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OPERATION
BEFORE CARRYING OUT ANY OPERATION ON THE MACHINE, STOP THE TRACTOR
ENGINE, REMOVE IGNITION KEY AND WAIT FOR ALL ROTATING PARTS TO STOP
BEFORE LEAVING THE TRACTOR.
The amount of soil crumbling depends on the type of work to be carried out. The following points will influence the
tilth produced:
1) Rotor speed (rotational frequency)
2) Forward speed: 2 to 8 km/h (1 - 5 mph)
3) Working depth (roller adjustment)
4) Levelling bar in place or removed.
Depending on soil conditions, the operator should evaluate these four factors in order to achieve the tilth required.
For seedbed preparation, a precise adjustment of the rollers depth is necessary to ensure the optimum tilth. As a
guide, for a sowing depth of 2 to 5 cm (1 - 2"), the optimum power harrow working depth is from 5 to 10 cm (2 - 4").
In difficult working conditions (autumn cultivations in wet soil), it is recommended that the rollers are fully raised out
of work, and that the working depth be set by the tractor position or draft control. NEVER REMOVE THE ROLLERS.
Hints on use :
- Allow the rotors to rotate at their working speed (rotational frequency) before engaging it into the soil. Gradually
lower the machine while pulling forward with the tractor.
- Always work in a straight line. When turning, lift machine out of work.
- Do not disengage the PTO drive unless the machine has been lifted out of work.
- An accurate setting of the tractor’s draft control can effectively protect the power harrow against sudden load
changes (change in soil conditions or hidden obstacles). The momentary lifting of the power harrow by the tractor
hydraulics allows the difficulty to be passed without risk of damage.
Important recommendations :
Like many farm machines, use of the HR entails limits which must be respected in all situations. These limits
are often tied in with :
- meteorological conditions : avoid working during and immediately after rainfall, wait until ground to be worked
is completely drained,
- soil types : smooth clods indicate too malleable or too humid soil to be worked in. Wait until ground is completely
drained. Soil consistency is ideal when clods crumble without sticking,
- tractor power : adapt working depth, forward speed and rotor speed (rotational frequency) to power available and
type of work to be done. Never exceed the maximum allowable tractor DIN power (206 kW / 280 hp).
- nature of work to be carried out : nature of work to be carried out : the power harrow is an excellent
implement for secondary tillage and preparing the seedbed after ploughing, chiselling or loosening the soil. On
the other hand, it is clearly less efficient for primary tillage work especially on hard and dry ground.
