Table of Contents

Mechanical Delay

Mechanical delay is the average time for a product to reach the ground after an ON or OFF command. It may need to change with each machine, implement, and display combination.

NOTE: To reduce potential occurrence of gaps in coverage, do not adjust mechanical delay settings while applying product or planting seed.

The following applications require Mechanical Delay settings:

Measure Mechanical Delay

Delay times in examples are not true for every machine. Determine delays for a particular machine or implement.

Sprayers

In a self-propelled sprayer, the average physical reaction time of the system is 1.0 second. Liquid continues to fall to the crop canopy past 1.0 second.

To determine the ON delay, press master switch ON and measure amount of time until product hits the crop. To determine the OFF delay, shut master switch OFF and measure amount of time until product stops flowing.

Liquid handling system takes longer to react when turning on than when turning off due to liquid pressure differentials. Turn on time is often slightly greater than turn off time.

Planters

Row-crop planters generally set ON delay between 0.5—1.0 seconds, and OFF delay to 0.3 seconds.

Use Performance Tuning in Section Control application to adjust initial measurements.

Seed delay time is from when the switch is selected in cab, clutch stops, seed meter stops, and all seed has reached soil. Largest delay is usually the time from when seed leaves the meter disk, travels in the seed tube, and reaches soil.

Air Seeders

Air seeders set delay times depending on air seeding tool configuration and product being applied. Largest delay is usually the time from when product leaves the meter, travels through the air system, and reaches soil. Smaller tools usually have lower delay times, while larger tools may require larger delay times. Delay times may be different between operations due to the mechanics of the air cart system.

To perform measurements, turn on fan, open half width disconnects, and utilize calibration switch to rotate meters.

For ON delay, measure time it takes from when the switch is toggled to when product exits the openers at the outside of the implement. For OFF delay, measure the time it takes from when the switch is toggled to when product exits the openers at the center of the implement.

Dry Spreaders

In a dry spreader, the average physical reaction time of the system is 1.0 second. Product continues to fall to the crop canopy past 1.0 second.

To determine the ON delay, press master switch ON and measure amount of time until product hits the crop. To determine the OFF delay, shut master switch OFF and measure amount of time until product stops dispensing.

ON / OFF times vary based on product rate. Feed gate height, CFR value, and machine speed affect the product rate. Turn on time is often slightly greater than turn off time.