Farm Star MCB-6 - Manual (Page 6)

Safety Information
All equipment is potentially hazardous. There is no substitute for a cautious, safe-minded operator who
recognizes potential hazards and follows reasonable safety practices.
When the use of hand tools is required to perform any part of assembly, installation, adjustment, maintaining,
repairing, removal, or moving the implement, be sure the tools used are designed and recommended by the
tool manufacturer for that specific task.
Personal protection equipment including safety glasses, safety shoes, and gloves are recommended during
assembly, installation, operation, adjustment, maintaining, repairing, removal, or moving the rear blade.
Always use two people to handle heavy, unwieldy components during assembly, installation, removal, or
moving the rear blade.
Never place any part of your body where it would be in danger if movement should occur during assembly,
installation, operation, maintaining, repairing, removal, or moving the implement.
Never place yourself between the tractor and implement while implement is in operation.
Do not work under a raised implement unless it is securely blocked or held in position. Do not depend on the
tractor hydraulic system to hold the implement in place.
A heavy load can cause instability of the tractor. Use extreme care during travel. Slow down on turns and
watch out for bumps. The tractor may need front counter-weights to counter-balance the weight of the
implement.
Never use alcoholic beverages or drugs which can hinder alertness or coordination while operating this
equipment. Consult your doctor about operating this machine while taking prescription medications.
Do not allow others to ride on the tractor with an operator. Riders are subject to injury such as being struck by
foreign objects or being thrown off. Riders obstruct the operator’s view resulting in unsafe operation. Never
allow anyone to ride on the implement!
Before you operate the rear blade, check over all pins, bolts and connections to be sure all are securely in
place. Replace any damaged or worn parts immediately.
Do not allow anyone who is not familiar with the safety rules and operation instructions to use this rear blade.
Never allow children to operate or be around equipment.
Use stabilizer bars, adjustable sway chains, or sway blocks on your tractor lift arms to keep the rear blade from
swinging side to side. Adjust as tightly as practical for best performance.
2 5
When using the rear blade in a reverse position use
extra care - DO NOT RAM REAR BLADE into dirt
piles! Tractor lift arms and the rear blade are not
built to take high impact loads in this position. RAM-
MING backwards can also dislodge operator from
seat and/or tractor controls, resulting in possible
serious injury or death.
C A U T I O N !
Watch for and avoid hidden obstructions, i.e.,
buried pipes, rocks, concrete piers, or uneven slabs
of concrete, when operating, or blade damage may
occur. This is especially true when removing snow.
C A U T I O N !
Be sure your tractor is in good condition and
properly equipped with counter weights. Read all the
safety precautions and make sure all tractor
operators are familiar with the safety rules of tractor
operation.
C A U T I O N !
O P E R AT I O N
Your rear blade can be used for all types of blade
work, including casting, side ditching, leveling, terracing,
grading, bulldozing, and snow removal.
1. CASTING: The blade should be angled horizontally –
only enough to allow the material to slide along it
easily. The vertical angle (tilt) of the blade must be set
to suit conditions. This is controlled by the lift arm
leveling assembly (turnbuckle) on the tractor 3-point
hitch.
2. SIDE DITCHING: The horizontal angle should be at
its sharpest. This is obtained by removing the shift pin
and turning the moldboard so that the last hole in the
circle plate is in line with the shift pin hole, then
replace the shift pin. It is suggested that the blade be
set in an offset position and then use the shorter
blade side to be the cutting side. This reduces the
load movement on the end of the blade.
The vertical angle of the blade (tilt) is adjusted by
means of the adjustable turnbuckles on the tractor 3-
point hitch. For the sharpest angle, lengthen the
center link on the tractor as far as possible. Also,
lower the adjustable leveling turnbuckle as far as
possible.
3. LEVELING: The blade should be straight across, i.e.,
90˚ to the line of travel of the tractor, in other words 0˚
horizontal angle.
There should be 0˚ vertical angle, i.e., the lift arms
on the tractor 3-point hitch should be parallel to the
ground.
The cutting pitch of the blade should be the oppo-
site of that used in side ditching and casting, with the
cutting edge behind the top edge of the moldboard.
This adjustment is made with tractor center link.
4. TERRACING: Use a combination of ditching, casting,
and leveling. The first cut is into the hillside in the
ditching position. Continue until the terrace is at
proper depth, then switch to the casting position until
the terrace width is established. It may be necessary
to use the leveling position to complete the job.
5. BULLDOZING: When bulldozing, the blade is in
reverse position. Depending on the job, the casting,
side ditching, or leveling position may be used. Snow
removal can also be done with the blade in this
position (blade in reverse, cutting edge away from
tractor).
(NOTE: Most blades are damaged in this position –
use extra care – DO NOT RAM blade into snow or
dirt piles!)
6. GRADING: Grading is a combination of casting, side
ditching, and leveling. Snow removal can also be
done with the blade in this position (cutting edge
toward the tractor).
These suggestions are generalities; best results will be
obtained after some experience.
NOTE: Do not load either end of the blade heavily. Try
to balance the load on both ends of the blade.
M A I N T E N A N C E
1. Periodically check all bolts and tighten where
necessary.
2. Check the shift pin for excessive wear and replace if
necessary.
3. Repaint parts where paint is worn or scratched to
prevent rust.
4. Store rear blade in a clean, dry place.