Description
Early efforts to mechanize wildland seed harvesting focused on development of vacuum units to speed wildland harvest of shrub, forb, and grass seed to meet increasing demands. Emphasis was initially placed on backpack and vehicle-mounted units that could be operated under field conditions.
Application
Vacuum collectors are useful for collecting large shrub seeds that were easily dislodged from the plant and lightweight shrub, grass, and forb seed. Consistent issues in early vacuum collectors were inadequate suction, damage to seeds, backpack and hose weight, and site access where a vehicle was required for transport or to carry a compressor. In most cases, the machine was not more efficient than hand collection. Recently, more successful units, such as the Jet Harvester with adjustable air flow, have been designed for use in nurseries and seed fields.
References / Additional Information
Halderson, J.L.; Howard, C.G. 1991. Fourwing saltbush seed harvester development-Progress report. In: Rangeland Technology Equipment Council. 1990 Annual Report. 9122-2805-MTDC. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Technology and Development Center: 60.
Jorgensen, K.R. 1979. Air amplified seed collector. 33rd Annual report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW). 1979 February 11-12; Casper, WY: 17-18.
Plummer, A.P. 1979. Lightweight seed collector development at SDEDC. 33rd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW). 1979 February 11-12; Casper, WY: 17-22.
Monsen, S.B. 1978. Backpack seed collector (ED&T 2623). 32nd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW). 1978. San Antonio, TX: 13.
Monsen, S.B. 1978. Backpack seed collector (ED&T 2623). 32nd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW). 1978. San Antonio, TX: 13
Monsen, S.B. 1979. Air amplifier seed collector trials. 33rd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW). 1979 February 11-12; Casper, WY: 18-19.
Monsen, S. B. 1981. Seed harvesting. 35th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1981 February 8-9; Tulsa, OK. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Equipment Development Center: 29-30.
Monsen, S.B. 1985. Seed harvesters – An evaluation of existing machines and projected needs. In: 39th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1985 February 14-15; Salt Lake City, UT. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Equipment Development Center. 36-39.
Plummer, A.P. 1980. Seed harvesting. 34th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW). 1980 February 10-11. San Diego, CA. 14.
Van Epps, G.A. 1978. Prototype seed harvester for fourwing saltbush. 32nd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW). San Antonio, TX: 13-14.