Great Plains P13114 2005 Operator Manual - Manual (Page 27)

27 CultiPress
Operating Instructions
4. Adjustment / Operation
4.6 Pitch Control
Pitch control on the CultiPress is governed
by the quantity of shims fitted to the depth
stops attached to the drawbar cylinders. In-
creasing the number of shims will lift the front
of the chassis when lowered into the work
position. Ensure that equal quantities of shims
are added or removed from each cylinder.
Running the CultiPress level allows the front
and rear press rings to give an even consoli-
dation and clod crushing action, with the
sprung leaves of the levelling board aiding the
clod crushing action, aligning the clods for the
front row of rings.
Running the machine significantly nose down
or raised will reduce the load on the rear axle
leading to loss of drive of the axle and then
blockage, together with a reduced consolida-
tion effect.
If any roll axle starts to block regularly, this is
generally an indication that the roll axle is not
tight. Failure to keep the axles tight results in
loss of drive between each pair of rings al-
lowing rings to turn individually on the axle.
Should this occur the axle must be tightened
immediately to prevent any damage occur-
ring to the axle shaft.
If the roll axles start to block regularly this may
also be an indication that the ground condi-
tions are too wet for the CultiPress to be ef-
fective.
In practice it is possible to use the CultiPress
on ground conditions that are unsuitable to
achieve the desired effect, and it is usually
possible to operate the machine without regu-
lar blockage under such unsuitable conditions,
assuming that the axles are tight and rings
smooth.
As such, especially under wet conditions, it
is advisable to check on the cultivation effect
of the CultiPress. Often the use of the press
12 - 24 hours after the disc or longer follow-
ing the plough gives a far superior surface
consolidation effect.
When the CultiPress is used tilted onto the
rear row of rings the loading on the disc har-
row or tractor drawbar is increased. This will
cause the rear of the disc to dig deeper mov-
ing the rear gang to the right. Shortening the
disc harrow levelling springs should allow the
disc harrow to pull straight again. Equally, in-
creased tractor drawbar loadings will deepen
wheelings requiring more effort to eradicate
these.
It is not necessary to tilt the CultiPress onto
the transport wheels during headland turns
whether the machine is used independently
or in tandem with a disc harrow.
Fully extending the drawbar cylin-
ders and then reversing into the
headland furrow could lead to dam-
age of the cylinders.