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How to Calibrate the Agrowdrill AD083

Correct calibration of your AD083 seed drill will improve metering and result in more cost-efficient sowing. There are four steps to calibrating your seed drill.

May 2, 2022
AD083 Calibration Tray

AD083 Calibration Instructions

The below steps will aid you in calibrating the main seed and fertiliser box of your AD083 seed drill. 

TIP: There are a number of factors that influence sowing rates. These tables are offered as a guide only; your machine may need slightly different settings. We recommend you calibrate your machine according to the following instructions and re-check the results after a hectare with the metering system to ensure consistent and accurate results.

Step 1: Set Gates and Restrictors

    1. Check the recommended restrictor and gate settings for your seed and/or fertiliser in the table below.
    2. Fit restrictors to your seed rollers as described in the table. 
    3. Adjust the roller gates according to the recommended rate. 

Recommended Gate and Restrictor Settings

Seed/fertiliser

Gate setting

Restrictors fitted
Lupins 1 None
Barley 0.6 2 of 4
Oats 0.8 None
Wheat 0.6 2 of 4
Sorghum 0.6 2 of 4
Canola 0.2 3 of 4 (leave fine tooth exposed)
Sub clover 0.2 3 of 4 (leave fine tooth exposed)
Lucerne 0.2 3 of 4 (leave fine tooth exposed)
Ryegrass 0.2 2 of 4
Single super 0.8 None or 2 of 4
DAP 0.6 None or 2 of 4
Urea 0.6 2 of 4
 

Recommended Restrictor Positioning

[ View larger Image ]

Roller Gate Adjustment Levers

The roller gate adjustment lever is located on the right-hand side of the machine. 

AD083 Gate Adjustment Lever

It can be adjusted by rotating the handle anticlockwise to loosen the handle, then sliding the lever to the desired setting. Once in place, rotate the handle clockwise to lock it in place. 

NOTE:  The gate setting lever allows broad calibration changes, usually based on seed type and size. Do not adjust gate settings to increase the application rate . This can be adjusted using the rate adjustment levers, which allow for much more precise changes. 

Restrictor Positioning

The fluted seed rollers have a fine and a coarse side. This design allows both small and large seeds to be accurately metered. Apply restrictors by positioning them sideways above the seed roller and twisting them into place in the adjustable stoppers. There should be an audible click as they are positioned. 

Fluted Rollers and Restrictor Illustration

To reposition a restrictor:

    1. Grasp the rear arm of the restrictor and gently twist the arm sideways to release it from under the adjustable stopper.
    2. Remove the restrictor.
    3. Reinsert the restrictor into the new position or leave out as required.

Step 2: Set Sowing Rate

    1. Set the rate adjustment lever to the desired application rate (measured in Kg/Ha) as described in the calibration chart.

Rate Adjustment Lever

The rate adjustment lever can be found on the varibox,  which is located on the left-hand side of the platform.
AD083 Rate Adjustment Lever

To adjust the rates, rotate the handle anticlockwise to  loosen and slide the lever up and down to the desired setting.  Once in place, rotate the handle clockwise to lock it in place. 

AD083 Seed and Fertiliser Calibration Chart

AD083 Agrowdrill Calibration Chart

[ View larger Image ]

NOTE: This chart is a guide only. Seed sizes can vary between varieties, from season to season, and crop to crop. Oaten and barley varieties in particular, can also be affected by the cleanliness of the sample. Always check the application rate prior to sowing.

Step 3: Calculate Actual Sowing Rate

Once the sowing rate has been set, you need to measure the actual volume of product being passed through the seed rollers in order to adjust the sowing rate to your target output. 

What you will need:

    1. An accurate set of electronic scales (+/- 2 grams). A set of scales is supplied with each machine.
    2. A small amount of seed and/or fertiliser.
    3. The use of five outlets.

Weigh and Calculate:

    1. Add the seed or fertiliser being calibrated to the seed box. You need enough to completely cover the outlets being calibrated. The outlets being calibrated are the ones that feed into the calibration collection tray. 
    2. Remove the spacer tray from the calibration box (pictured) 
      Agrowdrill Spacer Tray
      and replace it with the calibration collection tray (pictured). 

      Agrowdrill Collection Tray
    3. Prime the seed rollers by inserting the calibration handle and rotating anti-clockwise until product appears in the collection tray. 
    4. Empty the collection tray and replace it back under the seed rollers.
    5. Turn the seed rollers (via the calibration handle) the number of turns specified in the 'crank handle turns' section in the table below. 
    6. Weigh the resulting product and calculate the application rate (in Kg/Ha) according to the following formula. Use the calibration table to find the correct calibration factor for your machine. 

Target Application Amount (kg / Ha) = Weight Collected (grams)  x Calibration Factor

Calibration Table

AD083 Model

10 rows

11 rows

17 rows

18 rows
Sowing rows 10 x 175mm 11 x 159mm 17 x 159mm 18 x 150mm
Sowing width 1.75m 1.75m 2.70m 2.70m
FarmScan pulse metres 1.270 1.439 1.439 1.524
Collect from no. of hoses 5 5 5 5
Crank handle turns 63 63 41 41
Calibration factor 0.100 0.110 0.170 0.180

  

Step 4: Adjust Sowing Rate to Suit Desired Output

    1. Use the rate adjustment levers to make minor adjustments to the sowing rate if necessary. 
    2. Repeat Step 3 and recalculate the sowing rate until the target output is achieved. 
    3. Remove the calibration collection tray and replace it with the spacer tray.
Place a known amount of seed in the hopper and calculate the expected area to be covered with this quantity of grain. Review the application rate by sowing that area and confirming the correct amount of seed has been sown. 
Previous article Recommended Restrictor and Gate Settings
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