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BEFCO ® Operator’s Manual TORNADO Rotary Cutter RSD-142, RSD-148, RSD-160, RSD-172 RRB-148, RRB-160, RRB-172 RRB-248, RRB-260, RRB-272 The operator’s manual is a technical service guide and must always accompany the machine. Manual 971-134B November 2012...
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SAFETY Take note! This safety alert symbol found throughout this manual is used to call your attention to instructions involving your personal safety and the safety of others. Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury or death. This symbol means: ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
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It is in your best interest to insure that this has been done. Warranty does not cover the following: 1. Cleaning, transporting, mailing and service call charges. 2. Normal wear items such as blades, bearings, wheels, drivelines, shear pins, slip clutches, etc. See Chapter 8 - Warranty. BEFCO ENERAL NFORMATION...
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Attached to the frame is an ID plate showing the model and the serial number. Record your implement model and serial number in the space provided below. Your dealer needs this information to give you prompt, efficient service when you order parts. BEFCO ENERAL NFORMATION...
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5. Clear area to be cut of stones, branches or other debris that might be thrown, causing injury or damage. 6. Operate only in daylight or good artificial light. 7. Ensure rotary cutter is properly mounted, adjusted and in good operating condition. BEFCO AFETY RECAUTIONS...
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3. Keep away from rotating blades and driveline. 4. Keep guards and shields in place and in good condition. 5. Do not mow with bystanders in area. 6. Allow no riders on tractor or mower. 7. Allow moving parts to stop before repair. BEFCO AFETY RECAUTIONS...
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Additional warning and operating decals are available at no extra charge. Please specify model and serial number when ordering. Fig. 2 - Safety decals - implement; replace immediately if damaged. left side Red reflective decal right side BEFCO AFETY RECAUTIONS...
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RSD & RRB ’ ORNADO PERATOR ANUAL Safety decals - driveline; replace immediately if damaged. placed on outer shield placed on outer tube BEFCO AFETY RECAUTIONS...
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1. The use of this equipment is subject to certain hazards which cannot be prevented by mechanical means or product design. All operators of this equipment must read BEFCO PERATION...
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18. Stay alert for holes, rocks and roots in the terrain and other hidden hazards. Keep away from drop-offs. 19. Use extreme care and maintain minimum ground speed when transporting on hillside, over rough ground and when operating close to ditches or fences. Be careful when turning sharp corners. BEFCO PERATION...
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The implement is very heavy and a sudden fall could cause serious injury or death. See Chapter 4 - Maintenance. See Chapter 7 - Pre-Delivery Checklist. BEFCO PERATION...
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See Section 4.05 - Driveline, for instructions on how to determine correct driveline length and procedures for shortening the driveline. BEFCO PERATION...
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WARNING: For models with a shear bolt driveline: Failure to install the snap ring on input shaft will allow driveline to swing freely if bolt is sheared causing possible injury or death. nut M12-1.25 lock washer bolt M12-1.25x70 C8.8 slip clutch shield Fig. 4 - Driveline with slip clutch assembly. BEFCO PERATION...
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3.05 - Pre-Operational Check IMPORTANT: Check each of the following, carefully, prior to engaging the equipment: 1. The oil in the gearbox. 2. The wheel arm and wheel bearing have been greased. 3. The driveline cross and bearings have been greased. BEFCO PERATION...
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Turn off the tractor engine. Secure the hitch arms in place with the lynch pins. Failure to ensure a secure coupling of the See Removing or Installing Blades in section 4.03 - Blade Maintenance, for details. See Table 1, page 30. See Table 2, page 31. BEFCO PERATION...
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Serious damage can occur to the machine and/or the operator. See Section 3.03 - Assembly Instructions, for proper installation of the driveline to the rotary cutter. See Section 3.04 - Cutting Height Adjustment. BEFCO PERATION...
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The cutter blades can throw objects hundreds of feet which could result in personal or property damage. Pick up all rocks and other debris before mowing. Enter new areas carefully. Cut grass higher at first, allowing the machine to clear hidden objects. See Section 4.03 - Blade Maintenance. BEFCO PERATION...
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3.11 - Transport Before raising the rotary cutter for transport, the tractor top link must be adjusted so when lifted, the rear of the machine is higher than the front (the mower’s nose is tilted BEFCO PERATION...
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4. Always disengage PTO before raising the implement to transport position. 5. When raising the mower be sure the PTO driveline does not hit either the mower or the tractor. 6. During transport the mower should not be lifted over 14”-16” from the ground. BEFCO PERATION...
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12. Never replace hex bolts with less than grade five bolts unless otherwise specified, i.e. shear bolts 13. Where replacement parts are necessary for periodic maintenance and servicing, genuine replacement parts must be used to restore your equipment to original Refer to Table 1 - Torque Specifications, page 30. BEFCO AINTENANCE...
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See the driveline manufacturer operator’s manual for further information on the driveline. See Removing or Installing Blades in section 4.03 - Blade Maintenance, for details. BEFCO AINTENANCE...
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Fig. 8 - Blade replacement. Remove the top inspection plate to gain access to the rotor. Block the blade carrier rotor with a wrench and remove the blade bolt and blade. See Table 1, Torque Specifications, page 30. BEFCO AINTENANCE...
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This is extremely important to prevent damage to the cutter. IMPORTANT: When installing new blades, it is important that they be the same type and the same weight to ensure balance. An unbalanced rotor blade carrier can damage the cutter. BEFCO AINTENANCE...
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1. Insert the rotor/stump jumper assembly on the pinion shaft. 2. Bolt on the castle nut (see #6, fig. 10) and torque to 350 lb.ft. 3. Insert the castle nut cotter pin (see #7, fig. 10) and ensure it is seated into the rotor properly. BEFCO AINTENANCE...
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3. Cut off both guard tubes the same amount as marked in step 2. 4. Shorten both drive tubes the same amount as guard tubes. 5. De-burr and clean filings from drive tubes and apply grease to outside of inner telescoping tube. BEFCO AINTENANCE...
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Install ½”-13x3.5” grade 2 shear bolt through yoke and input shaft and secure with ½” nut Fig. 12 shear bolt ½"-13x3½" G2 Refer to Section 3.03 - Assembly Instructions, for additional information on proper driveline installation. BEFCO AINTENANCE...
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(see fig. 13). Follow the instructions in reverse, if while working under normal conditions the clutch does not slip at all. Refer to Section 3.03 - Assembly Instructions, for additional information on proper driveline installation. BEFCO AINTENANCE...
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Purchase a new shield if old shield is damaged or missing. When you are using a driveline equipped with a slip clutch, ensure that the metal slip clutch shield is properly mounted to the gearbox and in good condition. BEFCO AINTENANCE...
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Safety shield front and rear (for RRB-172 & 272) *Because of possible injury from thrown objects, all rotary cutters are potentially dangerous. Any rotary cutter intended for use along roadways or other locations where people may be present must be used with safety shielding in place. BEFCO AINTENANCE...
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After seasonal use it is important to perform the following for prolonged storage: 1. Wash the rotary cutter carefully. 2. Inspect the rotary cutter and replace worn or damaged parts. 3. Tighten all hardware. 4. Grease all areas indicated under Maintenance See Chapter 4 - Maintenance. BEFCO EPAIR ROCEDURES...
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9. Make sure all parked machines are on a hard, level surface, and engage all safety devices. Touch up paint available: Description Part # 7300007 Primer, gray - aerosol spray can 7300008 Paint, Befco orange - aerosol spray can 7300010 Paint, Befco black - aerosol spray can BEFCO EPAIR ROCEDURES...
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Allow material to dry. Material is too high. Raise cutting height. Reduce ground speed. Make two passes to cut. Machine smells hot or Slip clutch slipping. Check slip clutch. begins to smoke. Gearbox oil low. Check oil level in gearbox. BEFCO ROUBLESHOOTING...
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IMPORTANT: Warranty is not valid unless Pre-Delivery Checklist and Warranty Registration form in Operator’s Manual is completed in detail and mailed to the Company. Model Number: __________ Serial Number: __________ Delivery Date: __________ Dealer’s Signature: __________ BEFCO ELIVERY HECKLIST...
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1. LIMITED WARRANTY BEFCO, Inc. herein referred to as the Company, warrants its machines and related accessories, hereafter referred to as the Machine, to be free from defects in material and workmanship, for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of invoice to the first registered owner;...
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6. WARRANTY SERVICE Warranty Service must be performed by a dealer authorized by BEFCO. If the warranty service requested is approved, the owner shall pay only for labor beyond the rate allowed, for overtime labor, and for any mileage charge for transporting the equipment to and from the dealer’s shop.
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Operator’s Manual and literature published by the Company. Inspected by: Date: Date: Dealer’s Signature: Customer’s Signature: This registration along with a copy of the invoice must be sent to BEFCO, Inc. within 14 days of date of purchase.
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Place stamp here BEFCO, Inc. Warranty Department P.O. Box 6036 Rocky Mount, NC 27802-6036...
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Use only original spare parts All rights reserved. It is unlawful to copy, reprint or use any of the information or details in this manual without the expressed written permission of the Company. Technical information provided in this manual is approximate, the Company reserves the right to modify or improve the models shown for technical or commercial purposes.
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