Seed Saver Turns Off Selected Rows

Seed Saver Turns Off Selected Rows PLANTING EQUIPMENT Accessories 8-2-23 An Iowa farm equipment dealer has come up with a new "seed saving" planter attachment designed to turn off selected planter row units to seed end rows or odd corners of irregular-shaped fields. Dave Heisterkamp, owner of Heisterkamp Equipment Co., Inc., Onawa, says his planter add-on lets you shut off either side of the planter with the flip of a switch, saving seed and chemicals and improving yields on outside rows by eliminating the need to double-plant some rows. The 12-V solenoid-activated, wrapped-spring clutch system fits any planter or drill with a round or hex-shaped drive shaft, including Deere's Max-Emerge, Kinze, Allis Chalmers and others. it's not designed to fit International air planters. The coupler mounts in the driveshaft on either side of the planter transmission. On narrow-row planters it fits between the parallel linkage mechanisms. On grain drills it installs near the drive wheels. The clutch is engaged instantly by rocker arm switches in the cab. The complete do-it-yourself kit includes shut-off mechanisms for both sides of the planter. You can either shut off all the rows on either side, or mount them so that only a selected number of rows shut off. Each unit handles up to 7 rows per side. On larger planters, you simply add more shut-off units to shut down all rows. The shut-off clutch itself is just 4 to 5 in. wide and 6 in. long. It installs in about 1 1/2 hrs., according to Heisterkamp. It sells for $795 and comes with all wiring and parts needed. For more information, contact:FARM SHOW Followup, Heisterkamp Equipment, Co., Inc., 814 Pearl Street, Onawa, Iowa 51040 (ph 712 423-2337).

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