Zero Till Seed Cum Fertilizer Drill

General information:-

Zero-till seed-cum-fertilizer drill has become a very useful and important agricultural machine for the farmers. Ithelps them to seed a crop directly into the cultivated field just after the harvest of the previous crop with the leastdisturbance of the soil. It eliminates or reduces time and energy intensive conventional tillage operations reducing the cultivation costs and risk of Phalaris minor in wheat apart from improving crop yields and farmers profits. Zero-till seed-cum-fertilizer drill comes in many sizes like 11 Tyne, 13 Tyne and 15 Tyne.

Major components and their description:-

1. Seed Box
2. Metering plate
3. Seed tube
4. Frame
5. Tyne
6. Ground wheel
7. Seed rate adjusting lever
8. Seed cup
9. Seed boot
10. Hitch point linkage
11. Depth Control Wheel

About machine:-

The zero-till drill frame is rectangular and fabricated by welding construction. Size of secure bar is 2830x60x60.
Size of MS sheet, flat & angle is 800x62x10 (2 nos), for supporting seed and fertilizer box is 430x490x3 (2nos).
With the help of U-clamp you can adjust the row spacing.
The drill has three standard hitch points; two lower and one upper. The machine is attached to tractor through these three hitch points with the help of link pins. The top link hitch point also helps in leveling the machines.
An Iron stand or platform is also attached to the rear side of the frame
One person can either stand or sit on thisPlatform while the machine is in operation just to keep a watch that the seed and fertilizer are running properly through the respective plastic tubes without any blockage. This is just a precautionary measure and not are requirement base. It may be mentioned that this practice enables the sitting person to remove the rakedresidues as well. Therefore, it is advisable if this practice is followed.
Furrow openers are attached to main frame with the help of nuts/bolts. The furrow openers wear out or twist very fast. Therefore, these should be repaired frequently. The worn-out ones should be removed/replaced as and when required.
There are two Box 1 is for seed and 2nd is for fertilizer which is attached with frame. There is a depth control wheel; by this we can adjust the height of machine working.
Before sowing, the front and rear tines should be in same horizontal plane, this leveling of tines can be done by adjusting top link of tractor.
Metering plate, is set on both boxes ‘seed & fertilizer box’. By this we can set the seed and fertilizer capacity.

Planting operations:-

Following points must be kept in mind before actual planting operations.

Seed should be of good quality and free from dirt and dust.
All the nuts and bolts, rollers and springs should be thoroughly checked, defective parts should be replaced and nuts/bolts properly tightened.
Seed and fertilizer boxes, fluted rollers, fertilizer metering shaft should be thoroughly cleaned.
Fluted roller shat should move freely, otherwise the rollers may be broken.
Feed cups should be thoroughly cleaned and obstruction if any, must be removed.
Ensure that plastic pipes do not have excessive bend. This will block the free flow of seed and fertilizer in tubes.
Furrow openers should be fitted on the frame according to the requirement (row to row distance) of the crop.
There should be no crossing or twisting of furrow openers.There are two Box 1 is for seed and 2nd is for fertilizer which is attached with frame.
There is a depth control wheel; by this we can adjust the height of machine working
.Before sowing, the front and rear tines should be in same horizontal plane, this leveling of tines can be done by adjusting top link of tractor.
Metering plate, is set on both boxes ‘seed & fertilizer box’. By this we can set the seed and fertilizer capacity.

Maintenance and repair:-

A well maintained and properly adjusted seeding machine gives trouble-free service for a long time. It alsohelps in timely completion of operations.

Seed and Fertilizer boxes:-

The boxes should be thoroughly cleaned as these may rust very fast due to environmental moisture. This will damage the boxes, and machine will not be useful for the next crop sowing season. The boxes must be cleaned as under :
Raise the machine above ground so that the drive wheels move freely.
Remove seed and fertilizer from boxes.
Open the flow gates of seed and fertilizer cups.
Rotate the drive wheel till the seed and fertilizer from different seed and fertilizer cups are emptied.
Clean the boxes, and cups with the help of a cloth or brush.
Wash the machine rollers/seed/fertilizer boxes with diesel to avoid rusting.
Apply lubricating oil at appropriateplaces (bushes and sides of metering rollers).

Drive wheel:-

Drive wheel should move freely. If it is jammed, then apply grease or put oil in its bushes. If axle of wheel is bent or worn out, replace it.
Drive wheel should be round, if it is bent then repair it.
Sprockets of drive wheel and feed shafts (seed and fertilizer boxes) should be properly aligned.
All sprockets should be properly tightened on their shafts so that these may not move freely on these shafts.
Feed shafts should move freely. If these are jammed due to rusting, then clean and apply lubricating oil/grease in
the bushes.
Bent drive shafts should be repaired or replaced.
Seed and fertilizer boxes should be thoroughly cleaned for free movement of feed shafts.
Chain and idler sprocket should be properly tightened so that proper chain tension is maintained and mechanism moves freely.
Worn out parts, loose, broken and worn out bushes should be replaced.

Seed and Fertilizer tubes:-

These are mostly plastic tubes connected to seed/fertilizer cups and their lower ends are connected to seed boots.
Tubes should be connected to seed/fertilizer cups with the help of clamps so that these may not come out duringfield operation.
Tubes should be protected from bending and breakage.
Old/bent tubes should be replaced.
Excessive bend in the tubes should be avoided otherwise the bend will cause obstruction in free flow of
seed/fertilizer and results in non-uniform

Furrow openers:-

Furrow openers are attached to main frame with the help of nuts/bolts. The furrow openers wear out or twistvery fast. Therefore, these should be repaired frequently. The worn-out ones should be removed/replaced as
and when required.

General instructions:-

All the components of the machine should be painted.
Machine should be protected from rain, dirt and dust etc. during its storage.
Moving parts should be greased/oiled at regular intervals so that the machine gives a trouble free service for along time.
User’s training will lead to improvement in the performance of the machines.

Safety instructions:-

Don’t wear loose clothing or muffler to avoid from being caught in a control lever or rotating part.
Never bring a child close to the tractor.
Children or people who have no knowledge of the operator’s manual and the safety labels on the zero drill, are not allowed to operate the zero drill.
People who are physically unfit or otherwise not able to operate the
Zero Drill, are not allowed to operate the Zero Drill.
People under the influence of alcohol. Pregnant women, tired people are not allowed. People under 16 years of age are not allowed to use the ZeroDrill.
Please do not touch any rotating parts of machine while it’s working.
Please check all the bolts and nuts regularly.
Before using the machine, please replace lost or damaged parts.
Do not allow anyone to remain between the tractor and the unit, while it is being coupled or uncoupled.
Likewise, do not stand between the tractor and the zero drill.

Lights and indications:-

Before transporting the machine on public roads, ensure that all legally required lights and indicators are inplace. Ensure that lights and indicators are clean and in a good working order. Replace any missing or broken
equipment.

Do not Step on machine:-

Please never step on the machine, it may risk of falling or damage device.
Children as well as old age people, are not allowed near the working area.

Precautions when driving on public road:-

Dimensions:-
Depending on the dimensions of the machine, the relevant authorities to ensure that it can be legally transportedon public roads.
If the machine is over and maximum legal size, follow the local regulation for special transport of oversize equipment.

Precautions to take, before using the machine:-

Wear the appropriate protective clothing for the work in hand (gloves, shoes, goggles, helmet, ear- protector etc.)
Before operating the machine, ensure that all the safety guards are firmly in place and in good condition.
Immediately replace any worm or damage guard.Safety is the first; please do not compromise with safety, while working on machine, because it can cause major injuries or death. So always be aware about the safety instructions.

Daily or every 10 hours work:-

Tighten all bolts and nuts
Check the Chain & its Drive wheel
Grease all Bearings.There should be no bend on seed and fertilizer tubes.

Weekly or every 50 hours work:-

Oil/grease to the feeders
Oil/grease idler sprocket
Check the tyne and its blade

Before operation:-

The primary responsibility for safety with this equipment, falls to the operator. Make sure the equipment isoperated only by trained individuals, that have read and understand this manual. If there is any portion of this
manual or function you do not understand, contact your local authorized dealer or the manufacturer.

After operation:-

Machine should be properly cleaned after operation. Wash all moving parts, Seed and Fertilizer Box at the end of the season.
Store the machine on a solid surface in a cool and dry place.