Amity Technology 3200, Operating Manual

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6 - 5
6.10 Scalpers (option):
Scalpers are an option on Amity defoliators that remove the very
top of the beet helping to ensure complete petiole removal. Scalper
are designed to ride on the crown of the beet to follow its changing
height. Because of this they need to be raised in addition to the row
finder at the field end just as the beets are ending. They should only
be lowered again once the defoliator is turned around and as it
starts to defoliate the next set of rows. Not raising or lowering the
scalpers at the appropriate time in addition to possibly damaging
the scalpers can cause the knives to plug with mud and not function
correctly requiring the operator to stop of the defoliator in order to clean them. Finally, it is impera-
tive that scalpers are lifted whenever the defoliator is reversed as this may cause damage to scalper
knives, baskets and lift. See section 7.0 Adjustments for setup guide.
CAUTION: Raise scalpers at headlands. Never back up the defoliator with the scalpers in the low-
ered position as this may cause damage to scalper lift and or scalper baskets.
IMPORTANT: Properly setting the scalpers is critical to not wasting any sugar beet, or damaging the
scalper assembly.
6.11 Floating Hitch (option):
The purpose of the floating hitch is to prevent the
defoliator from dropping too far and not allowing
the flails to dig into the ground when the tractor
and defoliator travel across pivot tracks or similar
ruts. Components include an in cab switch which
controls a solenoid that activates a pressure relief
circuit inside a valve body. When the switch is engaged the valve supplies a constant pressure to the
hitch cylinders so that the hitch carries the majority of the weight when the tractor goes through a
rut yet at the same time allows the cylinders to extend and the stabilizer wheels to hold the defolia-
tor up while the tractor is in the rut. Once the tractor tires come up out of the rut the defoliator
weight is transferred to the cylinder with stops installed as the stabilizer wheels travel over the rut.
To turn with the floating hitch at field ends simply turn the switch off and the hitch will fully raise.
When starting the next row turn the switch back on and the hitch cylinders will retract back to the
stops, no changes to the hydraulic remotes are required for end row turns. With no power supplied
to the valve it acts exactly as a traditional hitch allowing the machine to be moved around the yard
without having to hook up wiring. Floating Hitch hydraulics should be set to 12
- 18 GPM (45 - 68
LPM). Higher flows will result in a faster reaction and preferred flow rate should be set while setting
up floating hitch for the specific tractor that will be running it. See section 7.0 Adjustments for set-
up.
Figure 6 - 3: Scalpers
Figure 6 - 4: Floating Hitch Valve