Chainless 4000 Instruction Manual

Chainless 4000 Bale Feeder Original Instruction

IMPORTANT Read this manual before operation HUSTLER EQUIPMENT INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

CONTENTS

Introduction................................................................................. 2 Important..................................................................................... 2 Specifications............................................................................. 3 Warranty ...................................................................................... 4 Warnings...................................................................................... 4 Maintenance................................................................................ 5 Operational Instructions.....................................................7-11 Adjustments.............................................................................. 12 Trouble Shooting............................................................... 13-15

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INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing a HUSTLER CHAINLESS 4000 BALEFEEDER. Please read through this manual as it contains important information which you need to know.

Please take special note of the warnings on page 4, routine servicing on page 5 and trouble-shooting on page 13-15 Correctly maintained and operated this machine will give many years of service. If you have any questions please contact the dealer who supplied you this machine. They have trained technicians who will be able to help you.

IMPORTANT • Please ensure this booklet is read and understood by every operator of this machine.

• Also ensure that this booklet goes with the machine if it is resold and is read and understood by owner.

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SPECIFICATIONS Feeder weight: 880kg empty

Pressure:

2250 - 2800 PSI.

Flow:

25 - 60 Litres/minute (our recommended minimum flow is 25 Litres/ minute)

Hydraulic Requirements:

12 - 60 L/min (our recommended maximum flow is 25L/min). 2 x sets of double acting hydraulics.

Tractor size:

Large enough to safely handle the bale feeder and up to 2 bales.

Hose connections:

Two x 4 hoses to inside lever which operates platform.

Recommended bale capacity: 2 x 1000kg bales. Up to 6’ round and 8’ square bales (with the optional extension bar.)

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WARRANTY

(4000 Bale feeder) The goods specified in the Instruction Manual as designed and supplied by the Manufacturer are warranted against faulty workmanship and defective materials for a period of 24 months from the date of purchase.

Such warranty is subject to the following conditions: 1. This warranty covers the repair or replacement of parts or machinery sold by the manufacturer and damaged as a result of the faulty workmanship or materials in such parts or machinery.

It does not extend to any other loss or damage including consequential loss or damage or loss to other property or persons.

2. Without limiting the senerality of paragraph 1 above, this warranty does not cover the following: a. Travel expenses. b. Damage caused by accident, misuse or abuse. c. Damage to any goods which have been altered or modified by someone other than the manufacturer or its authorised agent d. Damage or loss to the goods due to their unsuitability for any particular use or for using with any particular tractor except where such use or tractor had been specifically approved by the manufacturer. e. Damage or loss where the fitting and installation of the goods were not carried out By the manufacturer or its authorised dealer. f. Paint damage or wear. g. Wear and tear where Hustler deem the product to be in a high wear environment 3. Procedure for recovery under warranty. No loss or damage will be covered by this warranty unless the following procedure is followed by the purchaser a. The loss or damage should be reported immediately to the dealer (who will contact the manufacturer who will advise whether it is covered by the warranty and undertake the necessary action).

“This warranty shall be interpreted according to the laws of New Zealand and the parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the Courts of New Zealand.”

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WARNINGS • All persons must be kept well clear of machine in operation.

• Shut the tractor off and apply handbrake before trying to clear feed material or cut strings / net anywhere from around the machine.

• Before attempting maintenance or any work, ensure the tractor engine is shut off and no one is near the hydraulic controls.

• Do not allow any person(s) to ride on the machine.

• Always lift the platform to an approximate 45O angle when travelling regardless of with or without a bale.

• Watch carefully when driving, especially the width when travelling through gateways or near objects or people.

• Ensure the jack stand is properly latched in place before driving the tractor away.

• The machine is for off-road use only. If towing on the road, the law must be adhered to. The safety chain purchased from Hustler must be used.

• Take care when travelling with a bale up on the rear forks as this lessens the stability of the machine.

• Always ensure the rear loading forks are in ‘transport’ position when travelling (approximately 45º) • No alteration or modification is to be done on this machine unless undertaken by Hustler or its authorised dealer.

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MAINTENANCE (also do this before initial operation)

• Grease all points regularly.

• These are: - 4 x main drum bearings (remove the yellow covers and do not over grease).

– All pivot grease nipples including rear boom, latch/trip arm and cylinder pivot points.

– Inside the hook latch contact surface.

– On the trip reset plate by the left hand wheel.

• Keep the 2 drive chains oiled. Use a non-tacky black or brown chain lube monthly.

• Grease the wheel bearings annually or earlier depending on conditions. If the machine is travelling through water occasionally we recommend ADR High Tech Lithogrease 3 or equivalent.

• After the first 10 hours of operation: - Check wheel nuts are tight.

– Check the nuts on the tines are tight.

– Check draw bar bolts are tight.

• During routine servicing check that all the grub screws and bolts are tight.

• In a salty atmosphere keep grease on parts that are likely to rust i.e. pins, divertor valve and cylinder shafts.

• If rear chain is replaced or removed, ensure feed drums are timed correctly as shown;

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OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS Connecting bale feeder onto tractor • Connect the bale feeder to the drawbar of the tractor.

NOTE: The drawbar height can be adjusted by rotating the towing eye 180 degrees, (M16 Bolts should be torqued to 220Nm dry) • Connect the hoses so that: Lever 1 - lever back - platform lifts. (2 small hoses. Inside lever closest to driver.)

Lever 2 - lever back - rotors feed out. It will also operate the rear loading forks - see following page. (2 large hoses. Outside lever.)

• The hydraulic flow rate should turn the top rotor 1 turn/2-3 seconds. Many high flow rate tractors have an adjustable control.

Use this to reduce the flow to the required rate. If there is no flow adjustment, simply operate the tractor at low rpm.

• Some bales are just plain difficult for any feeder, however the CHAINLESS X5000 will generally feed these out. They will take a little patience and the feed rotors may need to be reversed.

• The hydraulic flow should actuate the platform at a smooth, controlled rate i.e. not too jerky or sudden.

• Familiarise yourself with the hydraulic controls on the machine.

Using your 2 hydraulic hand controls, 3 Hydraulic functions are achieved very simply.

Loading Mode • Lever 1 controls the platform only. Raise or lower as required. When the platform is right down - the Dirverter valve shuts and allows LEVER 2 to operate the rear loading mechanism.

• This is a built-in saftey feature, making it impossible to load a bale when the platform is in the up/raised position.

Feeding Mode • As the platform is lifted the diverter valve opens and with the platform in a slightly up position, even slightly, LEVER 2 will operate the feeding out rotors.

• (LEVER 1 continues to operate the platform.)

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Loading Wrapped Bales: • Loading Wrapped Round BalesFor loading wrapped bales - first remove the plastic wrap only (fig. 1). DO NOT remove string or netwrap at this stage.

NOTE: In most cases it does not matter which way the bale has been rolled up.

• With the platform right down (using lever 1), use lever 2 to adjust the height of the rear forks to suit the bale size/height (i.e. for a 5ft high bale, lift the forks until the indicator shows 5ft), then back the forks into the bale.

• Still using lever 2 raise the bale up off the ground and over towards the platform. To facilitate easy removal of the net on bales with net-wrap we recommend to stop just before the bale settles on to the platform (try not to let the bale start falling apart while removing the net). With the net removed finish lowering the bale onto the platform.

• Now withdraw the forks and lower the forks right back down to ground level. Once you hear the ‘clack’ of the loading mechanism resetting, you can then readjust the forks to pick up another bale if required.

• Next ALWAYS raise the forks, whether carrying a second bale or not, to the ‘transport’ position. (This keeps the forks safely away from animals etc.)

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OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS CONT. Loading Hay/straw Round Bales • For hay/straw bales with strings, lower the bale right down onto the platform then remove the strings (fig. 3).

• Knots may be hard to pull out - using a small stick as a grip makes it easier. If they are net wrapped, the bale will need unwrapping before lowering right onto the platform.

• Note the warning on the front indicator label ‘Do Not Lift Platform’ this shows that the forks are in a raised position high above the platform.

• Always return the forks back immediately after loading the bale.

Lower the forks right down to the ground, to reset, and then back up to the transport position, unless loading another bale.

• If loading a second bale, raise forks to selected bale height, then back the forks into the bale and raise to the transport position.

Transporting • Lift the platform up sufficiently to cradle the bale securely against the rotors while travelling. See sticker on the machine.

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Feeding Out Round Bales • Keep the platform at the recommended ‘ROUNDS’ position - then operate the rotors (using lever 2) to start feeding out.

• As the bale is fed out and the diameter reduces, raise the platform (using lever 1) to keep the bale against the rotors.

• Getting the bale turning is the secret to successful feeding out.

• The higher the platform, the better the chance of turning - even the most odd shaped bales.

Square Bales • When ready to feed, operate the rotors (using lever 2) to start feeding either one ‘biscuit’ at a time or intermittently.

• Most silage bales will tease out nicely. However some hay or straw bales won’t, especially if they were wet when baled. If several ‘biscuits’ are coming off together, lower the platform slightly and/ or reverse the rotors 1 turn then forward 4 turns, reverse, forward, continue.

• Near the end of the bale, lift the platform to help feed out the last bit.

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OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS CONT. TIPS for round and square bales • Drive in a circle slightyly to the right. This helps to see the hay feeding onto the ground . Select a higher gear to acheive thinner feed-out line if required.

• To feed out on a hillside, start feeding out the ‘down side’ rarther than the ‘uphill side’ to start the bale turning. After that any way is OK.

Brief Summary Rounds • To carry and feed out - set platform angle to ‘Band 2’ approximately 45 degrees Squares

• To carry and feed out - set platform angle to ‘Band 1’ approximately 30 degrees

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ADJUSTMENTS & INITIAL SETUP Adjusting Indicator Cable • When the forks are at the lowest position the indicatir should point vertically down.

• To adjust: Lower the rear forks to the fully down position, turn the dial indicator clockwise to point vertical down.

NOTE: Ensure inner cable is kept lubricated and free from any debris.

Adjusting the diverter valve • The diverter valve is adjusted so that the rear loading mechanism operates only when the platform is down. This is set at the factory but may need adjusting over time. Loosen the lock nut. With the platform right down, adjust the striker plate so the diverter valve just bottoms out.

• Then screw the striker plate in 2 turns (so diverter valve doesn’t bottom out). Tighten lock nut and re-test operation.

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TROUBLE SHOOTING Round Bales Problem: The rotors turn OK but the bale won’t revolve.

Suggested remedy: • The platform is not high enough.

• The higher the platform the more weight of the bale is on the rotors.

It may be too late if it has taken a ‘gouge’ out of the bale. Remove the bale and try again.

• The speed of the rotors is too fast, chewing off some hay before the bale has time to turn. Slow down the top rotor to 1 revolution every 2-3 seconds.

• Clean platform and spray silicon onto platform.

Problem: Hay or silage ‘jams’ in the wiper panel.

Suggested remedy: • Reverse the rotors one turn only and then forward again.

• The wiper panel may need adjusting. Increase the clearance between the drum and the wiper panel.

• Problem: Bale starts falling apart after removing the plastic or the net wrap, even when I try removing it carefully.

• Suggested remedy: • Remove the covering just before lowering the bale onto the platform.

• For very difficult bales, lower bale onto platform and remove the covering around the bale and collect the rest afterwards.

Problem: The rotors won’t turn.

Suggested remedy: • A string still left in the bale is wrapping around the rotor causing it to jam - remove the string.

• Hydraulic pressure too low - check the tractor hydraulic pressure.

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General Problem: The bale is dropping too hard onto the platform.

Suggested remedy: • Spear into the bale lower down before lifting. Note: The Fork Height Indicator may need adjusting. When the forks are at the lowest point the indicator should read “3ft”. See page 4 for details.

Problem: The forks will not operate.

Suggested remedy: • The change-over valve unit may need adjusting. Release the lock nut and undo the adjusting plate half turn only at a time until the rear forks operate. DO NOT UNDO IT ANY FURTHER. See page 4 for details.

Problem: Bales coming off.

Suggested remedy: • Slow down rotors. They don’t need to turn fast or lower platform once bale has started feeding.

Problem: Bale rotates but hay will not feed.

Suggested remedy: • Lift platform to expel the bale over the top of the rotors onto the ground.

• Simply drive forward and reverse into bale and re-load.

• This will change the rotation of the bale.

Problem: Outer layer of bale separating from the inner layer.

Suggested remedy: • If this occurs the platform should be cleaned and silicon sprayed on, as the residue can stop the bale rotating properly.

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TROUBLE SHOOTING CONT.

Square Bales Problem: Several biscuits coming off at once.

Suggested remedy: • The platform is too high - lower platform.

• The biscuits congealed too tightly together when baled - reverse the rotors approximately 2 turns then forward again.

• If the bales are too tightly compressed you may not be able to tease them out separately.

Problem: My bales are too long for the platform.

Suggested remedy: • Purchase the optional extension kit for the platform. It slides away after use.

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CHAINLESS 4000 BALE FEEDER

Hustler Equipment LTD PO Box 2127, 1416 Omahu Road Hastings, 4153, New Zealand.

Phone +64 6 879 7926 www.hustlerequipment.co.nz