Solo Hand Seeder Settings for Med. Red Clover @ 12lbs. per acre.
- Thread starter Joe Buck
- Start date
wiscwhip
5 year old buck +
I can't give you anything specific as to the settings, but I will offer this. Consider seeding the plot at 1/2 rate while walking in the north-south direction and the other 1/2 rate while walking in the east-west direction. This is far better to ensure complete and even coverage than going one heavy dose of seed in one direction. Also, if you are going to use a "filler", use pellet lime or course grained sand.
bueller
Moderator
I look inside the empty spreader and move the gate until it's cracked open about 3 times larger than the seed I'm spreading. I then set the stop at that position. For clover and brassicas I'd estimate I open it an 1/8" at most. Close the gate, fill the spreader, and get to walking. I use no filler and have extra seed left to make an additional pass or passes over the plot.
bbcoach
5 year old buck +
No specific setting that I know of either. I normally just add the recommended seed, open the gate slightly and walk until the seed is gone. I always plan to make at least 2 passes and utilize what's left perpendicular to what is already down. This way the seed gets spread evenly. No filler for me. I can normally see the grayish white coating on the seed after it hits the ground.
Seeder opening is only half the equation. You also have to factor in your ground speed. I recommend opening your seeder just enough to get the seed flowing and walking as quickly as you can. After a plot or two you’ll get a feel for it.
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Tree Spud
5 year old buck +
Seed half the rate, walk twice the distance ... or measure how many seeds are hitting your knuckles ...
That’s what I shoot for. I’ll have bare spots if I only walk it twice!
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yoderjac
5 year old buck +
Forget the settings. There are too many variables like your walk speed and pattern, especially if the ground is uneven. Here is what I do. I measure out the amount of clover seed that I want to apply to a particular field based on the rate. I only put clover seed in the Solo and use no carrier. If I'm planting a mix unless the seeds are very close in size and density, I'll only plant one seed at a time. This ensures more even coverage. I don't do this when I'm in a hurry, but I find I get patches and I prefer a better distribution.
I start by walking and cranking just opening the seed door slightly. You can seed the seed broadcasting out as you walk. Make note of how wide the pattern is. Unless it is raining, I remove the top so I can watch the seed level go down. On this first pass I know the opening is to small and only a percentage of seed will be delivered. This ensures I get some seed over the entire field and don't run out too early.
After I've completed the first pass and watched the seed level drop, I open the door more and begin a second pass. By now, I have a pretty good idea of how much seed is being broadcast given my walking speed. By the time I finish this second pass I'm pretty close. If there is any seed left, I just zig-zag across the field to distribute the remained.
I have found this method much better than trying to get the right rate on a single pass. Even when I got it right and recorded the setting, the next time I tried to use that setting I ran out too soon.
Thanks,
Jack
How fast your rotating the handle has to be factored in as well .. definitely a two pass perpendicular pattern minimum
bueller
Moderator
Should be good timing, steady rain predicted for Monday followed by some cooler weather.
