Farm Star T55-74 - Manual (Page 20)

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O P E R AT I N G I N S T R U C T I O N S
P R E - O P E R AT I O N C H E C K L I S T
(OWNER/OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITY)
____ Review and follow safety rules and safety signs on
pages 5 through 15.
____ Check that tiller is properly and securely attached
to tractor.
____ Make sure driveline spring-activated locking pin or
locking balls operate freely and are seated firmly in
tractor PTO spline groove.
____ Lubricate all grease fitting locations. Make sure
PTO shaft slip joint is lubricated.
____ Check to be sure gear lube runs out the small
check plug on side of gearbox and chaincase.
____ Check that all hardware is properly installed.
____ Check to ensure blades are sharp and secure and
properly positioned.
____ Check that all shields and guards are properly
installed and in good condition.
____ Check skid height, front to rear attitude and top link
adjustment.
____ Place tractor PTO and transmission in neutral
before starting engine.
____ Set tractor PTO gear select lever for 540 rpm
operation.
____ Inspect area to be tilled and remove stones,
branches or other hard objects that might be
wrapped or thrown, causing injury or damage.
____ Check that no one enters the area of machine
operation. Always work at a safe distance from
roads, built-up areas, or populated places.
____ Know your controls and how to stop tractor, engine
and PTO quickly in an emergency. READ THIS
MANUAL AND THE ONE PROVIDED WITH YOUR
TRACTOR.
____ To avoid accident or injury, do not allow anyone to
operate this equipment without proper instructions.
Any person who operates this equipment must be
instructed in and be capable of the safe operation
of the tractor, implement and all controls.
O P E R AT I O N
During operation, the 3 pt. lift must always be fully low-
ered with the draft control and position devices disen-
gaged so that they are unable to influence the work
depth of the tiller.
This should only be regulated by means of the side
skids on the machine itself.
Lower the 3 pt. hitch until the tiller tines are near the
ground. With the tractor engine at a low speed, engage
the PTO. Slowly increase the engine speed until the PTO
540 rpm speed is reached.
Then slowly lower the 3 pt. hitch and tiller into the
ground. Shift tractor into forward gear and start tilling.
NOTE: Do not allow the tiller to drop violently on to the
ground. Lower it slowly to allow the knives to gradually
cut into the soil.
Violent impact would strongly stress all machine com-
ponents and could cause serious damages.
At first, begin tilling at a slow forward speed and then
shift up until the desired result and forward speed is
achieved.
Optimum working forward speeds will usually be
between 1 to 2 mph. The type of soil, soil moisture,
amount of crop residue or crop growth and depth of oper-
ation are all factors that will determine proper forward
speed.
Remember to shift down to a lower forward gear if
speed is too fast. Maintain engine speed so PTO is oper-
ating at 540 rpm.
S H E A R B O LT DRIVELINE
T25 MODELS
Tiller drive components are protected from shock loads
by a M6 shear bolt.
If the shear bolt fails, replace with a M6 x 40 long hex
bolt (Gr. 8.8 part number 320217). Torque nut to 7-9 foot
pounds. On a temporary basis, you can use a
1 / 4 ” – 20
NC x 1 1 / 2 ” long grade 5 bolt. This is softer than the
320217 bolt and will shear easier.
Shear bolt failure can be avoided by engaging the PTO
slowly at low engine rpm and rotor above ground.
19
____ Check that PTO driveline shields are securely
locked and clears the front of the tiller frame and
the swinging drawbar.
NOTE: This type of damage is not covered under
warranty, as it is totally under the control and the
responsibility of the operator.
O W N E R S E RVICE (continued)
T R A N S P O RT I N G T R A N S P O RT I N G
IMPORTANT: Always disengage the PTO driveline
before raising the tiller to transport position.
1. When raising the tiller to the transport position, be
sure that powershaft does not contact tractor or tiller.
Adjust the tractor’s 3-point hitch lift height so that the
tiller Tines are not lifted more than 14 inches off the
ground to prevent damage to the powershaft.
If it is necessary to lift the unit higher to navigate
rough terrain, always disconnect the PTO driveline
from the tractor first.
2. Be sure to reduce tractor ground speed when turning;
and, leave enough clearance so the tiller does not
contact obstacles such as buildings, trees or fences.
3. Select a safe ground travel speed when transporting
from one area to another. When traveling on
roadways, transport in such a way that faster moving
vehicles may pass you safely.
4. When traveling over rough or hilly terrain, slow down
and use extra care.
5. Read all the safety warnings in the front of the manual.
• Never store equipment with fuel in the tank inside a
building where fumes may reach an open flame or
spark. Allow engine to cool before storing in an
enclosure.
• Do not run engine indoors – exhaust gasses contain
carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly poison.
• At the end of the working season or when the tiller will
not be used for a long period, it is good practice to
clean off any dirt or grease that may have accum-
ulated on any of the moving parts.
• Check the tines for wear and replace if necessary. See
Tine Replacement in this manual.
• Inspect the tiller for loose, damaged or worn parts and
adjust or replace if needed.
• Lubricate as noted.
• Disconnect tiller driveshaft from tractor PTO.
• Collapse driveshaft as far as possible and store it to
prevent ground contact. Place blocks under tiller side
skids. Lower onto blocks, disconnect mower from
tractor 3-point hitch, and carefully drive tractor away
from tiller.
• Sand areas where paint is chipped or worn and
repaint to prevent rust. Lubricate all pivot locations on
tiller to prevent moisture damage during storage.
• Always store in a safe place away from children or
livestock.
D I S M A N T L I N G
When the machine is no longer usable and must be
dismantled, remember that it is almost completely made
of ferrous material.
The only potentially polluting components on the
machine are the lubricants. To prevent them from pollut-
ing the environment, spread a waterproof tarpaulin on
the ground, position the machine on this and then drain
out the lubricants which must be collected in suitable
containers.
Now dismantle the machine, separating the compo-
nents in the following way:
– Painted Parts
– Ferrous Parts
– Plastic Parts
Contact those companies that are legally authorized to
dispose of such materials.
C A U T I O N !
When traveling on public roads, whether at night or
during the day, use accessory light and devices for
adequate warnings to operators of other vehicles.
Comply with all federal, state and local laws.
Equip tractors with roll-over protec-
tion (ROPS) and keep all machinery
guards in place.
Keep children away from danger all
day, every day . . .
Please work, drive, play and live each
day with care and concern for your
safety and that of your family and
fellow citizens.