Truax Seed Slinger- "Calibration" Questions

[IowaBowHunter1983]

didn't realize "calibration" was set by ground speed until I put it together today.

Before I go thru the process of laying out a tarp and trying to count seeds I was wondering if anyone have some starting points on ground speed for straight switch to get around 8#/Acre out of the small seed box?????

How about a BB, Indiangrass, switch blend in the NWSG box?

I think I am going to try to rig it to compact tractor instead of ATV which it is designed for so I can use cruise control.

Any starting point info would be helpful.

Thanks.

 

[goatman]

Been awhile but I do remember I won't use it for switchgrass seed. I never got it set low enough where it didn't pour out. Worked great for BigBlue but only slung it maybe 6 to 7 feet. Which wasn't bad on a 4 wheeler because you could see your tracks. Works great for fluffy seed. If you fill the box keep track of the seed and make sure it doesn't bridge over when planting.

 

[IowaBowHunter1983]

Been awhile but I do remember I won't use it for switchgrass seed. I never got it set low enough where it didn't pour out. Worked great for BigBlue but only slung it maybe 6 to 7 feet. Which wasn't bad on a 4 wheeler because you could see your tracks. Works great for fluffy seed. If you fill the box keep track of the seed and make sure it doesn't bridge over when planting.

Interesting on the switch.... the small seed box actually has an adjustable opener that goes down to nothing, so it doesn't "appear" that would be a problem.

 

[DannyBoy]

I dilute clean seed with pine bedding. Have heard cheap cat litter, slightly moistened, is even better. Rather than count seeds, I use my #/acre rate to calibrate. Use equal parts seed and medium of choice (by weight), only mixing a small amount at first. Run it through your seeder for 15 seconds and weigh what is on your tarp. Figure out then how much ground you covered at various speeds and make adjustments from there (add more or less medium). If your ground is rough at all, aim a bit low with your calibration as bouncing will put seed out heavier.

 

[IowaBowHunter1983]

Messed around today planted 10 acres. It worked great for striaght switch out of small seed box. Easy to make micro adjustments. I only wish the small seed box was bigger. It will be great for brassicas and clover.

it worked terrible for bluesteam /Indiangrass/switch mix out of NWSG box. Just puts out WAY too much seed. I quickly stopped until I can cut some materials to cut the seed mix with.

Overall, mixed review from me.

 

[fl3157]

I was very pleased with Seed Slinger on the WSG/Forb mix I planted several years ago. I did not use the small hard seed box.

After testing seed coverage, I ended up going with 6 MPH and was covering 6' - 8' depending on wind. The mix I used included Little Blue, Indian, Switch, 15 different Forbs and Alfalfa. It was all mixed together from dealer. The seed was debearded and relatively clean of large stems. Lots and lots of stopping and filling the hopper to cover 116 acres. I think it was around 8 lbs. PLS PER acre, after covering it all I had 1 50 lb. bag left, which I spread at a higher of seed.

A couple years later I help a neighbor broadcast some Little Blue, big difference how that worked without any hard seed or other carrier to keep the seed flowing. Had to keep the hopper full, because when it got to half empty the augers weren't sending much seed thru.