Packer Harrow Uses Tines To Pack Soil

Packer Harrow Uses Tines to Pack Soil TILLAGE EUIPMENT Harrows 9-6-2 "It's the first and only packer that packs the soil at seed level and leaves loose soil above," says Paul Gutschmidt, chief engineer and plant manager, Summers Mfg. Co., Inc., Maddock, N.Dak. The company has come up with a new packer harrow that uses sloping "reversed" harrow teeth to pack seed and soil at seed level rather than from above, replacing the need for heavy spiral packers. The new "Superpacker" has five rows of conventional harrow teeth up front and three rows of packer teeth at rear. Adjustable compression springs allow the packer teeth to exert as much pressure per foot as conventional sprial packers. The key advantage is that they pack at seed level and below. The new packer harrow can be used for either pre-seeding seedbed preparation, or for post-seeding packing to draw moisture up to seed level. In addition, the packer units can be locked up into the up, non-operating position, transforming the machine into a conventional harrow. The heavy trash-clearing 14-in. packer teeth are staggered every 2 1/3 in. to provide uniform packing over the entire seed bed. "The idea is to leave relatively loose soil above the packed seed area. This discourages weed seed germination and provides a natural moisture barrier by breaking up the capillary action that would otherwise draw moisture to the surface. In effect, this traps moisture at seed level. It also eliminates problems associated with spiral packers, such as crust formation, seedling resistance, and limited soil aeration," says Gutschmidt. The 56-ft. wide "Superharrow" sells for $9,200. Other sizes are available. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Summers Mfg. Co., Inc., P.O. Box L, Maddock, N. Dak. 58348 (ph 701 438-2855).

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