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No-Tillage
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Dickinson Research Extension Center staff proposed to develop and assemble
a no-till plot drill for use in planting on farm demonstration projects
utilizing new technology in low disturbance seeding and fertilizing. The drill must meter and plant seed ranging
in size from canola to garbanzo beans.
Additional information about the design and construction of
this drill may be obtained by contacting Roger Ashley, Area Extension Agronomist or Jim
Nelson, DREC Scientist.
The
criteria that the Center used in developing the no-till plot drill
was:
1)
Low Disturbance studies indicate that low disturbance
seeding results in:
·
Providing
weed seeds less opportunity to germinate and establish.
·
Moisture
content is maintained in soils.
·
Fuel
and time conservation.
·
Time
flexibility.
·
Improvement
in soil organic matter.
·
Preservation
of soil structure, earthworms, beneficial soil micro-fauna and micro-flora.
·
Prevention
of erosion.
·
Moderating
soil temperatures.
·
Improved
internal drainage.
2) Accurate placement of seed for uniform germination
and emergence. Uneven germination
and emergence will create problems with weed control, crop injury,
and harvest.
3)
Manage large amounts of residue.
The drill must handle more than just the average
amount of residue. Yields have
been trending higher. In some
years, we plant into 70 and 80 bushel per acre winter
wheat stubble, 100 bushel plus per acre barley stubble, and 90 bushel
per acre corn stubble. We do not have the luxury of multiple drills
to select for a particular situation and besides it is expensive to
have extra equipment on hand.
4)
Operate under a wide range of conditions.
Soil texture, moisture content, and crop residue will vary
across a field and between farms so if the drill is to be useful it
must be able to perform consistently across a wide range of operating
conditions.
5)
Provide for separate bands of fertilizer and seed.
Seed in contact with high rates of fertilizer results in lower
germination rates or damaged seedlings.
If adequate amounts of fertilizer materials are going to be
applied in a no-till situation at planting time then banding fertilizer
separate from seed is required.
6)
The drill must seed both small research plots as well as larger
demonstration plots. The drill
must have the capability to use fluid as well as dry fertilizers. Producers want to see performance of a wide
range of practices over a large field in wide ranging conditions.
7)
The technology we incorporate into the drill must be available
and ready for adaptation and use on the farm today.
8)
The plot drill can be no wider than 8 feet and no longer than
14 feet. In addition to these planting conditions, since
the Dickinson Research Extension Center plants a number of on-farm demonstrations,
the drill and tractor must fit on a 32-foot long trailer. We also need to do this legally so width is
important too.
About the opener selected.
The
Cross-Slot opener developed from research conducted at Massey University, New Zealand and the Agricultural Research Service
at Pullman, WA is designed specifically for no-till seeding. The Cross-Slot opener uses parallel linkage
so the opener follows the irregularities of the soil surface found
in no-till conditions. A vertical
scalloped coulter cuts through crop residue.
A blade on each side of the coulter cuts a horizontal slot. Seed is placed in the horizontal slot created
by the left blade and fertilizer is placed in the horizontal slot
created by the right blade. A
scraper behind each blade on the opener prevents sticky soil and seed
from being thrown up onto the surface by
the coulter. The two semi-pneumatic wheels on each opener
control the depth of penetration as well as pressing the soil and
residue back into place thus closing the slot.
The horizontal slot created by the blades plus the vertical
slot created by the coulter give the opener its name.
Fertilizer can be placed deeper than the seed by using a short
or a medium length blade for placing the seed and a long blade for
placing the fertilizer. Growers in Washington State indicated that they do this for their
spring wheat plantings. Separation
can be ½ inch to the side and 1 ½ inches below the seed. Up to 300 pounds per acre of urea fertilizer
has been applied through a drill equipped with the opener without
injury to germinating seed when the fertilizer is place horizontal
to the seed according to Dr. Keith
Saxton,
retired ARS Scientist, Pullman, WA. A hydraulic
cylinder on each opener raises and lowers the opener as well as providing
constant down pressure to each opener when in the planting position.
Drill Statistics
Total
length of drill = 14 feet
Frame
width = 8 feet
Total
weight empty = 7,760 pounds
Openers
= 9 Cross-Slot
Opener Spec
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Cross-Slot
Mark V
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Weight
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Approximately
260 pounds/opener
|
Minimum mounting area on frame required
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10
inches x 38 inches
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Scalloped Disc
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22
inch diameter
|
Depth Control
|
Two
three-inch wide pneumatic tires per opener
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Hydraulics
|
|
Rams
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Each
opener has a hydraulic ram capable of 1,500 pounds of force
|
Accumulators
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2
x 4 liters with memory valve, sensor system
|
Linkage
|
Parallel
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Planting depth
|
3/8
to 3 inches
|
Blades and Scrapers
|
Case
harden steel
|
Fertilizer placement in relation to seed placement
|
Med
blade ½ horizontal or long blade ½ inch horizontal
and one inch deep
|
Width
between openers on tool bar = 16 inches
Openers
occupy two tool bars.
In field
between rows = 8 inches
Finished
planting width = 72 inches
Small plot seed
metering = Hege belted 5 inch diameter cone system.
- 9
cones on two frames (5 cones on front frame and 4 cones on back
mounted frame)
- Electric
solenoid activated.
- Rotoseedverteiler
II
Cone
timing = design by Todd Mayer, Steffes Corporation, Dickinson,
ND
Small
plot dry fertilizer metering = Single 12 inch diameter cone system.
Liquid
Fertilizer System
Two
60 gallon cone tanks
One
CDS John Blue Company LM-1255 single piston metering pump
Liquid Fertilizer
Manifold = Pattison Even-Flo, 9 outlet manifold system
Bulk
Dry Fertilizer and Seed Metering System
Salvage
from a Melroe 202 drill
Drive
wheel
Modified
CDS John Blue Company drive wheel system by Dean Kovash, Steffes Corporation,
Dickinson, ND
Caster
wheels
4,400
pounds per wheel
Tires =
12 ply 14L x 16.1
Final
design and manufacturing of the Drill Steffes Corporation,
Dickinson, ND
Engineering
Todd Mayer and Dean Kovash
Fabricators
Larry Kostelecky and Lyle Mayer
Financial
support:
ND
Barley Council
Western Malting Barley Initiative
ND Dry Pea and Lentil Association
CDS John Blue Company
JR Simplot Company
Pattison Liquid Systems Inc
Gustafson LLC
Syngenta Crop Protection
DISCLAIMER:
The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Any
reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding
that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied by
the Dickinson Research Extension staff.