Opico air 8 problem

[jd24]

I have an opico air 8 seeder. I have calibrated the unit twice and it's spot on(used the calculation method).
I have just seeded a 6 acre field and I have about 1.5 acres worth of seed left. Confused?
One thought I had is could air be leak out of the lid and blowing seed back up? Past the roller.

PS does anyone have a new/used rough seed metering roller? I got quoted a price the made me fall out of the cab and swear back at there dealer.

 

[scholland]

Check the drive belt isn't slipping. How old is it?

 

[Matt77]

Do you have correction error percentage you can adjust, do on mine, but I can't for the life of me think what's it's called, it's in the special menu on mine, 2015 machine, I have it at -4.00% on OSR and it's spot on, +6.00% on Avadex I think.

 

[jd24]

I'm over seeding grass.
I'm using the calibration procedure for the machine where you turn the wheel 50 times then you multiply that length by the width. I should get 0.427kg . Which I do perfectly. If the belt was slipping I wouldn't get the right amount would I?
When I go into the field it clearly isn't dropping that.

What's this correct all about?

 

[Matt77]

Ah I'm on radar so ignore me! There's a figure I have to adjust after calibration and you can only work it out in field with use. Do you have the flap on yours that you adjust for size of seed? Have you taken the roller out and cleaned behind it? Just sprouting ideas really as seems odd it's holding on to seed, I'm normally putting too much on if I have a problem.

 

[jhorr30]

Got rid of our opico seeder years ago.
Couldn't cope with high rates of grass seed and speed.
Instead of gears it has cams and Bellville washers inside that can slip with the strain of a high volume of grass, especially rye grass with no clover in it. newer machines have a baffle inside them to help take the weight of grass off of the roller.
If you have too much back pressure in the hoses it will blow the seed up into the hopper rather than down the tubs. the same happens if the lid seal has a leak.
If you are going fast on a rough seedbed the metering wheel can bounce and not drive properly. If the drive cable is worn or insufficiently greased it can cause drag causing similar problems.
mounted an accord box on our harrows with a hydraulic fan. now use 24 outlets over 6m and have no problems with seed rate.

 

[scholland]

I'm over seeding grass.
I'm using the calibration procedure for the machine where you turn the wheel 50 times then you multiply that length by the width. I should get 0.427kg . Which I do perfectly. If the belt was slipping I wouldn't get the right amount would I?
When I go into the field it clearly isn't dropping that.

What's this correct all about?

The belt might not slip when you're turning the wheel slower than when seeding.
Blocked pipe?

 

[jd24]

Ah ha! I'm missing about 6 inches off my lid seal. It's blowing when I close the kid and turn the fans on..I think this might be the main cause for being low on seed rate.

I suspected my meter roller was worn but it looks fine. PS I was quoted 409+VAT for a new one. It's a tiny piece of moulded plastic!?!? I couldn't believe it.

 

[chris1953]

Check the drive belt isn't slipping. How old is it?

How do you adjust the drive belt ?
I can't see anything in the manual tyelling you how to do it

 

[Flatlander]

Although you got the problem sorted on my drill I have to crank a handle to calibrate. But when I crank it it’s alway slightly higher than actual rate due to the fact the crank generally whizzes round and less product can fall into the meter. Very noticeable on oats. Your grass may flow when turning slowly but in the field with vibration and settling might bridge