Every farmer knows the importance of managing wastage. The attention to detail goes for every stage of the planting process. From planting and weeding to harvesting, you must be keen to use your resources optimally and keep costs as low as possible. Specifically, the planting stage calls for proper management of the seeding process to keep excess seeds from finding their way into the soil. When you sow more seeds than you need to, your crops will not develop well. They compete for limited soil nutrients and water, which is detrimental to the quality of your harvest. In most cases, an overcrowded farm results from manual seeding where you have little control over the pattern of sowing. You can automate this process using an air seeder.
The Functions of an Air Seeder
Air seeders are instrumental for numerous functions. You can use them to distribute fertiliser, nitrogen and seeds at specific intervals. The intervals are pre-determined and differ depending on the type of crop you are sowing. Many air seeders should be adequate for both medium- and large-scale sowing operations. You can opt for something smaller if you are farming for subsistence or recreational purposes. Air seeders work well on a variety of seeds, including wheat and vegetables.
The Working Mechanism
An air seeder has a relatively straightforward working mechanism. It starts with a fan blowing air vigorously through the seeder's primary tubes. As this happens, a meter turns to drop the seeds into the flowing air and move down the tool. The seeder's primary tubes carry the seed, fertiliser and other components to a specialised tower. Afterwards, the seeds move to the secondary lines connected to the tower. These tubes link with the openers that release the seeds and other components into the soil.
Essentially, an opener blade slices a small trench so that the seeds drop to the bottom of the trench. There is an adjustable gauge wheel that controls the depth reached by the seed. Moreover, a pressing wheel pushes each seed into the ground to ensure maximum contact between the soil and the seed.
The Things to Look Out For
You notice that dropping seeds at specific intervals requires intermittent movement of the openers. The action takes a toll on the openers, and worn openers affect the air seeder's placement accuracy. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations to replace the openers after using the seeder over a certain acreage.
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