Cleaning Wires -- Small, Medium, Large (top)

Cleaning wires are available in Small, Medium and Large sizes, stamped S, M, L into the handle of the wire holder. A set of medium wires is provided with the machine.

S (Small Wire) (.006) -- for non-stop begonia manifold only

M (Medium Wire) (.008) -- for #1, #2, #2½ rubber tips, red needle, small multi-hole

L (Large Wire) (.012) -- for large-hole manifolds, orange, blue, purple and large needles, and large-multi-hole manifolds
Clutch Adjustment (top) PDF
The Blackmore Turbo/Needle seeder is equipped with a clutch drive which advances the containers. A belt from the motor transfers power to the clutch which in turn drives another belt going to the drive/timing wheel. In the middle of the seeder, beneath the main drive wheel from the motor shaft is a knob on the clutch which is used to adjust the clutch tension. To gain access to this knob, increase the tilt adjustment to maximum, or lift the control panel and prop it up while making the adjustment.
Adjusting Clutch Tension
Turn the knob clockwise (as you look at it from the back of the control panel), to increase tension and decrease slippage. Turn it counter-clockwise to decrease tension and allow the clutch to slip more easily. This will also allow you to rotate the drive/timing wheel in order to properly time the seeder for sowing various containers.
Timing marks (arrows) are located on the face of the drive/timing wheel and on the body of the seeder above the wheel. These marks should be aligned when the manifold is in the seed exhaust position. If they are not, rotate the drive/timing wheel (keeping manifold in seed exhaust position), until the two marks meet. This will ensure proper positioning of the plug tray beneath the drop tubes. (see the section on setting top pushers and timing mark alignment)

Test-run the seeder to be sure the marks align on each subsequent rotation. Grasp the plug tray as it tries to advance, checking to see if the clutch slips. After making any necessary adjustments, be sure to re-align the timing marks.
Direct Sowing Into Market Packs (top) PDF Video Also Available
The versatility of the Turbo/Needle seeder permits it to directly sow into a market pack such as a 12-04, 8-04, 6-06 or even 18-01. This is most often done for crops such as melons, cucumber or other vegetables, although alyssum is another crop that does well directly sown. The direct sow kit consists of:

1) a special pusher assembly (the #1, #2 and #3 pushers must be removed)

2) a special drop tube with special mounting bolts (¼-20 x ½ socket head cap screws)

3) a support plate for the flat in the machine

4) a pusher bearing guide block that fits near the container limit switch

The direct sow pushers index on the top of the flat, but towards the middle of the tray for positive guidance. The shorter plastic drop tube allows clearance for the flat and is used to direct the seeds from several tips into one cell pack. Needle or other manifolds are used to sow the seeds with the requisite number of tips blocked. The indexing system is adjusted typically using the #4 or #5 hole on the wheel to provide sufficient stroke for the chosen container. The kit is installed in about 10 minutes. The direct sow drop tube may be used on Gear model machines, but that machine does not have the mechanism to index the trays through the machine so they must be pushed by hand. The container switch may also have to be “hot wired” if it cannot be adjusted to the tray.
Direct Sow Kit Installed
Double Row Sowing (top) PDF

The Blackmore Turbo/Needle seeder may be fitted with a special Double Row kit allowing it to sow 300+ trays per hour.  Seeds as large as cucumbers and melons, may be handled by the special drop tube, but normally peppers and tomatoes are sown with this attachment for vegetable field transplant applications. The special drop tubes, manifolds and seed tray required to sow two rows simultaneously in the 128, 144, 162, 200, 216, 288 or 338 (special parts required) are mounted on the seeder in the same way as are the standard attachments. When double row sowing, the #2 pusher must start in the second row of the plug tray. It may also have shorter fingers.
Double row drop tube sows two rows of seeds per cycle.
Drive/Timing Wheel & Rod Connector Block Chart (top) PDF

Refer to this chart to determine which holes to use on the Drive/Timing Wheel and Rod Connector Block to properly position the tray beneath the drop tube. Also refer to the section on timing mark alignment. The Wheel controls the stroke. The larger number the farther the tray will be indexed. The Rod controls where the #3 pusher stops the tray.

The Wheel, Rod and Timing Mark settings a crucial to accurate positioning of the tray beneath the drop tube.

Drive Spring Assembly – Replacement Procedure (top) PDF

If the bearings on the drive spring assembly become worn, it may be necessary to replace the unit. Obviously it must be replaced if bent or broken. Follow the procedure below as best you can.

When replacing the drive, match the spacing between the bearings on the new drive with that on the old. To do this, remove the old drive and lay it on a sheet of paper. Mark on the paper the positions of the bearing blocks located on the shaft. If there is a spacer between the nut on the end of the shaft and the bearing block, it must be removed and placed behind the nut on the new shaft. Failure to do this can change the “pause” time in the seed tray. Now match the two drives against each other and adjust the nuts as needed to give the correct bearing spacing. Lay the new drive against the marks on the sheet of paper and adjust the nuts to align bearing blocks with the marks. The spacing on the new drive should match that on the old drive if the “dwell” time in the seed pick up position is to be the same.
Electrical Schematic/diagram - NEW (top) PDF
Electrical Schematic/diagram - OLD (top) PDF
High Pressure Cleaning Automatic- Check Procedure (top) PDF
Blackmore’s exclusive high pressure air BLAST cleans the tips on the Turbo/Needle/Gear seeders automatically every cycle. Verify from time to time that this important function is operating, by putting your hand in front of the tips as they go through the “nine o’clock” position after exhausting seeds down the drop tube. If you don’t feel a blast of air, check the reading on the vacuum/pressure gauge. The needle should flip over to 12-15 psi just for a fraction of a second when the high pressure air comes on. That is usually enough to clear a tip, although sometimes it may take several “hits”. When smaller tips (#2 or #2 ½ or clear or red needles) are used the volume of air coming through the holes is very small and may be more difficult to detect. The gauge should still verify the high pressure.

If the high pressure air isn’t working, it could be due to a failed valve or switch/switch signal or not enough air from the pump. Pull the hose off the connection to the 2-way valve and place your thumb over the end of the hose to verify that pressure builds up. Make sure the relief valve on the pump itself is set correctly; there should be a small amount of air coming out the pin hole on top of the adjusting screw. No air from the pump? It could be caused by corrosion in the head as discussed in “droop the loop” (see pumps section). Next check the cam switch to make sure it clicks “on” when it drops onto the flat spot on the motor cam wheel. If it “feels good” it probably is good.

If it has been a while since the valve was replaced or inspected check that next. A special spanner wrench nut provided with the seeder or your replacement valve(s) makes it easy to disassemble the valve after removing the coil (be sure to shut off the power first to protect the coil). The 24 volt signal to the valve can also be checked with a meter. If the machine has been stored for a period time a spider might have built a nest in the valve or hose barb. Blow air through the lines to make sure they are clear.

The machine will operate without the high pressure BLAST, but the operation will not be optimal, especially if the seed is dirty or irregularly shaped causing it to stick in the tips. If you are not getting a BLAST, go through the steps above. If those don’t ascertain the problem, give Blackmore a call and we’ll help you trouble-shoot it.
High Pressure - Momentary (top)
To achieve a momentary high pressure with the low pressure button to help clear a tip, place your finger over the relief valve orifice thereby blocking it, and push the manual air button above the motor. This will aid in clearing clogged tips.

Achieve temporary High Pressure with manual low pressure switch by activating switch while holding a finger over the relief/adjust valve
Hose Connection Diagram (top)
Low Pressure Jar Blow-off (top)
Stop the plastic low pressure filter jar from blowing off by replacing it with the aluminum can assembly shown. The plastic jar, softened by the heat from the pump may be blown off by the pump exhaust pressure in the filter jar assembly.
The aluminum can on the new assembly prevents this and has been standard equipment on new pumps since the year 2000. Ask for part number AB609B (¼ NPT) for ⅓ HP pumps or AB608A (⅜ NPT) for ½ HP pumps. The filters in the can and plastic jar should be cleaned or replaced every 100 hours of operation. More often if the machine is being used in a dusty environment.
Manifold list - Blackmore Turbo/Needle and Gear model seeders (top)
2 Hole: Double sowing of small seed such as alyssum
* 3 Hole: Triple sowing of small seed
Vinca/Verbena: Large double hole
Lobelia: Counter-bore, four holes standard
Begonia: Counter-bore for raw seed; single or double hole; Non-stop: Single or double
Snapdragon: Counter-bore; Single or double: Over and under sizes also available
Double hole rubber tip: For small pelleted seed, e.g. begonia; Specify #2 or #3
* #1 Petunia: Counter-bore for raw petunia
Undersize: Typically for red seed
Oversize: Available for white seed
#1 Double hole: For double sowing raw petunia
Packages of rubber tips (20/pkg)
Gasket to block manifold holes
NEEDLE MANIFOLDS - specify tray(s) to be sown.
Recommended for seeds pansy and larger or palletized seed
* Standard equipment on turbo model “kit”
Manifold to Seed Size Chart (top)
Needle Color
Corresponding Rubber Tip
Seed Size
Lavender
NONE (.006”)

Clear
#2 (.008”)
petunia, snaps
Red
#2½ (.010”)
impatiens, tomato
Orange**
NONE (.013”)
pansy, tomato
Blue*
NONE (.016”)
marigold, cabbage
Purple**
NONE (.020")
pepper, coated marigold
Pink
NONE (.023")

Green
NONE (.033")
melons, cucumber
Amber
NONE (.053”)

Olive
NONE (.060”)

Opaque Orange
BLANK TIP

* *recommended for most applications
Needle Cleaner Assembly (top)
Individual needles may be removed from the manifold and cleared with high pressure air.
 Use the following procedure:
  1. Remove needle from manifold and twist it onto the needle cleaning assembly nozzle.
  2. Open shut-off valve on assembly. It may also be necessary to open (minimize)vacuum adjust valve.
  3. Place finger over low pressure adjust/relief valve to force air through tip.
  4. Remove/replace needle and close shut-off valve.
Solenoid Valves (top)
The only valve currently available for Turbo/Needle/Gear models is the V-7, but some older machines may have the V-5 valve. The latter must be replaced as no parts are available. The V-7 is a good upgrade to have as this valve is much longer lived. The parts list for the V-7 valve is included with the Turbo parts list images download. These illustrations give you an idea of the valve assembly.