Windell, Keith . 2012. Seed Vacuum Pickup System: Operator's Manual. 1224 2824. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program.

The Forest Service Southern Region Resistance Screening Center (RSC) technicians use seed screening to evaluate seeds for resistance to diseases, including pitch canker. The process requires seed loading, crushing, and testing in a sterile environment. To increase efficiency when loading seeds into the crusher, MTDC developed a vacuum seeder. This manual explains how to use the seed vacuum pickup system safely and efficiently.

For details about a seed crusher assembly built by MTDC for RSC, refer to the tech tip "Improved Seed Crusher and Vacuum Pickup Head for Seed Screening" (1224—2323—MTDC). Contact MTDC (dmucci@fs.fed.us, 406—329—3999) for the assembly drawing number MTDC—086.

Keywords: acrylic plastic, arbor press, drawings, fabrication, instructions, laboratories, pitch canker, polystyrene, prototypes, safety at work, vacuum, whitebark pine seeds

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