Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can The Handler Seed Treating System be used for any type of seed treatment? or inoculant?
Q. Why is The Handler Seed Treating System not suitable for solvent based treatments?
Q. Can I leave seed treatments or inoculants overnight or longer in the Handler tanks?
Q. What is different about The Handler Seed Treating Systems from the others on the market?
Q. Where would twin tank units be used?
Q. How does the spray assembly that comes with the system work?
Q. What do you consider as one of the most important issues concerning seed treating?
Q. Do you have any recommendations on the type of seed or application rates to use?
Q. What happened to the knife?
Q. Why isn't my question here?

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Q. CAN THE HANDLER SEED TREATING SYSTEM BE USED FOR ANY TYPE OF SEED TREATMENT? OR INOCULANT?

All Handler Seed Treating Systems are designed for pre-mixing, agitation, recirculation, pumping and application of all water based seed treatments and liquid inoculants.

The Handler Total Coat™ Seed Treatment Applicator can be used to apply virtually any liquid or peat based product.

NOTE: If you would like to apply peat based inoculants as a slurry then we recommend Handler Seed Treating System models that have the larger double diaphragm pump rated at 6.0 gpm at 50psi. Pumping slurries is much like pumping mud… therefore it requires a larger more powerful pumping system with larger valves and diaphragms. The larger motor (1hp electric or 5.5hp Honda gas) with the larger double diaphragm pump offered on the Handler 1 or 3 systems is suitable for commercial use. The Handler is not suitable for solvent based seed treatments.

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Q. WHY IS THE HANDLER SEED TREATING SYSTEM NOT SUITABLE FOR SOLVENT BASED TREATMENTS?

The manufacturer of our pumps will not warrant the them if they are used for solvent based treatments. They are concerned about the possible effect to pump components plus the risk of fire or explosion due to flashing off of the solvent carrier.

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Q. CAN I LEAVE SEED TREATMENTS OR INOCULANTS OVERNIGHT OR LONGER IN THE HANDLER TANK?

That really depends on the treatment and if there is risk of freezing?

Firstly, do not leave Thiram® or any product that settles out quickly in the tank overnight or longer. These products will be hard to re-suspend when resuming operation and could plug or damage the system. It would be best if these products were pumped out into appropriate containers and labeled (I have used 5 gallon pails with good tight fitting lids for this purpose). Then flush the system with water, save the flush water for later use. When resuming treating later on just shake or stir the seed treatment and pour/pump back into the Handler tank.

If the seed treatment or product has solids that settle out over a longer period of time and are easily re-suspended then it is reasonable to leave it in the tank overnight or for longer.

If the equipment is at risk of freezing then it is highly recommended that the seed treatment or inoculant be removed from the Handler. The tank then should be flushed with water and drained. After flushing it is also possible to run a small quantity of plumbing antifreeze or winter windshield washer fluid through the system to prevent damage from freezing. HINT: Leave ball valves open to prevent possible damage from frost.

ATTENTION: Always follow chemical manufacturers label instructions. Check with supplier or manufacturer for specific uses and precautions. Check with provincial or state environmental departments regarding the disposal of small quantities of chemicals, chemical containers and wash water.

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Q. WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE HANDLER SEED TREATING SYSTEM FROM THE OTHERS ON THE MARKET?

There are a number of features that make the Handler Seed Treating Mixing System an excellent choice:

· Cone bottomed tank allows for complete removal of product.
· Large capacity pumps allow for excellent agitation even while delivering product to the application equipment. 
· Polypropylene fittings that are strong, light and chemical resistant.
· Large Y or T strainers to prevent any foreign objects from entering the pump or plugging application equipment.
· Durable polyethylene tanks that are graduated for calibration or application purposes.
· Flexible agitation system that utilizes either or both jet agitators or a bypass system.
· Stainless steel screws and clamps to prevent corrosion.
· Larger units can be used for any water based seed treatment or liquid inoculant plus peat based inoculants as a slurry.
· The Handler Seed Treating System can be easily adapted into an estate or spot sprayer.
· Simple and accurate to use.
· Complete and ready to use (spray assembly included in each unit).
· Can be used with other application systems on the market (for example: G3 · Applicator from Grahams Seed Farm and some Gustafson application systems).
· Strong welded steel frame.

Because it is constructed from fiberglass, The Handler Total Coat™ Seed Treatment Applicator is lightweight, yet durable, and it has the chemical resistance properties of stainless steel without the costs.

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Q. WHERE WOULD TWIN TANK UNITS BE USED?

Twin tank units allow having two different products mixed and ready for application. This makes switching over of treatments easier. One tank could also be used for water to flush the system at the end of the treating session.

NOTE: Although you can apply two products with The Handler Total Coat™ Seed Treatment Applicator, the twin tank units only have one pump and can only apply one product at a time.

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Q. HOW DOES THE SPRAY ASSEMBLY THAT COMES WITH THE HANDLER SEED TREATING SYSTEM WORK?

The spray assembly is a Combo-Jet Nozzle body mounted on to a stainless steel bracket. The unit is strapped on the lower part of an auger tube and the spray is directed at seed dropping onto the flighting. The rates are determined by matching flow rate with grain flow. A calibration jug is supplied to assist in setting the correct rate of product once grain flow is known. Changing pressure or nozzle sizes will control the rate of seed treatment applied.

For more accurate application use The Handler Total Coat™ Seed Treatment Applicator.

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Q. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES CONCERNING SEED TREATING?

There are a number of issues but what affects quality and effectiveness of seed treatments considerably is the evenness of application. The best way to obtain an evenly applied product is to do a good job on primary application. What happens after good primary application only improves the quality. For example: an auger makes a reasonable piece of equipment to do the final mixing if seed was evenly applied beforehand.

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Q. DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE TYPE OF SEED TREATMENT OR APPLICATION RATES TO USE?

No. We do not give recommendations on the type of seed treatments to use or their application rates. Please contact the manufacturer or provincial specialist for specific recommendations. Always follow label instructions.

General nozzle flow rates are provided with The Handler Total Coat™ Seed Treatment Applicator, and have been provided to us by the nozzle manufacturer.

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Q. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE KNIFE?

You must be thinking of The Handler Crop Protection Systems.  While we are the same company, and the tanks are the same size, the crop protection systems are quite different from the seed treaters.  Click here to see the crop protection systems.

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Q. WHY ISN'T MY QUESTION HERE

That is a great question.  If you have any queries or comments please do not hesitate to contact us.  We will do our best to answer your question and add the answer to this page.

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