Jump Start Commercial Heat Mat 60 x 21 in, 140W, with 6 ft Cord

Commercial Seedling Heat Mat: The 60 x 21 in Base Unit

This is the base unit of the Jump Start commercial propagation system, a heavy-duty 60 x 21 in seedling mat drawing 140 W at 120 V. Jump Start is the propagation line from Hydrofarm, and Hydrofarm rates the mat to warm the root area 10 to 20°F over ambient temperature. That footprint takes six standard 10x20 flats laid crosswise, which is where the commercial label earns its place. The mat plugs in on a 6 ft cord and weighs about 6.35 lbs, light enough to move between benches. Connectors are waterproof, a real concern on a bench where trays drip every time they are watered. It is ETL listed under registration 2001955 and carries a 3-year warranty. Unlike the add-on mats, this one carries the power cord, so every chain starts here. One condition is not optional. Hydrofarm specifies the Jump Start digital thermostat, model MTPRTC, and it is sold separately.

Using Bottom Heat Across a Full Propagation Bench

Bottom heat speeds germination and rooting more than almost any other single change in the propagation room. Warm plugs push roots while cooler air above the dome keeps top growth compact. The thermostat matters because a mat running open can overheat plugs and cook young roots. Set the probe in the medium, not on the mat surface. Up to four MTMDA add-on mats daisy chain to this unit, for five mats and 700 W in total. That load sits comfortably inside the thermostat's 1000 W rating and draws under six amps on a standard circuit. Run the chain along one bench so the probe reads conditions typical of the whole run. Growers starting a single tray at a time are better served by a smaller 10x20 mat. This system pays off when you are rooting hundreds of cuttings on a schedule.

Key Features

• 60 x 21 in Footprint: Room for six standard 10x20 flats laid crosswise.
• 140 Watts at 120 Volts: Warms the root zone 10 to 20°F above ambient temperature.
• Waterproof Connectors: Built for benches that drip every time the trays are watered.
• Modular Base Unit: Carries the power cord and accepts up to four MTMDA add-on mats.
• ETL Listed, 3-Year Warranty: Listed under ETL registration 2001955.
• Thermostat Required: Pairs with the Jump Start MTPRTC digital controller, sold separately.

Technical Specifications