1. General Provisions. This Warranty shall apply to the original purchaser of (1) any new and unused machine manufactured by Amity Technology, LLC (“Amity”), and (2) any new and unused part which is manufactured by Amity for use in an Amity machine, jointly referred to as “Products,” whether such Product is purchased through a dealer or directly from Amity.
Page 3
6. Dispute Resolution. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Warranty must be settled by arbitration in Fargo, North Dakota, at a time and location designated by the arbitrator, but not exceeding 30 days after a demand for arbitration has been made, and may be conducted by electronic, video, or other technical means.
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 General Information Read this manual carefully to learn how to operate and service your machine correctly. Failure to read this manual can result in personal injury, equipment damage and/or poor equipment performance. This manual is a permanent part of your machine and should remain with the machine when you sell it. Measurements in this manual are given in both customary U.S. units and metric equivalents. Use only correct replacement parts and fasteners. Metric and inch fasteners require appropriate tools to install. NOTE: Front, rear, right and left‐hand sides are determined by facing in the direction the implement will travel when moving forward. 1.2 Serial Number Record the serial number, model number, and model year of your defoliator to help trace the machine should it be stolen. Your dealer also needs these numbers for all warranty claims and when you order parts. The defoliator serial number is found on the serial number plate which is located on the front of the machine to the left of the hitch as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 depending on model. Record your serial number, model number, and model year in the space provided below. Serial Number: __________________________ Model Number: __________________________ Model Year: __________________________ Figure 1: 50 Series Serial Number Plate Location Figure 2: 00 Series Serial Number Plate ...
2.0 SAFETY 2.1 Recognizing Safety Information in Manual Figure 3 is the safety‐alert symbol. When you see this symbol on your machine or in this manual, be alert to the potential for personal injury. Follow recommended precautions and safe operating practices. Figure 3: Safety‐Alert Symbol 2.2 General Defoliator Safety You are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of your Amity beet defoliator. You and anyone else, who will operate, maintain, or work around the defoliator should be familiar with the operating and maintenance procedures and safety information in this manual. Safety practices protect you and the people around you, so make them a working part of your safety program. Defoliator owners must give operating instructions annually to operators or employees before allowing them to operate the defoliator per OSHA regulation 1928.57. The most important safety device on this equipment is a safe operator. It is the operator’s responsibility to read and follow all safety and operating instructions in the manual. All accidents can be avoided. A person who has not read and understood all operating and safety instructions is not qualified to operate the machine. An untrained operator exposes himself and bystanders to serious injury or death. Do not modify the equipment in any way. Unauthorized modification may impair the function and/or safety and could alter the life and warranty of the product. The following list is a set of safety guide lines to adhere to: Read and understand the Operator’s Manual and all safety signs before operating, maintaining, or adjusting the defoliator. Install and properly secure all shields and guards before operating. Have a first‐aid kit available and know how to use it. Have a fire extinguisher available and know how to use it. ...
Shift to park, disengage PTO, lower machine to ground, relieve hydraulic pressure, stop engine, remove ignition key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before servicing, adjusting, repairing or disconnecting. Review safety related items with all operators annually. Wear suitable ear protection for prolonged exposure to excessive noise. Think SAFETY! Work SAFELY! 2.3 Maintenance and Operating Safety Read and understand all information contained in the Operator’s Manual regarding maintenance, adjustment, and operation of the defoliator. Shift to park, disengage PTO, lower machine to ground, relieve hydraulic pressure, stop engine, remove ignition key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before servicing, adjusting, repairing, or disconnecting. Keep hands, feet, clothing, and hair away from all moving and/or rotating parts. Ensure that all tractor controls are in neutral before starting. Never wear ill‐fitting, baggy, or frayed clothing when working on or around the defoliator. Make sure that all guards and shields are properly installed and secured before operating the defoliator. Clear the area of all bystanders, especially children, when carrying out any maintenance or making adjustments on the systems or components. Place stands or blocks under the frame before working beneath the machine. Do not allow riders on the defoliator or tractor during field operation or transport. Never operate the defoliator inside a closed building. Stand clear in front of and behind defoliator during operation as it can pick up and throw rocks and other debris at high velocities. ...
2.4 Hydraulic Safety Always place all tractor hydraulic controls in neutral before dismounting. Make sure that all components in the hydraulic system are kept in good condition and are clean and tight. Replace any worn, cut, abraded, flattened or crimped hoses and metal lines. Do not attempt any makeshift repairs to the hydraulic lines, fittings, or hoses by using tape, clamps, or cements. The hydraulic system operates under extremely high‐pressure. Such repairs may fail suddenly, creating a hazardous and unsafe condition. Wear proper hand and eye protection when searching for a high‐pressure hydraulic leak. Use a piece of wood or cardboard as a backstop instead of hands to isolate and identify a leak. If injured by a concentrated high pressure stream of hydraulic fluid, seek medical attention immediately. Serious infection or toxic reaction can develop from hydraulic fluid piercing the skin surface. Before applying pressure to the system, make sure all components are tight and that lines, hoses and couplings are not damaged. Figure 5: Hydraulic Safety Symbols 2.5 Transport Safety Read and understand all information in the Operator’s Manual regarding procedures and safety when operating the defoliator in the field or on the road. Make sure the Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem and required lights and reflectors are in place, clean, and can be seen clearly by all overtaking and oncoming traffic. Do not allow riders on any part of the defoliator during either field operation or travel. Attach to the tractor using only a drawbar pin with provisions for a mechanical retainer. Always attach a safety chain. 4 ...
Always use hazard warning flashers when transporting unless prohibited by law. Maximum transport speed on smooth roads is 25 mph (40 kph). 2.6 Storage Safety Store the unit away from human activity. Do not permit children to play on or around the stored unit. Make sure the hitch stands are firmly supported. Use blocks of wood to provide a secure base. 2.7 Tire Safety Failure to follow proper procedures when mounted a tire on a wheel or rim can produce an explosion which may result in serious injury of death. Do not attempt to mount a tire unless without the proper equipment and experience for the job. Have a qualified tire dealer or repair service perform the required tire maintenance. 2.8 Understand Signal Words Signal words‐ DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION‐ are used in conjunction with the safety‐alert symbol on Amity safety decals. DANGER identifies the most serious hazards. DANGER or WARNING safety signs are located near specific hazards. General precautions are listed on CAUTION safety signs. CAUTION also calls attention to safety messages in this manual. Figure 6 shows the signal words used on your Amity beet Figure 6: Signal Words defoliator. 2.9 Safety Decals ...
4.0 PREPARATION 4.1 Tractor Preparation 4.1.1 Adjusting the Drawbar: The tractor drawbar must be set within the given range to maintain the integrity of the drive system. The range is shown in Table 5. Figure 8: PTO Range Table 5: PTO Range PTO PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION MINIMUM DISTANCE MAXIMUM DISTANCE 306403 PTO‐STD 1‐3/8"‐21 (DEF) 54.00in / 137.16cm 76.88in / 195.27cm 306404 PTO‐STD 1‐3/4"‐20 (DEF) 54.00in / 137.16cm 76.88in / 195.27cm 305690 PTO‐CV 1‐3/4"‐20 DEF HEAVY 59.67in / 151.56cm 82.92in / 210.61cm 305691 PTO‐STD 1‐3/4"‐20 DEF HEAVY 57.90in / 147.00cm 82.78in / 210.26cm 69678 PTO‐STD 38MM‐8 (DEF) 53.82in / 136.70cm 76.50in / 194.31cm 69681 PTO‐CV 1‐3/8"‐21 (DEF) 56.50in / 143.41cm 77.28in / 196.29cm ...
4.2 Defoliator Preparation 4.2.1 Flail Spacing: Verify the spacing matches the spacing of the planted crop as shown in Figure 11. A=B/2 Center of frame to center of flail basket B=Row spacing Figure 11: Flail Spacing 4.2.2 Scalpers: In addition to Flail baskets Scalpers also need to be correctly positioned for row spacing and should be adjusted to match if they are not already. For additional adjustment refer to section 7.0 Adjustments, for proper setup of the scalpers including basket height and scalper knife position. 4.2.3 Shield Placement: Before starting, be sure to secure the shields in operating position (closed position). 4.2.4 Gearbox Oil Level: Check all gearbox oil levels before operating. Refer to section 11.0, Lubrication and Maintenance, for oil type and fill level information. 4.2.5 Greasing: Refer to section 11.0, Lubrication and Maintenance, for grease Figure 12: Gearbox type and frequency requirements. Ensure all components have been greased per guidelines before preliminary start‐up. IMPORTANT: Use only hand held grease guns. Air‐powered grease guns can damage your seals. Over greasing may also damage bearing seals. If damage due to over greasing occurs, replace the damaged seals immediately. 4.2.6 Attaching PTO driveline to Defoliator: 1. Remove the gearbox shield access covers. 2. Connect the PTO driveline to the gearbox spline shaft. 3. Lock the PTO in place using 2‐ in. bolts and nuts ...
5.0 ATTACHING AND DETACHING 5.1 Attaching Hydraulic and Electrical Systems Defoliators are available with ISO couplers or metric adapters. If the hydraulic attachments on your defoliator do not fit the tractor, contact your Amity dealer. CAUTION: To avoid injury from escaping fluid under pressure, relieve the pressure in the system before disconnecting or connecting hydraulic or other lines. Tighten all connections before applying pressure. 1. Reverse the tractor in line with the hitch stopping 1 foot (.3m) short of the pull plate. 2. Shift to park, shut off the engine, and remove the Figure 14: Attaching Hydraulic Lines ignition key before getting out of tractor. 3. Connect all hydraulic lines to tractor as shown in Figure 14. Ensure hydraulic lines are clear of the PTO shaft to prevent hydraulic hose wear and failure. 4. Connect the defoliator light harness to the tractor. Make sure the defoliator warning lights operate with the tractor warning lights and turn signals. 5.2 Attaching Defoliator to Tractor Drawbar 1. Ensure the tractor drawbar is adjusted (see Tractor Preparation, section 4.1.1) 2. With the tractor backed up in line with the defoliator and the hydraulics hooked up. 3.
9. Remove small pin that held pull plate up if it has not dislodged already. 10. Place hardened washer (A) between the drawbar and pull plate, and install shims as necessary (B). 11. Reinstall the hitch pin. 12. Connect the safety chain to the drawbar supporting structure. Figure 16: Attached PTO Driveline 5.3 Attaching PTO Driveline CAUTION: To avoid bodily injury or death, shut off the tractor and lower the machine to the ground before attaching the PTO driveline. IMPORTANT: Keep the driveline and powershaft splines clean of dirt, paint, and debris. Shift to park, disengage the PTO, lower the machine to the ground, stop the engine, and remove the ignition key. Raise the tractor PTO shield. Align the splines between the defoliator driveline and the tractor PTO shaft and start to push the driveline on to the tractor PTO shaft. Once started pull back the driveline collar and push the driveline onto the shaft until the collar snaps forward on the yoke. To ensure the PTO is secure, pull back on the shield. Do not pull on the collar as this will release the latch. ...
6.0 OPERATING THE DEFOLIATOR 6.1 Start Up 1. Lubricate the machine per the schedule outlined in the maintenance section. 2. Perform pre‐operation check of the defoliator. 3. Ensure that operator, bystanders, and all objects are clear of the defoliator before starting. 4. Align the tractor and defoliator with the first set of rows to be defoliated. 5. Lower the defoliator to working position against the cylinder stops and check that flail height from drums #2 and #3 is above of the ground and approximate ½” (1.2cm) below the crown of your average beet height for a starting position. 6. Partially raise the defoliator ensuring all flails are clear of the ground. 7. Throttle down to low idle. 8. Double check that bystanders are clear and slowly engage the PTO. (On tractors with electronic engagement set to the lowest level.) 9. Smoothly increase to 1000 PTO RPM. 10. Lower the defoliator to the pre‐set operating height and proceed down the field. 11. If this is a new field or the conditions have changed, stop the machine after 25‐50 feet (7.5‐15 m) and check the quality of job being done. If required adjust the defoliator using adjustment guide and reassess defoliation quality after adjustment. Make adjustments until defoliation is ...
6.2 Flail Height The single biggest factor in quality defoliator is properly setting the flail height of drums #2 and #3 of your Amity defoliator. Flail height will vary with soil and crop conditions. One inch (2.54 cm) below the crown of the average beet is a good starting point. Actual flail height is best determined by checking the defoliation results in several areas after defoliating for 50 feet (15 meters). To maintain even cleaning it is important for the flail height of the 2 and 3 drum to be the same; running the defoliator level will ensure this. Raise or lower the flail height as required and recheck by defoliating for another 50 feet. Repeat this process until flail height results in a satisfactory defoliation job. See section 7.0 for additional detailed adjustment procedures. IMPORTANT: Defoliation height will change drastically with field conditions and beet variety. Adjusting for changing conditions is necessary for optimal defoliator performance. IMPORTANT: In situations with loose beets adjust the flail height as high as possible while maintaining a quality defoliator job to minimize knocking beets out of the row. 6.3 Field Operating Speed Proper travel speed is critical in quality defoliation and changing speed will affect the performance of the machine and needs to be matched to field conditions and machine set‐up. The defoliator should be operated at speeds specific to the conditions; typical speeds are 2‐4 mph (3.2‐6.5 kph) for 00 Series and 3‐6 mph (4.8‐9.7 kph) for 50 Series. ‐ Increase speed when beet tops are clean of petioles and flails are beginning to damage tops. To optimize defoliation, continue to increase speed until defoliator begins to leave petioles on beet tops; decrease slightly from that point to maximize speed and cleaning. **If field conditions, or operator preference dictate a slower operating speed and beet top damage is being incurred, slightly slowing the PTO RPM is a permissible way to mitigate beet damage in place of increasing operating speed. ...
6.4 Turning Radius Turning at the end of the field while pulling the defoliator requires a wide area. One way to accommodate the large turning radius is to plant headland rows. Amity recommends a minimum of 48 headland rows (22” [56 cm] spacing) on each end of the field. ‐ Defoliators equipped with a CV PTO driveshaft can remain under power while turning in the headlands. ‐ Defoliators equipped with a Standard PTO driveshaft need to disengage the PTO before turning to prevent driveline damage. IMPORTANT: Failure to provide a sufficient turning radius for the tractor and defoliator may lead to damage of the driveshaft, row finder assembly, scalpers, and/or tractor tires. 6.5 Break‐in Period After an initial 4 hours of normal field operation, hand check all fasteners and components. Tighten or adjust any components as required. Do not re‐torque gearbox hardware as they have been installed with thread lock compound. If any gearbox hardware is found loose it should be fully removed threads cleaned and reinstalled with thread lock to the torque spec as listed in section 11.0 Lubrication and Maintenance. 6.6 Field Cleaning The defoliator will build with mud at different rates during operation depending on soil conditions. It is important to fully open all doors, check material build up, and clean the machine if required every two hours or more often if the conditions demand. IMPORTANT: If left unclean, mud may clog the machine and may cause damage or premature component wear. Frequently clean the machine to avoid potential damage and premature wear. 6.7 Flail Tubes Amity offers many flail styles in row widths ranging from 18 to 36 inches (45 to 90cm). Flails can be set up with all rubber flails (00 series only), or with a steel front drum with rubber flails on drums #2 and #3. Steel flail tubes operate at 1000 rpm and are factory balanced. Rubber equiped flail tubes operate at 400 rpm and do not require balancing due to the lower operating speed. Flails may be specifically matched ...
6.7.1 Adjustable 3 Drum (50 series): The purpose of the adjustable 3 flail tube in the 50 series defoliator is to be able to run the 1 drum higher specifically designed for crops with poor emergence where the highest beet and lowest beet vary greatly in height. In such a situation running the defoliator level and low enough to clean all beets the 1 drum would cut the tops off many of the higher beets. Typical conditions do not warrant adjustment of the 3 drum. If they do, adjusting the 3 drum should be done in ¼” (.6cm) increments and directions can be found in Adjustments section 7.0. 6.8 Leveling Two things affect a defoliator’s field level machine setup and field conditions 6.8.1 Machine Setup The first thing that impacts the defoliator field level is the actual machine level setup from side to side. This is affected by tire pressure, machine weight and rear strut adjustment. To ensure the machine is level, a onetime level check/setup should be performed on a flat and level floor following the guidelines laid out in section 7.0. 6.8.2 Field Conditions The second thing that impacts the defoliator field level are the field level conditions. This is affected by planter and sprayer tracks left in the field. It is best to adjust the defoliator wheel locations to avoid running on the same rows as the planter or sprayer tracks. In cases where this cannot be avoided, one tire should be run off the tracks from the planter or sprayer and the rear struts moved out as wide as practical to lessen the impact on machine level. 6.9 Row Finder (option): Amity defoliators with steerable struts have the option of a hydraulic row finder. The row finder helps keep the defoliator flails directly in line with crop rows. Row finder hydraulic flows should be set to approximate 7 GPM constant and 10 GPM override. The override circuit flow may be adjusted up or down to adjust to desired steering response time. The row finder should be lifted when the defoliator reaches the headland before turning and only lowered once the defoliator is back into ...
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 Figure 20: Scalpers 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 imperative 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 lowered position as this may cause damage to scalper lift and or scalper baskets. IMPORTANT: Properly setting the scalpers is critcal 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 Figure 21: Floating Hitch Valve 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 defoliator 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 ...
6.12 Machine Shutdown To ensure maximum life of the machine, follow this procedure when stopping: 1. Raise the defoliator off the beets with the PTO still engaged. 2. While PTO is running at full speed disengage tractor PTO. The corner gearbox on all Amity defoliators has an over‐running clutch built in and will allow the defoliator to slowly come to a stop well after the PTO drive on the tractor has stopped. 3. Do not exit the tractor until flails have come to a complete stop. CAUTION: When shutting down or reducing ground speed, the PTO must remain turning at full RPM until PTO is disengaged. Lowering RPM with PTO still engaged can cause the overrunning clutch to disengage and reengage and can result is failed driveline shear bolts. 21 ...
7.0 ADJUSTMENTS Before performing any adjustments first shift to park, disengage PTO, lower machine to ground, relieve hydraulic pressure, stop engine, remove ignition key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before adjusting. 7.1 Leveling To obtain optimal performance of the defoliator, the machine must be level from left to right while defoliating. Critical to maintaining machine level is rear strut style and location. Selecting a strut style and tire location that do not run in previous tractor and sprayer tracks will greatly help the ease of maintaining field level and increase defoliation quality. Rear struts design is flexible so that they can be located for best performance. Because of your Amity defoliator’s unique and low maintenance gearbox drive system, the right side of the defoliator is inherently heavier which will affect side Figure 22: Leveling Adjustment to side level. Amity defoliator’s come with weights mounted on the left side to counteract this; however depending on the options equipped an additional 100‐300 lbs. (45‐135 kg) can be added to the weight bracket on the front left corner to achieve a perfectly balanced machine. Instead of the preferred method adding weights, you may also adjust air pressure in your tires. Starting with all tires at the recommended pressure (see Section 3.0 Specifications) adjust pressure up on the right tires and proportionally down on the left tires until the distance from bottom of the axle tube to the floor is equal on both sides which indicates the static loaded radius of the tires is the same. (Not recommended for defoliators with optional 4 struts) Once the weight bias on your Amity defoliator is accounted for, check flail distances from a flat and level floor. If additional adjustment is required to level the defoliator please follow the procedures laid out below: 7.1.1 Manual: (Rear struts equipped with ratchet jacks for adjustment.) 1. Move the defoliator on to a flat and level floor for accurate measurements. 2. Lower the defoliator front hitch cylinders to approximate operating height. 3. Check tire pressure to ensure both sides are correctly inflated. 4. Measure the distance between the drum 3 flails and ground, or rear frame tube and ground on the very outside of the left and right hand sides of the defoliator. 5.
7.1.2 Hydraulic Strut Lift (option): (Rear struts equipped with rephasing cylinders.) 1. Move the defoliator on to a flat and level floor for accurate measurements. 2. Lower the defoliator front hitch cylinders to approximate operating height. 3. Check tire pressure to ensure both sides are correctly inflated. 4. Measure the distance between the drum 3 flails and ground, or rear frame tube and ground on the very outside of the left and right hand sides of the defoliator and record distance. 5. Jack up the corner of the frame to remove the load from the strut assembly and the tires. Securely block the frame with suitable jack stands or wooden blocks. 6. Remove the lower cylinder pin and loosen the bolt clamping the cylinder clevis end to the rod. 7. Screw in the cylinder clevis end on the side that is high until machine is level. 8. Retighten clevis and replace pin. 9. Lower frame to ground and confirm level. Repeat steps 5‐8 if required. 7.2 Height Follow the guidelines below for initial setup and adjustment of defoliator height. 7.2.1 Initial height set‐up 1. Move the defoliator to a flat and level floor. 2. Lower the defoliator front hitch cylinders to approximate operating height. 3. Evenly lower the rear struts to approximate operating height. 4. Start with both 2 and 3 drums at the same ...
hitch height values on the home screen, or the left/right offset on the advanced options screen. Use the following guidelines: a. Flails hitting dirt – raise rear struts/increase rear height value b. Front flails cutting top off beets – raise front hitch/increase hitch height value c. Beet crown not clean – lower rear struts/decrease rear height value d. Front crown of beet not clean while rear is – lower front hitch/decrease hitch height value e. Rear crown of beet not clean while front is – lower rear struts & raise front hitch/decrease rear height value & increase hitch height value f. Beet crown damaged – increase speed and reassess g. Beets being pulled out of ground – raise rear struts/increase rear height value 6. Make adjustments as needed and defoliator another 25‐50 feet (7.5‐15 m) until satisfied with defoliation results. 7. Increase speed until defoliation job begins to worsen and slow back down slightly to optimize travel speed. CAUTION: Never set the flails to hit the ground. Ground contact will damage flails and cause premature wear. Cylinder stops should be used at all times to prevent flail to ground contact. Flails can pick up stones and other debris and expel them out of the machine with enough speed to injure a person. Maintain a safe distance and never stand in front or behind of a running defoliator. NOTE: A 1 in. (2.5 cm) stop in a rear cylinder provides approximately 1 in. (2.5 cm) of lift. A 1 in. (2.5 cm) stop on the front hitch provides approximately 3.25 in. (8.26 cm) of lift. IMPORTANT: Properly setting height is the most important factor in the performance of your Amity defoliator. Height should be checked and changed if needed every time field, variety or conditions change. Figure 24: Defoliator Drum Flail Size 7.2.3 Flail Size Drum 1 height as shown in Figure 24 above is designed to run higher than the rear drums 2&3. This is based on its function which is to remove the majority of the beet leaves leaving only 24 ...
a few petioles or leaf stems for the 2 and 3 drums to remove from the crown of the beet. The rear two drums which are designed to be run level with each other, counter rotate so the flails hit from different directions to clean the front and back of the beet crown as illustrated in Figure 25 below. This is where the 50 series and 00 series differ significantly and described in the following sections. DRUM 1 DRUM 2 DRUM 3 Figure 25: Defoliation Process 7.2.4 50 Series The design feature that enables the 50 series defoliator to do more work faster is the shrouded front steel drum 1. The shrouded drum 1 is able to remove the majority of foliage leaving only a couple of inches of petioles and keeping the rear drums clear of excess leaves allowing them to perform their jobs more effectively. Drum 2 rotates with the direction of travel its job is to the clean the front side of the beet as shown in Figure 25. The 2 drum has 10 sets of flails compared to the 6 of the rear drum because of the rotational direction makes for a less aggressive cleaning action. Drum #3 rotates against the direction of travel used 6 sets of flails and its flails contact the back half of the beet removing the final petioles from the beet crown. By looking to see where the petioles remain will let you know if the 2 , 3 or both drums need to be raised or lowered. Lower or raise the hitch to adjust for level and lower rear struts to adjust drum 2 and drum 3 flail height. Both hitch and rear strut adjustments will affect the other drum so double check flail heights for both drums after making any adjustments. 7.2.5 00 Series 00 series defoliators do not have the front shroud that the 50 series have and because of this the front drum doesn’t do as much work, leaving more petioles and even some leaves for the 2 and 3 drums to clean up. Similar to the 50 series the 00 series defoliator needs to run level with both the 2 and 3 drums at the same height; however the 2 drum (because of the increased petioles) will ...
condition as the tangential velocity of the flails is much greater than any fractional change from reducing travel speed. Instead, if raising flail height doesn’t provide enough relief, lowering the PTO rpm in conjunction with reducing travel speeds will provide a less aggressive impact on the beets. This should be done in addition to raising the flail height. 7.2.7 3 Drum Height (50 series only) On all 50 series Amity defoliators the 3 drum can be adjusted upwards. With the defoliator run level as intended shown in Figure 24, the front steel drum 1 is 2.5 inches (6cm) ( higher than rubber drums 2 and 3; with drum 1 removing the majority of foliage and drums 2 and 3 cleaning the petioles from the crown of the beet. The purpose of drum 3 being adjustable is for beet stands with poor emergence where beet height varies drastically. In this situation when running level the front steel flails would be slicing off the tops of higher beets. Raising the 3 drum allows the operation to lower the rear of the defoliator and raise the front with the end result of having drum 1 higher. This adjustment may also be used as the flails become worn and the rubber flail’s 2.5 inches (6cm) difference in operating height becomes closer to the front steel drum. To adjust the 3 drum upwards: 1. Third drum height may be raised up to 1 inch (2.5 cm). In ¼ inch (.6cm) intervals. 2. Determine desired amount to raise the third drum. 3. Loosen bolts on gearbox, center hanger plate and end hanger plate as pictured below. 4. Lift gearbox upwards with eyebolt until it is high enough for desired height. 5. Remove spacers from the storage location on top of Figure 26: Gearbox 3 Drum Adjustment drum two. ...
10. Starting with the center hanger plate shown in Figure 27 take a measurement of the current position. 11. Using the eyebolts raise the plate until the measurement matches the height the gearbox was raised. 12. Tighten the 4 5/8” bolts locking the hanger plate into place. 13. Repeat steps 9‐12 for the outer plate shown in Figure 28. 14. Run the defoliator with the updated drum 3 height and recheck that bolts are tight after 1 hour of operation. Figure 28: Outer 3 Drum Adjustment 7.3 Row Finder When defoliating, the row finder wands should be adjusted like Figure 29 such that there is 5 in. (12.7 cm) of contact between the ground and row finder wands. Adjustment spring (B), shown in Figure 39, can be adjusted to apply more down pressure to ensure constant contact with the beet row. Likewise, the row finder wands should be angled down when lifted out of the ground as shown in Figure 30. Dimension (A) can be adjusted using nuts (D): Figure 29: Row Finder Wand Placement To increase distance (A), adjust nuts (D) along line (F) toward the rear of the machine. ...
NOTE: The wands should be angled down slightly when the machine is out of the ground. This will create down pressure from spring (B) when the machine is lowered to digging depth. 7.4 Row spacing Row Spacing: Normally row spacing is set once from the factory and will not need to be changed unless the customer changes crop spacing. Figure 31: Row Spacing A=B/2 Center of frame to center of flail basket B=Row Spacing 7.4.1 Flail spacing Steel Flail adjustment: Amity Steel flails are used on the front drum only and spin at 1000 RPM and are balanced from the factory. All steel flails are either full width (L‐knife and Cup knife) and do not need to be adjusted when changing row spacing or they are welded at a specific row spacing and are not adjustable (50 series and over the row cup flails). Please refer to your Amity parts manual for the appropriate replacement if required. Figure 32: Rubber flail basket Rubber Flail adjustment: (Refers to Studded, Tapered, Split, Block, and Sweep flails) 1. Open defoliator top doors for access to flails 2. Determine the required flail position by measuring from the center of the machine. 3. Mark the center positon required for each flail basket. 4.
the strut assembly as a whole from the machine center. Always space the tires first as some spacing widths will end up offset from the center of the strut. Set up wheel spacing as follows: 1. Measure the current wheel spacing and determine how far in or out the wheels need to be adjusted. 2. Jack up the corner of the frame to remove the load from the strut assembly and the tires. Securely block the frame with suitable jack stands or wooden blocks. 3. Remove wheels and cross bolts as necessary. 4. Use chart below to set desired wheel spacing. 5. Torque wheels to 125 foot pounds and re‐torque after 1 hour of field use. Lug bolts should be checked periodically and tightened if needed. 7.6‐15 Strut 18” Wheel offset in; Inner strut holes, Outer spindle holes 20” Wheel offset in; Inner strut holes, Inner spindle holes 22” Wheel offset in; Middle strut holes, Inner spindle holes 24” Wheel offset in; Outer strut holes, Inner spindle holes 11.2‐24 22” Strut 22” Wheel offset in; Inner spindle holes 24” Wheel offset in; Outer spindle holes *26” Outer tire wheel offset out / Inner tire wheel offset in; Inner spindle holes *28” Outer tire wheel offset out / Inner tire wheel offset in; Outer spindle holes 30” ...
Set up Strut spacing as follows: 1. Measure from the center of the frame to determine new strut spacing and mark the rear tube. 2. Jack up the corner of the frame to remove the load from the strut assembly and the tires. Securely block the frame with suitable jack stands or wooden blocks. 3. Loosen one inch strut bolts securing the rear struts to the rear frame tubing. 4. If struts are steerable loosen the bolts attaching the steering cylinder to the rear frame tube. In addition the tie rod clamp will need to be loosened and cross bolt removed. 5. Slide the assembly along the frame until the correct strut spacing is achieved. 6. Tighten the mounting bolts evenly. 7. Repeat with the other side 8. On Steerable strut units after both struts have been adjusted reinstall the tie‐rod cross bolt in the appropriate hole and tighten the tie‐rod clamp in place. Tie rod length may need to be adjusted with the end links to ensure both struts are straight, see section 7.5. 7.5 Steerable Struts To adjust your steerable struts so they are tracking straight: 1. Start with the strut that is attached to the steering cylinder, typically the right strut. 2. Check for straightness by setting a straight edge against the steering weldment and check for alignment with the frame mounted weldment. 3. If they are not aligned, loosen the jam nuts on the eyebolt locating the cylinder and adjust the eyebolt in or out until they are properly aligned. 4. For defoliator models not equipped with an eyebolt for adjustment the bolts affixing the cylinder plate to the rear tube will have to be loosen and retightened after the strut is aligned. 5. With that complete check for alignment on the other strut in the same manner. 6.
Figure 33: Steerable Struts 7.6 Scalpers Scalpers are designed to remove the last of the petioles from the beet and a small portion of the crown reducing impurities in beet piles. Properly setting up scalpers is critical in their performance. Baskets should be set so that they do not hit either the top or bottom limit of their operational range while defoliating. The stop at the bottom of the range purpose is only for holding the scalper basket up when the scalper bar is lifted. To maximize adjustment range the lower set of holes shown in Figure 34 to the right should be used. The upper set of holes is there for additional mounting flexibility and can be used if desired. Figure 34: Scalper Basket CAUTION: Never back up or turn defoliator with the scalper bar down. This will result in damaging scalper components. 31 ...
Figure 35: Scalper 7.6.1 Knives Scalper knives should be set so that they remove a 1.5‐2 inch (4‐5 cm) slice off the crown on the beet. Excess of this amount will result in lower tons per acre yields. Properly setting scalpers is critical in optimizing your defoliation job. Set up scalper knives as follows: 1. Start with the defoliator at level operating height on a flat and level surface and lower the scalper bar to the ground. 2. Loosen scalper knife bolts so the knife can be moved. 3. A good starting point is with the knives ½ inch (1.2cm) below the trailing edge of the scalper basket. To set this consistently use a ½ inch (1.2 m) shim under the trailing edge of the scalper basket. 4. Adjust the knife so that it is flat on the ground and ½ inch (1.2cm) back from the trailing edge of the basket for a starting point. 5. Tighten scalper knife bolts and move to the next knife. 6. Final adjustments are to be made in field. Scalper knives field adjustment. 1. With all knives at the initial set point begin defoliating. 2. First set defoliator height so the flails are doing a proper job before setting knives. 3. With defoliator height set, lower scalper to operating position and travel 50 feet (15 m) down the field. 4. Evaluate scalper performance including slice size and angle of cut. 5.
7. Once set scalpers shouldn’t have to be reset, but should be periodically sharpened to maintain a quality cut. 7.6.2 Bar height The Amity scalper bar has two standard mounting positons as shown in the figures below. The bar height should be set to ensure the scalper baskets cannot reach the maximum or minimum stops and instead operate smoothly in the range between them. The scalper bar is set in the central position from factory. Adjust the bar height so it is correct for your conditions according to the diagrams below. Although not typically used the inner cylinder hole may be used to lower the scalper bar further if needed. When the lowest setting is used or the defoliator is not being operated level front to back, the slotted hole on the bar weldment shown below is required to level the scalper bar. Figure 36a: Highest Scalper Position Figure 36b: Lower Scalper Position 33 ...
Proper setup is critical for the Floating Hitch or Floating Struts to function properly. Because every tractor model’s hydraulics vary between brands and models a one‐time initial set‐up must be done with the tractor model it will be operated with. 1. Wire in the supplied harness and switch to in‐cab 12V accessory power and plug into the floating hitch valve solenoid. This switches the valve between floating mode (POWER ON) and standard hitch mode (POWER OFF). *Floating Hitch Only* 2. Hook up the hydraulic hoses to the tractor and set an approximate working height for the front hitch using depth stops. Then set the hydraulic flow to a constant 12‐18 GPM (45‐68LPM) for the Floating Hitch or 7.5 GPM (28.4 LPM) for the Floating Struts. This constant flow is required to have oil available to extend to retract the cylinders when the tractor goes in and out of ruts. 3. With the hydraulics turned on it is time to adjust the constant pressure supplied to the hitch or strut cylinders. To adjust the pressure loosen the jam nut and with an Allen wrench adjust the pressure setting. Clockwise raises the pressure and Counter‐Clockwise lowers it. With the harness plugged in and switched on engaging the float mode, raise the hydraulic pressure until the cylinders fully extend, if they don’t already. Then lower the pressure until the cylinders retracts back onto the cylinder stops. Turn the switch off, which will extend the cylinders and then back on again noting the speed which with the cylinders retract. Continue to adjust the pressure incrementally lower checking the speed each time until you are happy with the speed the hitch retracts and tighten the jam nut locking the setting in place. Notes: Floating Hitch: When setting field height it is important to have the stabilizer wheels firmly on the ground and not just skimming the ground, so they are able to hold the defoliator height when the tractor goes through a rut. Also it is important to ensure the floating hitch power is on, otherwise with the hitch locked in place this will place too much weight on the stabilizer struts possibly damaging them. Floating Struts: Adjust your relieve valve pressure settings and flow to desired increments. More pressure translates to more load carried by these front wheels. More flow translates to faster response time when going in and out of divots. Set these settings to the least pressure and flow required to meet your needs. 35 ...
7.8 Torque Chart Torque values listed are for coarse thread bolts, in Table 6: Torque Chart general use only. Do not use these values if a Size (A) Grade 5 Grade 8 different torque value or tightening procedure is Standard Metric N*m lb‐ft N*m lb‐ft listed for a specific application. Check the tightness of cap screws periodically. ” .635 cm 12 9 12.5 Shear bolts are designed to fail under predetermined ” .794 cm 25 18 loads. Always replace shear bolts with the identical grade. ” .953 cm 44 33 ” 1.11 cm 70 52 Fasteners should be replaced with the same or ...
Page 42
2. Ensure your screen has power and is connected to the main harness. 3. Pressing “End Row” on the home screen should now raise hitch cylinders to 75% full stroke and raise rear cylinders completely. a. If “End Row” does not raise the cylinders, try reversing the flow and/or ensuring hydraulics are plumbed correctly. 4. Raise the rear AHC baskets. These can be plumbed by itself, plumbed in parallel with the rear row finder, or connected to the scalper bar. 5. Once rear baskets are fully raised, press “Calibrate System” on the options screen (wrench symbol). This should set the “Calibration” sensor on the home screen to be green. 6. If your desired settings are unknown, good settings to start with are 50 for the “Rear Height”, 60 for the “Hitch Height”, and 0 for the left/right offset found in advanced options (wrench & gear symbol). These settings are typically higher than usual and will allow you to lower or raise your defoliator into the proper position. 7.9.2 Operating and Adjusting AHC When running AHC, you have the choice of two different modes: AutoLevel or Manual. AutoLevel will automatically adjust your rear cylinders based on reading from the rear baskets. Manual will allow you to set each cylinder to a locked in position. Details for each are below AutoLevel mode: 1. Ensure you have run the necessary steps in 7.9.1 before operating. “Calibration” sensor should be green. 2. Press the “AutoLevel” button on the options screen so it remains suppressed and green. 3. Engage the pto so the “Pto Sensor” on the home page turns green. 4. Lower rear sensor baskets so they are in the fully down position. This will activate the “Workswitch” sensor and it will turn green. 5. Press “Begin Row” when you are ready to start defoliating. Defoliator will now start autoleveling based on readings from rear baskets and in accordance with your home page screen settings. ...
Page 43
WARNING: Not pressing “End Row” and/or not lifting sensor baskets after a row or while turning can result in damage to the machine. Follow all safety precautions when operating AHC in AutoLevel 9. Return to step 4 and repeat process on each row as needed. Manual mode: 1. Ensure you have run the necessary steps in 7.9.1 before operating. 2. Deselect the “AutoLevel” button on the options. It should appear as unsuppressed and gray. 3. Raise the rear sensor baskets if you are not scalping. Sensor baskets should remain raised when in Manual mode. 4. Engage the pto so the “Pto Sensor” on the home page turns green. 5. Press “Begin Row” when you are ready to start defoliating. Defoliator will set the hitch cylinders to the “Hitch Height” setting on the home page, and the rear left and right cylinders to their respective “Left” and “Right” values on the options page. 6. Adjust “Hitch Height”, “Left”, and “Right” to desired levels for proper defoliation of beets, refer to section 7.2.2. 7. After defoliating each row, press “End Row” before turning. WARNING: Not pressing “End Row” and/or not lifting sensor baskets after a row or while turning can result in damage to the machine. Follow all safety precautions when operating AHC in Manual mode 8. Return to step 5 and repeat process on each row as needed. Pictures for reference included below: 38 ...
Page 44
Adjusts Left or Right Offset. Only set once per initial setup. Each number reflects approx. 1/8” change in difference between left and right rear height cylinders 39 ...
8.0 TRANSPORTATION 8.1 Warning Lights CAUTION: Prevent collisions between other road users, slow moving tractors with attachments or towed equipment, and self‐propelled machines on public roads. Frequently check for traffic from the rear, especially in turns. Use headlights, flashing warning lights, and turn signals day and night. Follow local regulations for equipment and marking. Keep lighting and marking visible and in good working order. Replace or repair lighting and marking that has been damaged or lost. 8.2 Preparing for Transport Turn off PTO and any constant hydraulics for transport. Clean all soil and debris off the machine. Raise the front hitch lifting all flails of the ground. Lower the rear struts against the stops. If drum 3 flails are too close to the ground add an additional stop for transport Make sure all safety decals and lights are clean and visible and all tail lights and turn signals function properly. CAUTION: Always use warning lights when transporting. Braking distance is greatly increased when towing a defoliator. NOTE: Maximum speed when transporting the defoliator is 25 mph (40 kph). Figure 40: Rear Defoliator 40 ...
9.0 CLEANING Cleaning is an important part of defoliator maintenance. This section illustrates a few points where mud will routinely build up and need to be cleaned. 9.1 Row Finder Row finder wands (A) and springs (B) must be cleaned routinely in order for the row finder to correctly locate beets. Also, clean the area around the hydraulic valve spool and all other moving components to prevent seal failure. Figure 41: Row Finder Cleaning 9.2 Scalpers Scalpers can plug with mud and leaves between the knife and basket. Keeping scalper knives sharp and properly setting knives can help alleviate plugging along with lifting the scalper bar slightly before beets end at headlands so they are not pulled through the dirt. Despite these steps scalpers will plug occasionally and will need to be cleared at the field end if they do not unplug themselves. There is no set schedule for cleaning. Figure 42: Scalper Cleaning 9.3 Top Doors & Interior Walls Mud under top doors and on interior walls is the largest place for buildup on the defoliator. Allowing mud to build too far will cause premature wear of flails and needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent this. Inspect and clean your Amity defoliator every 2 hours. Cleaning can be required more or less often ...
9.4 Gearbox Enclosure The gearbox enclosure should be cleared of dirt and debris whenever driveline maintenance or inspection is performed. This will keep material clear of driveline seals and gearbox breather vents prolonging component life. Figure 44: Gearbox Enclosure 42 ...
10.0 STORAGE 10.1 End of Season Thoroughly clean the defoliator inside and out. Debris and dirt will draw moisture and cause rust. Inspect the defoliator for any damaged or worn components; repair or replace as required. Lubricate all grease fittings and run machine for 5 minutes to distribute lubricant. Touch up paint on all parts from which paint has been worn to prevent rusting. (optional) Move the defoliator to a level, dry, and clean area. Inside a building is ideal. Put blocking material under the front support stands to prevent sinking and under the rear struts to take load off the tires. 10.2 Beginning of Season Attach the defoliator to the tractor (see section 5.0). Remove all support blocks from the front support stands and rear struts. Lubricate the entire machine (see Lubrication and Maintenance, section 11.0). This will force any collected moisture out of the bearings. Replace the gearbox oil (see Lubrication and Maintenance, section 11.0). Run the defoliator to ensure proper function. Tighten any loose components including guards and shields. Review the operator’s manual prior to operation. IMPORTANT: All components that are damaged or worn must be repaired or replaced before operating your Amity defoliator (see parts book for part numbers). 43 ...
11.0 LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE 11.1 General Maintenance Information Inspect all maintenance items at the beginning and end of each season and replace worn components. It is important to only use clean lubricants; ensure that all containers used to handle lubricants are clean and store lubricants protected from dust moisture and other contaminants. IMPORTANT: Before any Maintenance or Inspection is done please review and follow safety guidelines laid out in section 2.0. IMPORTANT: The period for recommended lubrication and maintenance is based on normal conditions. Severe or unusual conditions may require more frequent lubrication or oil changes. IMPORTANT: These items must be well maintained and checked routinely to maximize their lifespan. 11.1.1 Grease: Clean grease fittings before using a grease gun to prevent injecting contaminates. Replace any lost or broken fittings immediately. If a new fitting fails to take grease, remove it and check for failure of adjoining parts. SAE multipurpose high temperature extreme pressure (EP) grease with less than 1% molybdenum disulfide grease should be used for most grease points, NLGI #2 lithium base is recommended. Moly Grease EP ‐ 3% molybdenum disulfide NLGI #2 is specified strictly for drive couplers to extend component wear life. 11.2 U Joints IMPORTANT: On needle bearings (A), use of grease with more than 1% molybdenum disulfide content may lead to premature U joint failure. Figure 87: Needle Bearings ...
11.3 Gearbox Oil Level Gearbox oil levels should be checked routinely and filled to line (A) shown in Figure 45. Side plugs (B) can be found on all gearboxes and the lower side plug is used to measure the correct fill level. When gearboxes are filled with the proper amount of oil, the level should be just below the threads of side plug (A). Excess oil can be drained from the gearbox using side plug (B). Figure 45: Gearbox Oil Level Under filling the gearbox will cause a buildup of heat which when it reaches a critical level will cause seal failure which will cause gearbox failure. 11.4 Changing Gearbox Oil Gearbox Oil service interval is every 250 hours or annually. Although the oil will not break down in this time period dust, dirt and moisture can enter through the breather when the oil warms and cools during operation. These contaminants must be removed on a regular basis to ensure long life for working components. Access holes are located underneath the drain plug on all gearboxes allowing oil to be changed without removing the gearboxes from the defoliator frame. To change the oil: Before beginning to change oil it is important to clean around the fill (breather), level, and drain ports to prevent contamination. Place an oil catch pan under each gearbox remove the drain, level and fill (breather) plugs. While breather is out clean following section 11.5 Breather Cleaning. Allow each gearbox to drain for 10 minutes Install the drain plugs and dispose of used oil in an approved manner. Fill with SAE 80W90 EP (extreme pressure) until oil just starts to seep out of the lower oil level plug. Refer to Table 8 for approximate fill quantities. Install the level and fill plug. ...
11.5 Breather Cleaning The breather must be able to vent atmospheric conditions during heating and cooling cycles of operation. If it cannot vent, oil will seep out seals and run low. Prolonged operation with low oil levels will damage the internal components. To clean the breather: Clean Gearbox surface around breather to prevent contamination. Remove breather (A). Stop up the breather opening using a plastic plug or a clean rag to prevent contaminants from entering the gearbox. Soak the breather in solvent for one hour. Use a pointed instrument or wire to remove any residue from breather passages. Figure 46: Gearbox Breather Blow out the breather with high pressure air. Blow through the breather to ensure the passages are clear. Reinstall and tighten breather (A) in the gearbox. 11.6 Gearbox Torque Check all gearbox hardware when performing yearly maintenance if hardware is loose remove and reinstall with new hardware torque to the appropriate spec listing in Table 7. If gearbox is replaced, in a star pattern torque the hardware to roughly half the torque spec, then fully tighten to torque spec using Loctite 243 or equivalent. 46 ...
Table 8: Gearbox Capacity and Torque Gearbox Series Approx. Oil Capacity* Fastener Torque Spec.** 2100 57 oz / 1.69 Liters 5/8" grade 5 Hex Bolt 170 lb‐ft(231 N‐m) 2125 95 oz / 2.81 Liters M16 class 8.8 Hex Bolt 183 lb‐ft(248 N‐m) M16 class 10.9 Flange Bolt 253 lb‐ft(343 N‐m) 2155 135 oz / 4 Liters M20 class 8.8 Hex Bolt 325 lb‐ft(441 N‐m) *Oil capacity varies with gearset installed final, oil level should be filled to lower oil level plug. **All fasteners should be installed with Loctite 243 and torqued to spec. do not retighten after installing. 11.7 Flails The position and condition of the rotation flails is crucial to the quality of the defoliator job done by the machine. The flails must be positioned exactly over the rows to optimally clean the foliage and tailing from the beets. All flails must be in good condition. Any missing flails could affect the balance of the rotor and lead to severe vibration. Steel Flails: 1. Row spacing: Steel flails row spacing is not adjustable. If row spacing must be changed a genuine pre‐balanced replacement drum(s) is available for your Amity defoliator. Please see your parts manual for the appropriate part number(s). 2. Flail replacement: ...
Page 53
NOTE: When individual steel flails are replaced the flails on the opposite side should also be replaced to maintain the drum balance. NOTE: Steel drums on defoliators rotate at approximately 1000 RPMs; if all new flails are installed on the drum it should be balanced to prevent excess vibration. Rubber Flails: 1. Row Spacing: Normally row spacing is set once from the factory and will not need to be changed unless the customer changes crop spacing. To set spacing: a. Open defoliator top doors for access to flails. b. Determine the required flail position by measuring from the center of the machine. c. Mark the center positon required for each flail basket. d. Loosen the flail basket bolts clamping the rings onto the drum. e. Slide the assemblies to the desired position on the drum. f. Retighten flail ring bolts securing the basket to the drum. 2. Flail Replacement: a. Open defoliator top doors for access to flails. b. Inspect all flails and determine which ones need to be replaced. c. Remove flail rod mounting bolt. d. Remove flail rod. e. Replace missing or damaged flails using only genuine Amity parts. Refer to the parts manual Figure 48: Rubber Flail for the appropriate part numbers. ...
11.8 Servicing Intervals Before 1 Use: 1. Grease hitch, row finder, scalper baskets, U joints, and PTO driveline 2. Check all gearbox oil levels. 2 Hours: 1. Inspect Defoliator and clean mud if necessary. 12 Hours: 1. Grease front hitch pivot, row finder and lift, steerable struts, drive couplers, hanger bearings. 2. Inspect all drums for missing or damaged flails. 3. Check Scalper knives and sharpen if needed. 50 Hours: 1. Check oil level in gearboxes. Fill to proper level if low. Check more often if leaks are noticed. 2. Grease all U joints and driveshaft, scalper pivot points, front hitch rear pivot, ratchet jacks and stabilizer wheels. 250 Hours or Annually: 1. Clean defoliator and inspect all wear components. 2. Change oil in gearboxes 80W90 EP (ISO VG 150 EP). 3. Clean gearbox breathers. 4. Purge rear wheel bearings. 49 ...
11.10 PTO Driveline Servicing The first lubrication interval should be 16 to 24 hours of operation after initial start‐up. Then follow the schedule outlined in Table 8. NOTE: Lubricate all fittings with a good quality lithium soap compatible E.P. grease meeting the NLGI #2 specifications and containing no more than 1% molybdenum disulfide Figure 49: PTO CV Shaft 52 ...
Page 58
Figure 50: PTO STD Shaft NOTE: Replacement parts are not lubricated. They must be lubricated at the time of assembly. Use amounts listed above per location. Then, follow the above recommendations. Table 9: PTO Driveline Servicing DESCRIPTION FREQUENCY QUANTITY Cross and Bearings 50 Hours 5 pumps Telescoping Members 50 Hours 8‐10 pumps CV Ball and Socket 50 Hours 5 pumps CV Center Housing 50 Hours 30 pumps Non Rotating Guard Bushings 50 Hours 5 pumps (1000 RPM MAX.) 53 ...
12.0 TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION Beets tops not clean. Defoliator height not properly Verify defoliator height is correctly set; see section 7.0. This should be done every time field, variety or conditions change. Traveling too quickly Reduce travel speed until beets satisfactorily clean.
Page 60
PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION Scalper does not Knives dull Sharpen knives or replace if worn. properly top beets. Adjust knife height and cut angle to Knife not properly set have the correct depth and cut flat. Basket not properly set Adjust scalper bar height so basket has proper travel range for defoliator height.
Page 61
PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION Row finder leaking Fittings loose Tighten if you find any loose fittings. Spool seals worn Rebuild or replace row finder valve. Rear lift cylinders External oil leak Find the source of the leak and repair leaking down or replace leaking component.
Page 62
issues the shear bolt may be upgraded to a 7/16" GR 8 bolt to replace the 7/16" GR 5 that is standard (3750 only). Mud build-up under top Operating conditions Tough conditions will require doors additional cleaning.
13.0 Appendices 13.1 Conversions 1 acre= .404 hectares 1 mph= 1.609 kph 1 acre= 43,560 square feet 1 mile= 1.609 km 1 inch= 2.54 cm 1 psi= 6.895 kPa 1 foot= 0.3048 m 1 GPM= 3.785 LPM 1 lb= .45359 kg 1 hp= .746 kw 1 lb= 16 oz 1 ft‐lb= 1.356 N∙m 13.2 Trantorque Installation Procedures Shaft and bore diameters along with surface finishes are critical for the proper installation of a Trantorque bushing. These specifications are held at the factory during manufacturing. If it is necessary to disassemble and reassemble a Trantorque application that is undamaged and intact the following procedures will insure a positive installation. If it is necessary to replace a unit in which the Trantorque or shaft may have come loose, rotated or been damaged, a thorough inspection of the components is necessary to insure the failure will not reoccur. CAUTION: Do not use lubricants in this installation. The use of any lubricant on the contact surfaces may result in bushing failure and will void all warranties Both the shaft and component bore must be completely free of paint, grease, oil, dirt, and burrs. Clean the surfaces with a non‐petroleum based solvent such as isopropyl alcohol. Insert the Trantorque into the bore making sure the mating hub is flush against the shoulder at the hex flats. Insert the shaft fully and hand‐tighten the nut until the assembly becomes snug on the shaft. IMPORTANT: The shaft must fully engage the gripping area of the Trantorque. ...
13.3 Tools Amity has the following tools available: Trantorque sockets (#59107, #59108, #64820) Trantorque wrench (#64320) 13.4 PTO Driveshaft Friction Clutch Setting To set the friction clutch to the correct setting after rebuilding simple torque the clutch plate down evenly in a star pattern until the spacer collar is just able to move, but not loose. The collar holds a set distance which sets the clutch level. There are no torque spec for the bolts. 13.5 Easy Lock Assembly and Removal Removal: ® Remove the EASY LOCK tab with a screwdriver Figure 51. If the guard is chained, remove or hold back the chain to prevent it from blocking the bearing. Turn the bearing in the direction as indicated in Figure 52. Then, slide guard off the bearing. Assembly: Align the bearing tabs with the guard bell slots. Slide the bell onto the bearing. Turn the bearing to lock it in place. Figure 51: Remove Tab Snap the EASY LOCK tab into the ...
Page 65
Flail tubes include a rubber spacer to properly align gear depth when using the drive coupler. This rubber spacer ensures the flail tube is aligned properly on the mating gears of the gearbox shaft, drive coupler, and drive sleeve. During assembly, make sure all parts are included as shown in the Parts Manual, and then slide the drive coupler to all the way back to press on the rubber spacer. This centers the mating gears as shown below so they engage properly. Only one snap ring will be needed on the gearbox shaft towards the side nearest the gearbox body as illustrated in the Parts Manual. This should also assist in ease of disassembly of the flail tube from the gearbox shaft. Figure 53: Cross‐section of flail tube to gearbox assembly 60 ...
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Date Related No. Page Description 4/26/06 2125 & 2155 w/Overrunning Clutch R&R 1 of 9 Description: This is a description of the steps required to completely disassemble and reassemble gearbox code S2100100033, which is a three-way S2100 with overrunning clutch on the Z-axis.
Page 68
Rear Cover Plate Use the pry bar to remove the rear cover plate from the gearbox. Some distortion of the lip will occur. The cover plate is malleable, so the lip can be hammered back into shape for reassembly. Use the seal puller to remove the oil seals (which must be replaced upon reassembly).
Page 69
Press (or use soft face hammer if a press is unavailable) the X-Y shaft out of the gearbox, in the direction shown. This will also remove the ball bearing from the gearbox casting. X-Y Shaft Ball Bearing The ball bearing may be removed from the X-Y shaft in several different ways. Note that pressure applied to the outer race may damage the balls and raceways.
Page 70
Remove the gear and inner race of the taper roller bearing. Press the outer race out of the casting, using a short piece of metal tube that fits loosely inside the bore. Remove gear and inner race/rollers Press inner bearing race from housing using a short piece of tube Remove the snap...
Page 71
Press (or use soft face hammer if press is unavailable) the Z-shaft out of the back of the gearbox. There are a couple of divots on either side of Divots the casting. Use a punch to drive out the ball bearing and outer race of the taper roller bearing via these divots.
Page 72
Assembly Press the ball bearing into place, using a piece of tube that contacts the outer race only (pressure on the inner race may damage the bearing). Press the outer outer race of the taper roller bearing through the back side of the casting.
Page 73
Insert one spring into each hole in the Z-shaft. Place the three (3) pawls into the grooves in the Z-shaft, with the shaped edge oriented as shown: While holding the three pawls compressed on top of their springs, slide the pinion gear over the top of the shaft in position.
Page 74
Ball Bearing Tapered Roller Position Bearing Positon Adjusting Preload and Backlash Add shims between the ball bearing and snap ring until their is no freeplay in the shaft (i.e. movement in or out), but the bearings rotate smoothly. This sets the proper preload on the bearings.
Page 75
Completing Assembly Check that all snap rings are fully engaged in their grooves. Clean the shafts and bores of the casting of any debris. Coat the inside lip of the oil seals with gear oil. Press the oil seals into their bores, paying attention to not damage the sealing lip while it passes over the shaft.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the 3750 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers