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Fertilizer Applicator Trails Behind Planter
New liquid fertilizer placement kit mounts behind each planter row unit to accurately place fertilizer without disturbing the seedbed and requires no modifications to your planter, according to Hawkins Mfg., Holdrege, Neb.
The "Trail Place" consists of a pair of offset 14-in. opening discs supported by an adjustable, horizontal steel bar that bolts to the planter's parallel linkage and also to an arm attached to the depth control gauge wheel. Fertilizer drops through a stainless steel tube and is placed up to 3 in. below the seed and 2 1/2 to 8 in. off to the side.
"It doesn't interfere with tillage attachments mounted in front of the planter and always provides good seed to soil contact. Works great for any type of tillage system," says Kevin Ohlman, who along with father Don and brother Dave invented the unit. "Other liquid fertilizer attachments mount in front of the planter and often require a second toolbar because there isn't enough room for them. Sticky liquid fertilizer causes the depth gauge wheels to ball up with mud resulting in poor seed-to-soil contact, and packer wheels seal soil over the top of the fertilizer. On our unit, fertilizer falls into a slot made by the offset opening discs, creating a `diffusion chimney' that allows air to reach the fertilizer for maximum efficiency.
To adjust the position of the attachment, simply loosen a nut and slide the steel bar forward or back. By loosening a clamp you can pivot the opening discs from side to side to place fertilizer closer or farther away from the seed. "The stainless steel tube allows use of all liquid fertilizers including acid-based fertilizers," notes Ohlman, who adds that both right and left hand units are available to eliminate side draft.
Fits all planter models except Case-IH. Sells for $235 per row.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Hawkins Mfg., 2120 E. Fourth Ave., Holdrege, Neb. 68949 (ph 308 995-4446).


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1991 - Volume #15, Issue #6