Tractor Preparation, Fitting Operator Guard

ASSEMBLY

TRACTOR PREPARATION

Fitting Operator Guard

Use tractor with safety glass windows if possible and fit Operator guard using the hooks provided. Shape mesh to cover all vulnerable areas. Remember the driver must be looking through mesh and/or polycarbonate glazing when viewing the flail head in any working position - unless the tractor/cab manufacturer can demonstrate that the penetration resistance is equivalent to, or higher than, that provided by mesh/ polycarbonate glazing. If the tractor has a roll bar only, a frame must be made to carry both mesh and polycarbonate glazing.

Wheel Width: Set wheel widths as wide as possible.

Lift Links: Adjust lift links until they are equal length.

Tractor Ballast: It is imperative when attaching ‘third-party’ equipment to a tractor that the maximum possible stability of the machine and tractor combination is achieved – this can be accomplished by the utilization of ‘ballast’ in order to counter-balance the additional equipment added.

Front weights may be required to place 15% of total outfit weight on the front axle for stable transport on the road and to reduce ‘crabbing’ due to the drag of the cutting unit when working on the ground.

Rear weights may be required to maintain a reasonable amount of rear axle load on the opposite wheel from the arms when in work; for normal off-ground work i.e. hedge cutting this should be 20% of rear axle weight or more for adequate control, and for ground work i.e. verge mowing with experienced operators, this can be reduced to 10%. All factors must be addressed in order to match the type and nature of the equipment added to the circumstances under which it will be used – in the instance of Power Arm Hedge cutters it must be remembered that the machines centre of gravity during work will be constantly moving and will differ from that during transport mode, therefore balance becomes critical.

Factors that effect stability:

•Center of gravity of the tractor/machine combination.

•Geometric conditions, e.g. position of the cutting head and ballast.

•Weight, track width and wheelbase of the tractor.

•Acceleration, braking, turning and the relative position of the cutting head during these operations.

•Ground conditions, e.g. slope, grip, load capability of the soil/surface.

•Rigidity of implement mounting.

RMB 1865 11/10

Assembly Section 3-3