depending on the state of the job. Disposing will
completely remove the job from your iPad, Ending will
zip the job to a file, preparing it for cloud transfer and
removing it from the active job list. Resuming will restart
the job at the point where you would have exited it.
View QuickStart video

Creating eld boundary
• Begin Seeding
• Tap red Record button to begin recording the boundary
• Once the implement comes back to the beginning of the eld boundary, a notication ring and
a green check mark will allow you to tap Close Boundary.
• If you need to stop in the middle of recording the boundary, tap the Pause button
• Ensure to press the resume button once you begin seeding again View QuickStart video
Advanced Features
Edit headland mode
• This mode will automatically show up if you entered a “false” headland and once you have
closed the boundary
• If you would like to remove headlands from two edges of the eld do the following:
• Tap and Hold from the black edge around the outside of the eld and drag your nger to the
inside of the eld
• Do the same for how many cuts you would like to make in the eld
• Tap the Pencil at the top of the screen in order to nish Edit Headland mode
Creating obstacles
• Seed around the Obstacle
• Double tap the gray portion of the eld that is the Obstacle
• This will adjust any acreage that has and will be seeded in the Job information
View QuickStart video
Other tips and tricks for seeding
• In Field calibration works best when your starting static calibration number is close. If you are
having trouble getting in eld cal to settle, try doing or redoing a static calibration
• Set up jobs in the eld, not before. There is a 10km buer, outside of that, the job won’t open
• DO NOT turn outside the eld when mapping a eld boundary
• Start eld boundaries after 50+ feet of seeding, so you have room to close the boundary
• A LWAY S dig to double check your product turn on/o times
• ONLY use t to eld when you are close to nished (less than 20 acres)
• DO NOT recongure the machine with product in the tanks, no way to tare tanks to zero

Prescription maps are read into the system via three le types:
Shape le (*.shp)
Shape les indicate “zones” in the eld that will have dierent rates. These zones can
appear either as a grid or as more of a contour map. The le contains simple GPS poly-
gons, with each individual polygon mapping to a zone.
The system requires the following values for specic parameters in the shape le and
will not accept shape les without these values. Refer to an ICD for shape les for more
information: https://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/shapele.pdf.
o Shape le version = 1000
o Shape type = Polygon Shape Id (5)
Shape le index (.shx)
- Helps index into the shape le
- Can be used to speed up reading, currently NOT used by the SeedHawk system.
Database format (*.dbf)
The database format le species the rates used for each zone. The row in the dbf le
corresponds to the polygon id in the shape le. There can be multiple columns of data
in the dbf le that corresponds to dierent products that can be selected.
The system requires the following values for specic parameters in the dbf le and will
not accept dbf les without these values. Refer to an ICD for dbf les for more informa-
tion.
o Data Type = Numeric (‘N’)
When the prescription maps are used, they are read into the system and the shape and
dbf les are combined to create a single prescription map. The image to the right is an
example of a prescription map that has been read into the system.
Prescription Mapping
A prescription map, or variable rate map, is used to automatically adjust the
target application rate of a product for a particular eld area. Prescription
maps are downloaded from a user’s cloud account and pushed to the Gateway
via the iPad. Once enabled, the target rate data is used to control application
rate and displayed to the user as a color-coded map.
Example prescription map
View QuickStart video