MECHANICAL TRANSPLANTER 550 Nursery Stock Transplanter User Manual

MECHANICAL TRANSPLANTER 550 Nursery Stock Transplanter

Mechanical Transplanter Company

Parts Book for Model 550

• 10 Inside Chain Guard
• 11 32 Steel Chain for Direct Drive – 63 Links
• 12 Direct Drive Tire & Rim 521 Roll Pin
• 14 Outside Chain Guard
• 18 Unit Chain Tightener Bracket
• 19 Short Chain Tightener Pipe Bearing
• 22 Unit Chain Tightener Arm
• 23 Washer to Hold Spring
• 24 Long Chain Tightener Pipe Bearing
• 30 Wheel Chain Tightener Pipe Bearing
• 31 Main Frame of Rear Half
• 32 Wheel Chain Tightener Spring
• 33 Wheel Chain Tightener Arm
• 35 Lift Chain
• 38 Wheel Hub with Sprocket
• 39 Main Frame of Front Half
• 40 Left Clamp less U-Bolt
• 41 32 Steel Chain for Direct Drive – 34 Links
• 42 Right Clamp less U-Bolt 726 L Seat Bracket
• 43 Bushing for Clamp 727 1/2″ U-Bolt for Seat Bracket
• 44 Chain Lift Plate 740 7/8″ U-Bolt with Nuts
• 48 Right Direct Drive Clamp for 4×4 or 4×7
• 49 Left Direct Drive Clamp for 4×4 or 4×7
• 313 1/4 X 1-1/2″ Cotter Pin
• 328 3/4″ Flange Block
• 348DD 3/4″ Lower Shaft for Direct Drive
• 373 Chain Tightener Spring
• 376S Tension Spring
• 381 7 Tooth Spacing Sprocket
• 381I 7 Tooth Idler Sprocket
• 383 9 Tooth Spacing Sprocket
• 386 Direct Drive Drawbar Shaft
• 386P Shaft Clip Pin
• 395-550 Model 550 Shoe, 10″ deep, 1-1/2″ wide
• 416 3/4″ Oilite Bearing
• 434 7/8″ Oilite Wheel Bearing
• 436B L-Bolts for Pocket Guides
• 440 Spring with UHMW Rollers
• 445 Double Neoprene Gripper OE-74 COLB
• 450 Pocket Main Frame V3-D Pocket Complete less Separating Bar
• 452 Pocket Attaching Bolt
• 462 11 Tooth Wheel Sprocket
• 522 Clip Pin
• 529WP Wide Wheel Scraper Plastic Only
• 535 550 & 580 Wheel Scraper Extension
• 550PF 550 Planter Frame
• 581 Pocket Disc for 550 (20 Pocket)
• 583 Pocket Guide
• 584L Left Plant Box Stand
• 584R Right Plant Box Stand
• 586 Extension Plate
• 637 Fiberglass Seat Bracket
• 639AHDD Direct Drive Packing Wheel Hub
• 639WAL Wide Adj. Packing Wheel less Hub
• 640 Wide Plant Box – 16″ (each)
• 650 Foot Rest for Models SU-3, 500, 525, 550
• 715 3/8″ U-Bolt for Coulters & Direct Drive
• 1000AL Axle for Left Side of Model 1000
• 1000AR Axle for Right Side of Model 1000
• 1907 Pocket Wire
• 1908 Double Neoprene Gripper
• 4728 Jackshaft Pipe Spacer
• 4729 Direct Drive Shear Pin
• FC167 5/16 x 2″ Carriage Bolt
• FC205 3/8 x 3/4″ Carriage Bolt
• FC209 3/8 x 1″ Carriage Bolt
• FC213 3/8 x 1-1/2″ Carriage Bolt
• FC335 1/2 x 1-1/2″ Carriage Bolt
• FH227 3/8 x 3-1/4″ Hex Head Cap Screw
• FH335 1/2 x 1-1/2″ Hex Head Cap Screw
• FMB500 7/8″ Machinery Bushing
• FNH150 5/16″ Finished Hex Nut
• FNH300 1/2″ Finished Hex Nut
• FW300 1/2″ U.S.S. Flat Washer
• Fiberglass Seat with Cut-out less Bracket

Mechanical Transplanter Company, LLC
1150 Central Avenue Holland, Michigan 49423
Phone: 616-396-8738 Fax: 616-396-3619
www.mechanicaltransplanter.com
mtc@mechanicaltransplanter.com

General Operating and Maintenance Instructions

REGULATING PLANT SETTING DEPTH: All new operators should take care to see that the plants are placed well down in the pockets so that the plant is held firmly. The depth for setting of plants can be regulated by the distance that root is extended out of the pocket.
CHAIN UNITS: Make sure the upper conveyor sprocket isn’t over tightened, causing the chain to become stretched between the upper and lower sprockets. This will put unnecessary friction on the unit perhaps causing the packing wheels to slip on rear drive units. Tighten the wing nuts equally so the chain runs level.
ADJUSTING AND SETTING SHOE: Whenever any adjustment is made, be sure to get the shoe directly square and straight in front of the opening of the wheels so the pockets travel through the middle of the shoe. The shoe can be adjusted ahead or back with brace fastened on the right side of the unit frame. In loose, dry soil, the shoe should be set back and closer to the packing wheels or ahead and away from the packing wheels in heavy, wet soil. KEEP SHOE CLEAN at all times. Don’t allow soil to build up on sides or trash in front of the shoe as this will cause the shoe to make a wider fur-row, and the packing wheels will be unable to bring the soil back in around the plants. It may be necessary to add a coulter to the unit to cut this trash if it’s a problem. Also, make sure the soil is worked deeper than the penetrating depth of the shoe. Hard pan soil under the shoe will cause the unit to ride up and lose its traction.
CAUTION: PULL UNIT FORWARD ONLY. Backing up causes damage to pockets and can plug shoe up with dirt.
ADJUSTING WATER VALVE: The water valve has a ball check tripped from below. The reservoir allows water supply to build up between plants. There is a fl oat in the top of this reservoir to automatically close when filled. This air allows water to drop quickly as it is tripped by each plant. The AMOUNT OF WATER IS CONTROLLED BY SIMPLY ADJUSTING THE BALL VALVE to regulate the amount of water you want by each plant. Be careful, too much water in dry fluff y soil can cause the plant to fl oat to the top of the furrow. The rocker arm and cam which is bolted onto frame of planter for tripping valve has a slot in it for adjusting timing of water. When rocker is moved up, the water will trip sooner. When moved down, it will trip later.
AIR VALVE FLOAT : Once each season the cap at the top of valve should be removed to check condition of the air valve fl oat. This small ball can be floated to the top with water or pulled out with a piece of wire for inspection. This fl oat is the critical to the operation of this valve. It and the rubber at the top should be replaced if not in good condition.
INSTALLING NEW BOTTOM CHECK BALL: Remove the valve from planter. Then remove bottom spout and the adjustable slide on trip rod. Unscrew plastic seat from tee. New check ball with stem can then be easily inserted. Do not tighten nut on stem completely, but leave enouph play for the ball to wobble, allowing it to self center itself in the plastic seat.
MAKE SURE THE WATER IS DRAINED OUT OF THE VALVE AT THE END OF EACH SEASON OR IT WILL FREEZE AND DESTROY THE INSIDE OF THE VALVE!

Float Wheel Direct Drive Operating Instructions

Run the fl oat wheel with only 4 to 5 pounds of pressure during operation. Plant spacing can be changed slightly by increasing or decreasing the tire pressure.
Be sure to run the planting unit level with the soil. Then check that the toolbar is in the middle of the hitch so that frame members #23 and #20 are STRAIGHT IN LINE. Do not run the front frame (#20) up as this will take weight off from the wheel. For toolbars that are not adjustable for height you may have to use the lower holes on the front clamp plates to get the frame to run straight.
The hitch and wheel will fl oat freely and sense uneven soil conditions if set properly. DO NOT TIGHTEN LIFT CHAINS. They must be loose when planting. If you can not lift the units high enough, raise the lower arms on your tractor by cranking them up. Do not tighten the chains.
For some unusual spacings, an extra link or two may be added to the drive chains.
If more weight is needed on the back of the unit for proper packing, use the optional
OE-73 weight bracket.

Safety Precautions

1. Make sure tractor is stopped and in neutral with the transplanter lowered to the ground before getting on and off the unit.
2. No operator is allowed to be on the unit as it is raised and lowered.
3. No operator is allowed on the transplanted as it is transported to or from the field.
4. All operators must be seated before movement begins and remain seated until the transplanted is completely stopped.
5. Never leave the transplanter in the raised position.
6. Keep all shields and guards in place when operating the transplanter.
7. Never attempt repairs or maintenance while the transplanter is in motion.
8. Never put the tractor in reverse while the transplanted is on the ground.
9. Follow all safety instructions supplied by the tractor manufacturer to which the transplanted is mounted.

MACHINE IMPROVEMENTS

MECHANICAL TRANSPLANTER CO. IS ALWAYS STRIVING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS ON THEIR LINE OF EQUIPMENT. MECHANICAL TRANSPLANTER CO. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND CHANGES AT ANY TIME WITHOUT INCURRING OBLIGATIONS TO MAKE SUCH CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO EQUIPMENT PREVIOUSLY SOLD.

Limited Warranty

Mechanical Transplanted Company warrants each item of new equipment manufactured by Mechanical to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service.
The obligation of Mechanical Transplanted Company under this LIMITED WARRANTY is limited to repairing or replacing as Mechanical may elect, and any parts that prove, in Mechanical’s judgment, to be defective in material and workmanship within the first season’s use or 45 consecutive days after initially placing equipment in operation, whichever occurs first. Any outside work or alterations without Mechanical’s written approval will render the LIMITED WARRANTY void.
Mechanical’s obligation specifically excludes any liability for consequential damages, such as loss of profits, delays, expenses, damage to goods or property used in connection with or processed in or by the product sold, or damage to the product sold from whatsoever cause, whether or not such loss is due to negligence of selling dealer of Mechanical Tran planter Company.
This limited warranty shall not apply to any item or machine which shall have been operated in a manner not recommended by the Company nor which shall have been repaired, altered, misused, damaged in an accident, neglected, tampered with or used in any way which in the Company’s opinion adversely affects its performance and results.
No person is authorized to give any other warranties or to assume any other liability on behalf of Mechanical Transplanted Company, unless made in writing by Mechanical.
This limited warranty covers repair or replacement of Mechanical Transplanted Co. equipment only and does not cover crop loss, downtime, labor, damage to other equipment, etc.
This limited warranty does not apply to exterior finishes, tires, chain links, bearings, or any other items sold by Mechanical Transplanted Co., but warranted by the original manufacturer except to the extent of their individual manufacturer’s warranty.
THIS LIMITED WARRANT IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT ABILITY AND FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXCLUDED, AS ARE ALL OTHER REPRESENTATIONS TO THE USER-PURCHASER, AND ALL OTHER OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES, INCLUDING LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ON THE PART OF MECHANICAL OR THE SELLER.

Mechanical Transplanter Company, LLC
1150 Central Avenue *Holland, Michigan 49423
Phone: 616-396-8738 or 800-757-5268 Fax: 616-396-3619
www.mechanicaltransplanter.com
mtc@mechanicaltransplanter.com

References

• Mechanical Transplanter Company

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