The device is a PROFILMATIC® 2000 A Tree Hedger, manufactured by COLLARD, a specialist in vine trimmers and viticultural equipment. This instruction manual (CA 1202-C) provides comprehensive information for its safe and effective use, installation, operation, adjustment, and maintenance.

Function Description

The PROFILMATIC® 2000 A Tree Hedger is designed exclusively for hedging the excess vegetation on fruit trees. It operates as a front-mounted unit on a tractor, specifically in an "inter-row" configuration. The machine uses multiple cutting elements with saw blades to trim vegetation. The cutting elements can be adjusted for height, gap, and inclination, allowing for precise and adaptable hedging operations.

Important Technical Specifications

The PROFILMATIC® 2000 A is a hedger unit operating with two half-rows, equipped with two side elements featuring Ø450 mm saw blades.

Cutting Elements and Weight: The machine can be configured with varying quantities of cutting elements per side, impacting its cutting height and weight:

3 blades: Cutting height 1250 mm, Weight 715 Kg
4 blades: Cutting height 1650 mm, Weight 730 Kg
5 blades: Cutting height 2050 mm, Weight 745 Kg
6 blades: Cutting height 2450 mm, Weight 760 Kg
7 blades: Cutting height 2850 mm, Weight 775 Kg
8 blades: Cutting height 3250 mm, Weight 790 Kg
9 blades: Cutting height 3650 mm, Weight 805 Kg

The frame height above the ground is specified at 350 mm, which is crucial for calculating trimming rates.

Hydraulic System (Ref: 0502 2981): The hydraulic system is complex and critical for the machine's operation. It includes:

4 hydraulic motors (15 cc with drainage)
1 feeding flap for the motor circuit
Blades rotation speed limited to 2500 rpm MAX
Line filter outside of the hydraulic system
Drainage collector
Required feeding flow: 40 L/min
Required pressure: 180 bar
1 cylinder to adjust the height (stroke = 1250 mm)
4 cylinders (stroke = 300 mm) to adjust the gap (global stroke for one side = 600 mm)
2 cylinders (stroke = 300 mm) to ensure the deployment of the arms
Oil: All brands observing AFNOR NF 48-603 HV rule (e.g., Equivis ZS 46 / 68).
Pressure limiter for cylinders (PPV) at 120 bar.
Pressure limiter for motors (PPM) at 180 bar.
Flow regulators for cylinders (5 L/min and 40 L/min).

The hydraulic system includes a switching system for "open center - closed center" configurations, with specific components (Ref: 0500 9088, 0502 3355) for this functionality.

Electrical Control (Ref: 0000 1537): The machine is controlled via a control box with a joystick and female plug (Ref: 0504 8305). Key electrical components include:

Press buttons (normally open and closed) for various functions (Ref: 0504 8261, 0504 8260).
A 3-position change-over switch (Ref: 0504 8466).
Emergency stop button (Ref: 0504 8292).
Green (12V) and Red (12V) signal lights (Ref: 0504 8290, 0504 8289).
ON/OFF switch (Ref: 0504 8293).
Fuse holder with an 8Amp fuse (Ref: 0504 8215, 0504 8216).
Power supply plug (Ref: 0504 8554).
Female plug (Ref: 0504 8294) and male plug 16 contacts (Ref: 0504 8295).
Complete bundles of wires with plugs (Ref: 0504 8307, 0504 8306).

Usage Features

Installation: The unit is front-mounted on a tractor, preferably one equipped with power steering or hydrostatic steering due to the significant load on the front axle. Reinforcements must be mounted to ensure good stability, with specific geometric requirements for angle (A° > 45°), length L1 (as short as possible), distance L2 (as long as possible, further than the front wheel axle), and height H (as high as possible). The tractor's robustness must be sufficient to support the machine's weight. Transport and installation require a forklift truck adapted to the load, with strict adherence to safety instructions to prevent accidents.

Operation and Set Up:

Mechanical Controls: Before starting, ensure blades can rotate freely without obstruction and maintain a 5 mm spacing between horizontal and vertical blades.
Starting: A breaking-in period is necessary for new PROFILMATIC® machines: 1 hour at 700-800 rpm, then 30 minutes at 1000-1500 rpm.
Control of Running: The oil temperature should not exceed 70 degrees Celsius.
Hydraulic Checks: Use reference oil Norm AFNOR NF 48-603 HV (e.g., EQUIVIS ZS 68). The oil filter must be clean, and oil should be changed annually. The pump must provide the necessary pressure and flow (40 L/min, 180 bar). The maximum flow should not exceed 60 L/min (15.9 GPM). If the tractor's pump flow is too high and not adjustable, a regulation device must be installed to prevent overheating and damage to the hydraulic system.

Adjustments:

Inclination of Cutting Elements: This adjustment is exclusively performed in a workshop setting, requiring specific tools (Ref: 0504 2860, 70 mm wrench, 27 mm wrench) and careful maintenance of the cutting element during adjustment.
Play in Sliding Tubes: Play is limited by an adjustable stop mechanism. To reduce wear, loosen counternuts (Ref: 0501 1208) and tighten center screws (Ref: 0501 0814) to bring the screw into contact with the stop mechanism and the sliding tube. Plastic plugs (Ref: 0501 4315, 0501 4309, 0501 4316, 0501 4314) should be checked for wear and replaced with original spare parts.
Speed of Cylinder's Rod: A flow limiter on the cylinder regulates the speed of displacement, allowing for "Faster" or "Slower" adjustments.

Maintenance Features

Safety Instructions:

Always switch off the blade rotation mechanism before switching on the tractor, during transit, or when the driver leaves the vehicle.
Before any cleaning, adjustments, repairs, or maintenance, switch off the hydraulic energy source, lower all cylinders, and ensure all removable protective housings are in place (except when working on blades).
Wear protective glasses if the tractor cabin is not enclosed.
Tighten all screws, nuts, and connections before use.
Keep people away from the cutting device when blades are in motion. Sound the horn at the start of each tree row.
Switch off the blade rotation mechanism when leaving a tree row or maneuvering the tractor.
Replace protective housings after each use and during transit.
Do not remove or modify fixed protective parts.
Handling must be done using the provided lifting ring.
Wear leather gloves when working on blades.
Stop and inspect the motor if abnormal vibrations are felt.
Replace deformed or marked blades; do not attempt to rectify them.
Replace NYLSTOP nuts with new ones each time blades are removed.
Only COLLARD-approved dealers are authorized to intervene on hydraulic adjustments.
The conformity plate must never be removed.
Never leave the driver's cab when the tractor is moving.
No one is authorized near the machine's trajectory during operation.
Never clean or release accumulated vegetation while the machine is operating; ensure the engine is stopped and the machine is immobilized.
During road movements, stop the electric controller's feeding (emergency switch engaged) to prevent accidental movement.
For machines with protective grates, ensure horizontal cutting elements are at least 250 mm (10 inches) inside the lower and upper edges of the grates.

Annual Maintenance:

Change the oil of the hydraulic circuit.
Change the filter cartridge if polluted.
Use only recommended oils.

Periodic Maintenance (During Trimming Season):

Weekly: Remove vegetable debris, grease sliding parts of tubes, and check/adjust play in tubes.
After Each Trimming Session: Clean all vegetable debris, check blades, and put protective covers back on.

Blades Maintenance:

Blades are assembled on the shaft with 2 M8 screws.
To maintain trimming quality, clean blades after each trimming day by scraping off accumulated vegetation with a knife.
Sharpen blades if necessary.

Replacement of Blades:

Perform intervention safely: machine stopped, hydraulic pump stopped, operator wearing leather gloves.
Disassembly: Remove cap Ø26, unscrew locknut M10 (while maintaining blade), remove cup, remove 2 M8 screws (while maintaining blade), extract blade.
Reassembly: Install new blade (ensure attachment wedge is embedded), reinstall M8 screws (tightening torque: 3 daN.m), reinstall cup, reinstall new locknut M10 and tighten, reinstall new cap Ø26.
Note: On vertical cutting elements, the cut is done going up from the ground.
Plastic Plug Assembly: Insert the plastic plug into the cupel using a mallet until it does not exceed the cupel. Remove any plastic chips.

Belts Poly V Maintenance:

Disassembly: Remove housing(s), remove belt by drawing it towards the outside of the pulley and advancing it according to arrows. Replace belts ONLY with original models.
Mounting: Use the provided assembly tool (Ref: COLLARD 0105 0157) to avoid damage. Position the smooth face outwards, grooved face inwards. Place the tool in the pulley, position the belt in the groove of the opposite pulley, rotate to engage the belt, remove the tool, and finish positioning by hand.
Mounting on Motorized Elements: Remove the entire motor assembly (A) with its fixing plate (B) by loosening 4 nuts (C). Ensure bearing surfaces are clean during assembly. Recommended tightening torque for nuts (C) is 1.5 daN.m.

Hydraulic Filter Maintenance (Ref. 0502 6044):

First Operation: After 1.5 hours of operation, check and service the filter to eliminate pollution.
- Clean the module and surrounding area.
- Disconnect hose, remove filtering element.
- Unscrew top closing part.
- Soak element in detergent (gasoline, diesel, or benzene) for 5 minutes.
- Blow compressed air through the porous element from inside to outside.
- Dry the element.
- Reassemble carefully, ensuring joints are correct. Screw top closing part (do not force), clamping torque: 5 N.m.
- Reassemble filter on block and connect hose.
Subsequent Use: Check porous element at least once during trimming season. Clean before storing the trimmer.
Replacement: Change filter element every 2 years for normal use, every year for intensive use, or immediately if shocked or deteriorated.

Troubleshooting (Hydraulic System): The manual provides a table of anomalies, probable causes, and checks/remedies for issues such as slow blade rotation or high circuit temperature. Interventions on the hydraulic system (except cartridge filter change) must be done by approved technicians.

COLLARD PROFILMATIC 2000 A - Page 38