Planter-Mounted System Makes Seed Handling Easy

Planter-Mounted System Makes Seed Handling Easy PLANTERS Planters 23-2-9 When Kevin Armistead of Adairville, Ky., started using bulk seed to fill planters and drills he used a pneumatic-type seed loading system. But he soon grew tired of carrying the cone-type decelerator and dragging the 3-in. dia. fill hose behind. He decided to make things easier by building a planter-mounted "air boom" that swings across the full width of his planter. The "air boom" worked so well he decided to build it for sale and recently put the system on display at the recent National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Ky. The boom is designed to be used together with any pneumatic seed blower or grain vac. A vertical steel mast bolts to the center of the planter or drill frame. It's fitted with a hinged two-section steel boom equipped with a cone-type decelerator on one end and a camlock on the other end. Both boom sections swivel 360 degrees. The camlock hooks up to the pressure line on the blower/vac. To fill the planter or drill you just flip an electric switch on the decelerator to start the seed flow, then walk along the catwalk to guide seed from the decelerator into the seed boxes. "It completely eliminates the need to do any lifting and also works fast," says Armistead. "Loading capacity is about 4 bu. per minute. We use it to fill our two Deere 750 15-ft. drills. We can fill both drills in only 20 to 25 minutes. "The 360 degree swiveling action of the booms makes it very easy to use and keeps it from getting caught in anything whenever you walk around the planter or drill. The decelerator mounts high enough to keep dust from seed treatments away from the operator. The entire unit locks into transport position when it's not in use. "We use it with our Bruning pneumatic blower/vac which I think is by far the best pneumatic conveyor on the market. It costs about $1,000 more than other pneumatic conveyors but is worth it because it's so versatile. It can be used not only to suck grain but also to blow it. It allows you to suck leftover seed out of the planter or drill. It really comes in handy for anyone who has to change seed varieties often. It also comes in handy for cleaning up grain spills around our farm. My 8-year-old nephew used it to suck up a 200 bu. grain spill in only 30 to 40 minutes." Armistead notes that the same boom can be used on several different planters or drills by installing an extra mounting pole on them. Sells for $1,350 plus S&H. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Kevin Armistead, 778 Armistead Rd., Adairville, Ky. 42202 (ph 502 539-9221; fax 9223).

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