Heavy-Duty Spoke Injection System

Heavy-Duty Spoke Injection System FERTILIZER APPLICATION Fertilizer Application (58f) 21-5-3 "We've been getting 22,000 to 25,000 acres out of our spokes before having to rebuild or replace them," says Bryan Jones, U.S. distributor of a new-style durable spoke fertilizer injection system. The spoke wheel concept of injecting liquid fertilizer into the root zone was first introduced by Cady Systems Inc., Reasnor, Iowa, in the 1980's. It never really caught on for various reasons, including that wheels weren't built heavy enough to stand up to all soil conditions. Now, Jones is introducing an improved design developed by Pattison Bros. Agro Ltd. of Lemberg, Sask. It consists of a one-piece stainless steel 2-in. dia. hub on a 1 in. dia. spindle. Twelve reversible and replaceable 4-in. spokes are attached to a 21-in. dia. stainless steel wheel. A rotary valve inside the hub delivers fertilizer to the spoke while it's in the ground. It also regulates the amount of solution to the spoke so each spoke receives the same amount. The wheels mount on a folding harrow-type 4 by 4-in. drawbar that folds to 8 1/ 2 ft. for transport. The design permits "nesting" fertilizer approximately 3 1/2-in. deep every 5 in. Typically, in Jones' area with mellow volcanic ash soils, a 50 or 60-ft. applicator (12-in. spacing) is used to inject up to 65 gpa of 28 or 32 percent liquid nitrogen at 5 mph in small grains, canola, mustard, etc. It can be used on any growing crop, however, and in nearly any soil type, including rocky ground, he says. "We're realizing maintenance costs of just 30 to 40 cents per acre on the 80-ft. rig we're running," he notes. Sells for $325 per wheel. Several different styles of spring arms for regulating downpressure are available, as are stainless steel spokes instead of standard hardened mild steel. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bryan and Kathy Jones, Spoke Application Systems, 81654 S. Juniper Canyon Rd., Helix, Ore. 97835 (ph/fax 541 457-2662).

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