The H&S Twin Merger is an agricultural implement designed for merging windrows of crops. This manual provides detailed instructions for its operation, maintenance, and parts.
Function Description:
The H&S Twin Merger is designed to consolidate multiple windrows of forage crops into a single, larger windrow, optimizing the efficiency of subsequent harvesting operations such as baling or chopping. It features two pickup heads that gather crop material from the field and convey it to a central cross conveyor, which then discharges the merged material into a new windrow. The machine is available in both 9-foot and 12-foot pickup head configurations, offering flexibility for various field sizes and crop volumes. Hydraulic systems control the raising, lowering, and lateral movement of the pickup heads, as well as the operation of the conveyor belts. An optional accelerator attachment is available for merging wider windrow cuts.
Important Technical Specifications:
General Dimensions (Approximate):
- Base Unit Height (Transport): 7'3"
- Base Unit Height (Working Position): 7'3"
- Base Unit Width (Transport): 13'3"
- Base Unit Width (Working Position): 33'8"
- Base Unit Length (Transport): 39'11"
- Base Unit Length (Working Position): 34'
Weight:
- 9' Pickup: 10,000 lbs.
- 12' Pickup: 10,500 lbs.
- Tongue Weight (Transport): 800 lbs.
Pickup Head Specifications:
- Individual Pickup Width:
- 9' model: 9'
- 12' model: 12'
- Cross Conveyor Width: 54"
Tire Sizes:
- Frame Tail Wheels: 11L x 15 - 8 Ply
- Frame Front Wheels: 11L x 15 LRF Hiway Service
- Frame Gauge Wheels: 18.5 x 8.5 - 8
- Pickup Gauge Wheels: 18.5 x 8.5 - 8
Merging Capabilities:
Tractor Requirements:
- Minimum Horsepower: 100 H.P.
- Recommended Horsepower: 120 H.P.
- PTO Shaft: 1000 RPM 1-3/8" - 21 Spline
- Hydraulic System: Minimum flow of 5 GPM and minimum pressure of 2000 PSI.
Hydraulic System Details:
The merger utilizes both the tractor's hydraulic system and a self-contained, PTO-driven hydraulic system.
- Tractor Hydraulics: Used for operating pole cylinders and pickup head cylinders (raising, lowering, and sliding). Requires a minimum flow of 5 GPM and 2000 PSI.
- Merger's Self-Contained Hydraulics: PTO-driven, supplies oil to hydraulic motors for pickup belts and cross conveyor belts. The merger pole serves as the hydraulic reservoir.
- Oil Cooling: Fans for oil cooler radiators are located on the merger pole and must operate correctly to prevent overheating.
- Maintenance: Oil filter replacement annually, oil replacement every other year or when discolored.
Electrical System:
- Tractor Plug: Requires a seven-pin electric plug. The manual provides a wiring diagram for the joystick plug, detailing connections for ground, work lights, turn signals, +12V to control box, tail lights, and fan.
Usage Features:
- Tractor Set-up:
- Drawbar should be set at least 17 inches off the ground and extended to its farthest position for optimal clearance and turning.
- Tractor three-point hitch arms should be removed to prevent interference with the hydraulic shut-off valve on the pole.
- PTO shaft must be 1000 RPM 1-3/8" 21 spline.
- Pre-Operation Checklist: Includes tightening bolts, checking chains, lubricating, installing drawbar extension and hitch pin, connecting PTO and hydraulic hoses, removing lift jack weight, and inflating tires to recommended pressures (front: 90 PSI, gauge wheel: 50 PSI, rear: 36 PSI).
- Joystick Control Box: Used to control raising/lowering and sliding of pickup heads. For 9' heads, a single plug connects the control box to the main wiring harness. For 12' heads, additional hydraulic hoses are connected to the tractor.
- Cross Conveyor Operation: Toggle switches on the control box allow for stopping both cross conveyors while pickup heads operate (optional stop feature), or reversing them.
- Load Leveler: Automatically transfers a portion of the machine's weight to the rear carry wheels and tractor drawbar.
- Transport Locks: Three transport locks (ball valves for heads, one near the pole bend) must be used during transport and in the open/storage position during operation.
- Transport Speed: Should not exceed 20 M.P.H.
- Frame Gauge Wheels: Keep the frame from contacting uneven ground. Must be raised for transport.
- Tail Wheel Adjustment: Adjustable brake assembly on each tail wheel pivot spindle to prevent zig-zag motion while allowing pivoting for turns. Improper adjustment can cause tire wear and damage.
- Pickup Adjustment: Belt tension is adjusted by tightening take-up bolts. Proper tension is achieved when 1-1/2" of slack can be pulled in the center of the two outside belts. Pickup height is adjusted via gauge wheels to ensure teeth run 1/2" above the ground.
- Wind Deflector Adjustment: Can be raised for heavy crops or lowered for lighter crops by repositioning pins. Can be pivoted backward for transport.
- Conveyor Adjustments: Cross conveyor belt tension is adjusted by tightening take-up bolts on the two rollers at the center of the machine, compressing springs to 3-1/4".
- Optional Accelerator Adjustment: Adjust cam evenly on both sides to tighten chain and square accelerator to frame.
Maintenance Features:
- Lubrication: 42 grease fittings on the base merger, plus two on the optional accelerator. Daily greasing is recommended during normal use, and before/after storage and power washing. Use high-quality grease, ensuring it comes out around sleeve-type bearings and forms a slight bead at seals for ball bearings. Wipe off excess grease. Oil roller chains daily (optional accelerator only).
- Grease Points: Cross conveyors (8), pickup heads (8), tailwheels (4), pickup head pivots (8), center axle mount (2), pole pivot pin (3), pickup gauge wheel pivot (4), PTO shaft ends (3), wind deflector (2).
- Decal Location & Identification: Various safety and operational decals are located on the machine. The manual provides a list of decals by part number and description, emphasizing the importance of replacing lost or damaged decals.
- Troubleshooting Guide: Provides common issues, possible causes, and remedies for problems related to the merger not swinging, pickup heads not raising/lowering, or pick/cross conveyor not running.
- Parts List: Detailed illustrations and part numbers for various components, including the main frame, pickup heads (9' and 12'), pole circuit hydraulics, electric head hydraulics (9' and 12'), main frame hydraulics, cylinders (pickup lift, pole swing, head shuttle, load leveler), electric/hydraulic valve, wiring harness, PTO assembly, hitch assembly, valve mounting, cross conveyor control box, optional accelerator, and crop roller.
- Service & Maintenance Records: A dedicated section for recording service dates, descriptions, and notes.
- Warranty: 120-day warranty from delivery to the original purchaser, covering defects in material and workmanship. Excludes normal wear, misuse, improper maintenance, and non-H&S manufactured components. Warranty registration card must be filled out and mailed to H&S Mfg. Co., Inc. for the warranty to be valid.
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