Cylinder Seeder Technical Tips
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Calculating PLC Inputs
To determine center to center sow distances for PLC inputs you must carefully measure the tray and do some calculations. You can measure in inches and then change the fractions of an inch into the decimal equivalent, or to avoid having to make the fraction-to-decimal conversion, make the measurement in metric. It is easy to do if you have a metric scale.
It may also be easier if the tray is over turned and the measurement made drain hole to drain hole. Measure from the beginning of the first hole/ row to the beginning of the last hole/row on the tray. The example below is for the 512 CE tray, thus the 31 row figure (one less than the number of rows in the tray, since the eye determines when the head starts to place the first row). Thus for the 288 the number would be 23.
>>/ = Divided By
501.6MM / 25.4 mm/inches = 19.748
19.748 / 31 Rows = 0.637 inches is the PLC input (512 CE)
Using Inches

19 3/4"
Convert the 3/4 into decimal (3/4 = .750)
Combine that with the 19” and divide by the number of rows.
19.750 / 31 rows = 0.637 inches is the PLC input (288 CE)
Common Inputs (top)
Dimensions for Common Blackmore Plug Trays
512CE = .637”
288CE = .850”
128 = 1.234”
200 = 1.000”
384 = 0.844”

Punch ‘n Gro™
432 = 0.55”
432 Deep = 0.74”
432 N = 0.67”
324 = 0.74”
324 N = 0.74”

Chain Installation (top)
The chain used is #25 stainless steel. It does not require lubrication. The chain must be of sufficient length so the idler arm is never more than parallel (three o’clock, see image below) with the conveyor belt, ideally somewhat lower, while still providing adequate tension. If sowing a deeper tray or direct sowing it may be necessary to add a few links to the chain or install a longer chain to maintain proper tension.
Idler Arm at 4 o’clock Position
Cylinder Head Operation Diagram – Normal and Common Problems (top)
Timing Wheel and Proximity Switch PLC & Clutch / Brake Models (top)
Clutch / Brake Model (top)
The procedure is different for PLC and Clutch/brake models. The proximity switch/sensor, senses the steel pins in the timing wheel and sends an electrical pulse to the counter, thus counting each row of seed sown.
To set the timing wheel on a clutch/brake model perform the following operations:

Make sure the set screw in the timing wheel is not tight. Wheel should turn easily on the shaft.

Install cylinder on seeder. Adjust air gap as shown, 1/32” (1 mm).

Turn on seeder, vibrator, and vacuum pump.

With the “SEEDER” switch in the neutral position, load a row of seed onto the cylinder head by turning the cylinder head in a counter-clockwise rotation. Raise the row of seeds out of the tray approximately ¼” (6.3mm)

Turn the timing wheel so the set screw hole is accessible. When the metal pins in the wheel pass in front of the proximity switch, the light on the switch should come on. The light should go out when the pins are not lined up with the switch. If this is not the case, adjust the air gap until this is achieved. Tighten the plastic thumb screw when the proper adjustment is attained.

Stand on the sprocket/chain side of the seeder, rotate the timing wheel on the cylinder shaft in a clockwise rotation, until the light just comes on. Be careful not to move the cylinder itself. Now, with the seeds ¼” (6mm) out of the tray, tighten the set screw in the timing wheel.
PLC Model (top)
To set the timing wheel on a PLC controlled model perform the following operations:

Make sure the set screw in the timing wheel is not tight. Wheel should turn easily on the shaft.

Install cylinder on seeder. Do not install the chain. Adjust air gap as shown, 1/32” (1 mm).

Turn on seeder, vibrator, and vacuum pump.

With the “SEEDER” switch in the neutral position, load a row of seed onto the cylinder head by turning the cylinder head in a counter-clockwise rotation. Pick up a row of seed so the row is just coming out, or even with the surface of the seed tray.

Turn the timing wheel so the set screw hole is accessible. When the metal pins in the wheel pass in front of the proximity switch, the light on the switch should come on. The light should go out when the pins are not lined up with the switch. If this is not the case, adjust the air gap until this is achieved. Tighten the plastic thumb screw when the proper adjustment is attained.

Standing on the sprocket/chain side of the seeder, rotate the timing wheel on the cylinder shaft in a clockwise rotation, until the light just comes on. Be careful not to move the cylinder itself. Now, with the seeds even with the tray, tighten the set screw in the timing wheel.
Cylinder head sows only four (4) rows (top)
The operator has pushed the ENTER more than once, so the number of rows to sow has changed to 4 etc.  See below, from section V, PLC Instruction/operation of the Cylinder seeder manual

TO PRELOAD
              CONVEYOR ON
              AUTO MODE ON
              PRESS “ENTER”

Screen 5

To preload, have the vacuum, compressor, vibrator, conveyor and “AUTO” switches on. Press “ENTER”. Seeder will load the cylinder with the proper rows and position. Seeding can now begin. Preload will run while in this screen only. Caution: When preloading, press “ENTER” only once. There is a slight delay from when the key is pressed and when the seeder loads. If the key is pressed a second time before the cylinder loads, it may change the number of rows to be seeded (to 4, 5, or 8 depending on the number of options on the cylinder head) and the “#ROWS IN TRAY” will have to be re-entered.