Frequently Asked Questions 
Below are the top 10 questions people ask about the seedster and its native seed farming technology. If your question is not on this list please contact us and we can answer your question.
How does the Seedster capture difficult to harvest seed?
What is the “Seedster Advantage”?
What are the most important effects of the Seedster’s revolutionary brush comb technology?
Does the Seedster require special harvesting equipment to run?
What type of service does the Seedster require?
Is service and repair support available?
Is the Seedster easy to operate?
1. How does the Seedster capture difficult to harvest seed?
Seedster patented technology consists of a brush and a combing drum moving in rapid counter-rotation. Counter-rotating in near contact the brush and comb form a “pinch point”. The grooves of the combs hold the seed stems firmly as the brush “plucks” (dislodges) the seed. The plucking action removes very little chaff or stems with the seed so the seed has a minimal percentage of impurities.
The rapid rotation of brush and combs form a stream of air. Plucked seed is propelled out of the “pinch point” in the air stream. The air stream carrying the seed is engaged by the pneumatic conveyance system and drawn through a cyclone separator for bagging.
2. What is the “Seedster Advantage”?
Because few impurities are dislodged with the seed, the Seedster eliminates the time-consuming separation of seed and chaff in the field. Separation of seed and chaff takes a combine harvester longer with grass seed than with grains because grass seed and chaff have similar densities. Often combines must limit ground speed to 1 mph or less to allow time for grass seed separation.
3. What are the most important effects of the Seedster’s revolutionary brush comb technology?
The Seedster will expand the availability of difficult-to-harvest native grass species and also increase the number of species available for reseeding for land reclamation and restoration of native grass stands.
The Seedster is uniquely effective in harvesting panicle inflorescence species. Nearly 80% of all perennial native grass species have a panicle inflorescence, and many of them are difficult-to-harvest with a combine, Flail Vac, or other strippers.
Seedster effectiveness with difficult to harvest species is expected to increase the number of native grasses available for reclamation or restoration reseeding. The Seedster will help correct the historical imbalance in favor of spike inflorescence species in reclamation efforts because spike inflorescence species are more effectively harvested by combine harvesters than panicle inflorescence species.
4. Is the Seedster a stripper?
The Seedster is not a stripper and it is not a combine. It is best thought of as a new innovation or technology and could be called a “plucker”.
5. Does the Seedster require special harvesting equipment to run?
The Seedster can be operated with a standard farm tractor of about 80 hp or more with loader arms and independent PTO.
The Seedster is easily mounted on the loader arms of a farm tractor which can be raised or lowered to harvest the native plant seed being collected. The PCS with bagging system is trailer mounted and is attached to the tractor's hitch and PTO.
6. How is the Seedster powered?
Hydraulic pumps are attached to the PTO to power hydraulic motors on the brush shaft, the comb shaft and the PCS fan.
7. What type of service does the Seedster require?
The Seedster was designed for maximum simplicity and to be easily maintained. Routine maintenance of the hydraulic system consists of visual inspection for fluid leakage at all hydraulic connections. For details, see the Seedster's operating manual.
To control contamination of harvested seed thoroughly clean the Seedster with a pressure air hose when changing from one species to another. Thorough cleaning of all components is estimated to take about 30 minutes.
8. Is service and repair support available?
The Seedster was designed to be as simple, durable, and maintenance free as possible. It is expected that repairs will be easily done on the farm. In the event of a serious problem, contact Pete Gannon at Midland West Manufacturing.
9. Is the Seedster easy to operate?
Seedster R & D emphasized ease of set up and operation for the first time operator. Once the Seedster is mounted on the tractor, adjust the operating settings for the species to be harvested as directed in the Seedster's operating manual.
10. How do I set up the Seedster?
Connect a standard farm tractor with loader arms to the Seedster mounting brackets. Place the hydraulic pumps on the PTO. Connect the Seedster trailer to the tractor hitch. The Seedster's operating manual details the steps in setting up the Seedster for optimal operation and safety.
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