Extreme Blower Seeder

[DEC]

I thought I would share this video that I made with all of you. I posted a different short video in the Throw n' Mow thread as well. I have no official affiliation with the guy who created this product, I was simply introduced to him and he said "here try this out and let me know what you think". Anyway, I did all of my food plots for this fall with this product. I had seen it online before but it wasn't one of those products where I said "I need to drop the money for that" ... until I used it. Now I would buy one in a heart beat. This thing is very handy for secluded plots where getting equipment into is tough. It is amazing for broadcasting into standing ag crops like corn or beans. It works well for large plots also. If you have a leaf blower, this thing is a real legitimate option for a guy who doesn't have the need, resources, or desire to invest in large equipment. Pretty cool product really.

 

[yoderjac]

Watched the video. Interesting but I'm not sure I see an advantage over a chest mount broadcast seeder like the solo. It seems it would be tougher to get an even distribution of seed. I could see how it could have some advantage in tall standing beans and corn where you chest is not high enough for the seed to distribute evenly because it is deflected by the existing crop. Pointing the blower at an upward angle may be something you can't do with a chest mount seeder.

To me, it looks a little more like a solution looking for a problem.

The thing that is missing from small equipment seeding is more precise metering. Drills and tractor equipment can be much more precise because ground speed is consistent. Herd makes some broadcast seeders for ATV that have precise settings for small seed but they are expensive and ATV ground speed is not very consistent. The only solution I've seen so far is to simply measure out the amount of seed for a field and intentionally under-seed during the first pass and make additional passes adjusting settings to get an even distribution. If someone could figure out how to get enough precision into small equipment to allow a precise setting once calibrated that was reproducible enough to get even distribution in a single pass for a low cost, they would have a winner.

Perhaps some kind of ATV mounted unit that is ground wheel driven....?

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Bill]

I could see it for corn. Metering would be tough but it’s tough to seed into corn without an airplane.

 

[yoderjac]

I could see it for corn. Metering would be tough but it’s tough to seed into corn without an airplane.

Yep, that is the one application where I see some advantage....

 

[DEC]

It is simply a piece of equipment that is an option for guys out there. No need to over think it. Yes, a drill, seeder, pull behind spreader are much better at an even seed distribution especially in a large open plot. But the reality is that there are a lot of guys who don't have that luxury or even the money to spend on that equipment. A lot of guys cannot buy an ATV and a simple pull behind spreader. I have most all equipment at my disposal. I have tractors, ATV's, seeders, back pack spreaders, chest spreaders, pull behind spreaders, and small hand spreaders ... They all have their place. On my big plots, including the one in this video, I'd much rather do a pull behind with my ATV. I wanted to see how this blower spreader would work in this application for the guy who doesn't have large equipment. I spread oats and rye, both very easy to see on the ground and I can guarantee that the seed distribution to the eye looked generally as uniform as if I had done a pull behind. Were there some heavy spots and possibly some thin spots ... sure ... but in general it was very uniform. I will tell you as a guy who has used every type of hand/chest/back pack spreader that is made from hand crank ones to push button battery operated ones, that this blower spreader is faster, easier, less work, and just as uniform for small secluded plots. And it cannot be beat for over seeding in standing crops or seeding into wetlands.

Again ... it is simply an option. Like I said, I have no affiliation, the guy simply said "here try this and see what you think" which I did and like many put my experience on video. Before he gave it to me I wouldn't have spent the money on the attachment. But I can tell you if he stopped by today and took it back with him, I'd be online ordering one tomorrow. It is pretty slick.

 

[yoderjac]

Not overthinking anything. It is pretty common practice around this forum when someone identifies a new piece of equipment, method, or technique to discuss the aspects where it may have advantages and disadvantages compared to other equipment or techniques. Since you identified it as an option for guys without larger equipment, I compared it to the chest mount solo spreader and an ATV mounted spreader. You can't get much lower on the equipment scale than the chest mount solo.

Most folks who have limited equipment are operating on a budget. When they buy a piece of equipment, it is best if they understand the plusses and minuses compared to alternatives.

I'm not criticizing your post and appreciate you sharing your experience with us. Glad to hear you were able to get an even seed distribution with it. How many refills does that hopper take to spread a bag of WR?

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Catscratch]

Watched the video. Interesting but I'm not sure I see an advantage over a chest mount broadcast seeder like the solo. It seems it would be tougher to get an even distribution of seed. I could see how it could have some advantage in tall standing beans and corn where you chest is not high enough for the seed to distribute evenly because it is deflected by the existing crop. Pointing the blower at an upward angle may be something you can't do with a chest mount seeder.

To me, it looks a little more like a solution looking for a problem.

The thing that is missing from small equipment seeding is more precise metering. Drills and tractor equipment can be much more precise because ground speed is consistent. Herd makes some broadcast seeders for ATV that have precise settings for small seed but they are expensive and ATV ground speed is not very consistent. The only solution I've seen so far is to simply measure out the amount of seed for a field and intentionally under-seed during the first pass and make additional passes adjusting settings to get an even distribution. If someone could figure out how to get enough precision into small equipment to allow a precise setting once calibrated that was reproducible enough to get even distribution in a single pass for a low cost, they would have a winner.

Perhaps some kind of ATV mounted unit that is ground wheel driven....?

Thanks,

Jack

Dude called you out because you took his post about a piece of equipment (that he actually has and uses... and feels is better than he thought it would be) and berated it. You've used this spreader how much? In what position are you to debate it's effectiveness to someone who has used one? I'm not sure why the negativity or the need to tell him his equipment doesn't work well, especially with something you have no experience with. Speculation?

 

[SD51555]

The whole reason I brought that product to market was because it was needed. Too often I saw guys struggling to get proper distribution on small and light seeds. I wanted to bring them a viable option that didn't require thousands of dollars in equipment. Rape or turnip is the most common example. I wanted to get my plants per square foot down to 2. I couldn't get it under 20 after extensive field trials with everything from a Scott's cup spreader to the finest chest mount and ATV spreaders. I never ran trials against pull behind drills because I was not competing with that market.

Clovers that call for rates as low as 3lbs per acre can now be effectively spread with my machine. It was never intended for large seeds or large amounts of fertilizer, even though it handles them just fine. Those can be done with a 5 gallon bucket and an ability to pitch sidearm. I've done tests with the smallest of seeds and gotten the flow rates low enough, yet consistent enough to make 2 cups of small seed cover an acre.

The era of wasted seed and choked out brassica plots is over.

 

[yoderjac]

Dude called you out because you took his post about a piece of equipment (that he actually has and uses... and feels is better than he thought it would be) and berated it. You've used this spreader how much? In what position are you to debate it's effectiveness to someone who has used one? I'm not sure why the negativity or the need to tell him his equipment doesn't work well, especially with something you have no experience with. Speculation?

Cat,

Not negativity, simply healthy skepticism. Nothing to do with this particular product. When I see a post about a new piece of equipment that talks about all positives and does not address negatives (, I want to dig a little deeper. I watched his video. It seemed to me that even distribution would be the biggest challenge from what I saw. When I questioned that, the OP addressed it in his follow up. I also pointed out that it seems to have an advantage when seeding into a tall standing crop like corn.

Few if any products have no downsides. When I see a user post that describes both the advantages and issues I'm much less skeptical. Just trying to draw out both sides. By the way, it is not uncommon for me to ask a lot of hard questions and critique a product quite a bit on a thread and then decide to buy one for a particular application. For me, it is more about understanding the applications where a product excels and where it struggles. One example may be the CuddeLink thread. There is a lot of puffing going on in that thread and I've had some pretty strong critique. It is certainly not even close to a fit for my QDM application. Having said that, I certainly respect how it fits well with the applications of some of the end users discussing it on that thread. I'm watching it closely because I may have a different application coming up in the next few years where it may be a good fit if it matures.

By the way, I never berated it. The only thing even close to negative I said was "It seems it would be tougher to get an even distribution of seed. " I did say "To me, it looks a little more like a solution looking for a problem." By that I meant that there is no real problem in 90% of the cases using a chest mount spreader for small plots.

If it came across as berating, that certainly was not the intent. In my opinion, it does a product benefit to have both pros and cons discussed here. Had I not posted back, the thread may have died a natural death. My hope was for both the OP to respond with his experience concerning evenness of seed distribution (which he did) as well as to draw in others who have used it and had a different experience.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[yoderjac]

The whole reason I brought that product to market was because it was needed. Too often I saw guys struggling to get proper distribution on small and light seeds. I wanted to bring them a viable option that didn't require thousands of dollars in equipment. Rape or turnip is the most common example. I wanted to get my plants per square foot down to 2. I couldn't get it under 20 after extensive field trials with everything from a Scott's cup spreader to the finest chest mount and ATV spreaders. I never ran trials against pull behind drills because I was not competing with that market.

Clovers that call for rates as low as 3lbs per acre can now be effectively spread with my machine. It was never intended for large seeds or large amounts of fertilizer, even though it handles them just fine. Those can be done with a 5 gallon bucket and an ability to pitch sidearm. I've done tests with the smallest of seeds and gotten the flow rates low enough, yet consistent enough to make 2 cups of small seed cover an acre.

The era of wasted seed and choked out brassica plots is over.

That is the kind of info I was fishing for. Can you tell us more about how you achieve the even seed distribution? I have not had any issue achieving 2 or 3 lbs/ac with ptt using the Solo, but because of differences in ground speed when I walk and the crank rate, a fixed setting position does not provide a consistent seeding rate. The only solution I've found is to under-seed on the first pass and make a second pass adjusting the setting as needed based on my walking and cranking performance that way. If you have somehow solved that metering/distribution issue, I'd like to hear how it works. That wasn't clear from the video.

Thanks,

jack

 

[Catscratch]

Cat,

Not negativity, simply healthy skepticism.

Oh, well that's all that needs said. I obviously miss took your original post and the things you said.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[SD51555]

The feeder gate has six positions

That is the kind of info I was fishing for. Can you tell us more about how you achieve the even seed distribution? I have not had any issue achieving 2 or 3 lbs/ac with ptt using the Solo, but because of differences in ground speed when I walk and the crank rate, a fixed setting position does not provide a consistent seeding rate. The only solution I've found is to under-seed on the first pass and make a second pass adjusting the setting as needed based on my walking and cranking performance that way. If you have somehow solved that metering/distribution issue, I'd like to hear how it works. That wasn't clear from the video.

Thanks,

jack

The feeder gate has six settings that span 21.2 millimeters total. Beings that the opening is circular the first and second setting are considerably smaller than settings 3-6 and allow for seed rates low enough you can walk with rates as low as one pound of PTT per acre and make two passes at a slow walk. But that isn't necessary. Most users find they seed too lightly on openings one and two, and end up using setting 3 anyway.

Distribution is not an issue due to the minimum and maximum throw from the blower. To test this, we laid out sheets of cardboard and poured on cheap white paint to catch the seed. We mounted the blower in a cradle at a ten degree incline and blew 1 lb of rape seed through it onto the paint. The seed had a natural distribution distance as wide as 18 feet, but most fell within a 14 foot minimum/maximum range. Under normal swinging and walking, you will cover that area twice from left to right before you walk out of range. It's the same as seeding twice, but you're swinging over the area twice instead of walking the entire plot twice.

 

[SD51555]

This might help better illustrate how the seed rates can be cranked down as low as I'm describing. Like anything, this is a tool for a range of purposes, but not all purposes. You can't fillet a fish with a hammer. Doesn't mean the hammer is a bad tool. Guys have sent in stories of uses we never envisioned, along with very cool modifications. One university sent us pictures of a mod they did where they mounted the blower to the side of a gator and used 2" hose to to gravity feed ice melt into the blower from a hopper. One guy could now put down ice melt on the entire campus in under 30 minutes.

 

[yoderjac]

The feeder gate has six positions

The feeder gate has six settings that span 21.2 millimeters total. Beings that the opening is circular the first and second setting are considerably smaller than settings 3-6 and allow for seed rates low enough you can walk with rates as low as one pound of PTT per acre and make two passes at a slow walk. But that isn't necessary. Most users find they seed too lightly on openings one and two, and end up using setting 3 anyway.

Distribution is not an issue due to the minimum and maximum throw from the blower. To test this, we laid out sheets of cardboard and poured on cheap white paint to catch the seed. We mounted the blower in a cradle at a ten degree incline and blew 1 lb of rape seed through it onto the paint. The seed had a natural distribution distance as wide as 18 feet, but most fell within a 14 foot minimum/maximum range. Under normal swinging and walking, you will cover that area twice from left to right before you walk out of range. It's the same as seeding twice, but you're swinging over the area twice instead of walking the entire plot twice.

So if I understand the differences correctly:

Chest-mount - Spray pattern from an individual location is a wide V directly in front of the man (unless intentionally restricted with adjustments) and the distance the V covers is directly related to the speed one turns the crank.

Blower - Spray pattern from an individual location is a a V in the direction the blower is pointed. The distance is governed by the airflow of the blower (Presumably fully on for consistency).

Both - Spray patterns are affected by the density and aerodynamics of the seeds in the mix.

With the Chest-mount, the variables are the crank speed and walking speed for a given setting and seed mix.

With the Blower, the variables are the left-right swing of the blower as well as it's up/down direction as well as walk speed for a given setting and seed mix.

Did I get that right or am I missing something?

Thanks,

Jack

 

[SD51555]

So if I understand the differences correctly:

Chest-mount - Spray pattern from an individual location is a wide V directly in front of the man (unless intentionally restricted with adjustments) and the distance the V covers is directly related to the speed one turns the crank.

Blower - Spray pattern from an individual location is a a V in the direction the blower is pointed. The distance is governed by the airflow of the blower (Presumably fully on for consistency).

Both - Spray patterns are affected by the density and aerodynamics of the seeds in the mix.

With the Chest-mount, the variables are the crank speed and walking speed for a given setting and seed mix.

With the Blower, the variables are the left-right swing of the blower as well as it's up/down direction as well as walk speed for a given setting and seed mix.

Did I get that right or am I missing something?

Thanks,

Jack

You got it. The blower takes out the inconsistencies in cranking speed, and the distance seed can be thrown reduces the amount of walking required to seed a given plot. This reduces fatigue and increases the likelihood a person can maintain a consistent speed and swing. It may not seem like a big deal at face value, but when it's 90+ degrees, humid, and you've already worked all day, those little things matter.

Depending on the blower, you can throw seed much further than you could ever spin cast. I recommend a blower that does no more than 500 CFM. Anything higher and it can get tough to control. I use an electric blower and I can cover a 60 foot swat in one pass. Trying to throw and mow in 6' tall rye? This is your product.

 

[Reagan]

When the state builds a new highway they contract a company to seed the banks and dirt work. I have never seen these companies use a hand crank spreader or any type of spinning spreader. They blow it.

Makes me think this has to be a highly efficient and dependable tool.

Thanks Mr SD for bringing this product to our attention. The only downside I see for your device is that the Amish won’t be able to use it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Catscratch]

Bravo Jack, bravo. I really took your fist post as critical and negative towards something you had never used and had no experience with (apparently so did the original poster as he answered your first post with confirmation of what he felt was a good product). But then in a later post you revealed that you really were baiting us; into keeping the thread alive, drawing others in, and getting the OP to explain again that it is a good product with even coverage. You accomplished all those things! The trickery is strong with you my friend. Bravo!

 

[Big Snow Man]

Very cool piece of equipment

 

[Bill]

That thing is cool. What do they go for?

It's the 90 degree day and the way the college spreads ice melt you mention that has me interested. I could have someone slowly drive the side by side while I'm blasting seed. Sure sounds like it would beat me walking the field two or three times and changing my wet shirt when I'm done....

 

[Red Picqua]

I think it is pretty neat. I like the part where he was seeding into standing corn. Try to place a broadcast spreader into standing corn for seeds!! good luck.

Here are a couple of things I wish it had or wondering if it has been tried out?

1. fertilizer? it is too heavy? has it been tried? did I miss it in the video?
2. maybe mounted somehow to a bigger hopper and it works mounted to a four wheeler like a turret.
3. just for giggles.. have you ever tried it with a smaller opening on the blower?? I would imagine that would shoot smaller ones out wicked fast. if that is the case aim down and drive them in the ground?? blow gun theory. I could see that for corn. or beans. some sort of metering system to drop individual seeds, something with a hand crank actuator.
4. back to big hopper.. would be kinda sweet for laying out ground cover for new lawns. ground up hay
5. I bet that thing would be awesome for spraying some bear bait in the trees. mini marshmallows with anise on them. bet they would hum out of it. LOL spread them all over.

anyways .. just some random ideas and I really think it is cool.