The Riteway Rock Picker 900 is an agricultural implement designed for efficient rock removal from fields. This manual provides comprehensive information for its operation, maintenance, and parts.
Function Description:
The Rock Picker 900 is primarily used to clear fields of rocks, which can otherwise damage other farm machinery and hinder crop growth. It features a variable hydraulic drive system for its reel, allowing for adjustable picking speeds based on rock size. The machine is equipped with a bucket for collecting picked rocks and a rake mechanism for gathering them. A hydraulic swing hitch provides multi-position capabilities for transport and field operation. The electric-over-hydraulic control system allows for precise management of the reel and bucket functions.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Drive: Variable Hydraulic Drive
- Reel: 3 Bat
- Reel Chain: #80
- Weight: 4,784 lbs / 2,170 kg
- Picking Width: 60" / 152 cm
- Minimum Rock Diameter: 2" / 5 cm
- Maximum Rock Diameter: 28" x 55" / 81 cm x 140 cm
- Bucket Capacity: 3.2 cu yd / 2.4 cu meter
- Reel & Bucket Control: Electric over Hydraulic
- Weight Capacity: 8,000 lbs / 4,500 kg
- Dumping Height: 56" / 1.42 m
- Tires: 16.5L x 16.1-6 ply
- Hitch: Multi-Position, Hydraulic Swing
- Hydraulic Requirements: 15 gal/min. @ 1200-1500 PSI (45-57 L/min @ 83-103 bar)
- Maximum Transport Speed: 18 mph (29 km/h)
- Maximum Towing Speed: 25 mph (40 km/h)
The machine utilizes various hydraulic cylinders for its functions:
- Hitch Pole: 3-1/2" X 8" Hydraulic Cylinder, 3/4 ORB (Part # 030-5989) and 3-1/2" X 8" Hydraulic Cylinder, 3/4 ORB, With Stroke Control (Part # 030-5980).
- Main Frame & Bucket: 4" X 30" Hydraulic Cylinder, 3/4 ORB (Part # 030-5986).
- Rake, Bucket, & Hitch Hydraulics: Includes 3-1/2" x 8" Hydraulic Cylinder (3/4" ORB) (Part # 030-5935) and 3-1/2" x 8" Hydraulic Cylinder c/w Depth Control (3/4" ORB) (Part # 030-5952).
- Parker Electric Selector Manifold: 12-VOLT – ½” ORB (1C-3914) (Part # 310-4038) for controlling rake, bucket, and hitch functions.
Usage Features:
- Preparation for Picking Rocks:
- Connect the rock picker to the tractor and ensure the rotary switch is connected to a 12V power source (white wire to positive, black wire to negative).
- Connect hydraulic hoses: large hoses for the Reel Motor, small hoses for the Rake/Bucket and hitch.
- Remove the safety pin and swing the hitch pole into field position, ensuring it is fully extended and pinned. For hydraulic hitches, the cylinder holds it in place. Incorrect positioning can lead to the reel contacting the hitch.
- Adjusting Reel RPM: The reel speed can be adjusted using the Flow Control Valve (Figure A) to match rock sizes:
- 2"-6" rocks: 45 RPM
- 6"-12" rocks: 35 RPM
- 12"-16" rocks: 25 RPM
- 16"-24" rocks: Shut off rotary reel, pick up stone with rake, lift approximately halfway, then turn on rotary reel to push rocks to the back of the bucket.
- Warning: Moving the reel too fast can damage the bats.
- Operating the Rake and Bucket:
- Move the 3-position rotary switch (Figure B) to the "Rake" position to pick stones. Only surface rocks should be picked; digging up rocks from under the ground can damage the unit.
- To dump the unit, the rake must be fully lowered to the ground. Then, switch to the "Bucket" position. Warning: Do not attempt to dump if the rake is in the upright position.
- Hydraulic Hitch Operation: Flip the rotary switch to the "Hitch" position and use tractor hydraulics to adjust the hitch.
- Bucket Dumping Safety: An actuation switch prevents the bucket from dumping if the rake is too high, ensuring the rake is in its lowest position before the bucket rises.
Maintenance Features:
- General Maintenance:
- Repack wheel hubs after the first 500 travel miles, then yearly.
- Visually inspect wheel bolts daily for tightness. Riteway recommends torquing to 110 ft-lbs after the first few hours of operation, and frequently thereafter (manufacturer recommendations 90 to 131 ft-lbs).
- The machine requires 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 HP per foot.
- Every 8 Hours (Daily):
- Grease all pins and knuckles (refer to the detailed diagram on page 13 of the manual).
- Every 100 Hours (Monthly):
- Visually inspect hydraulic hoses and fittings for leaks or damage.
- Inspect the lighting system and electrical harness for damage.
- Annually:
- Inspect wheel bearings/hubs and grease.
- Check wheel bolts and re-torque.
- Check tire pressure and follow manufacturer inflation recommendations.
- Visually inspect the unit for loose, worn, or damaged components.
- Storage:
- Coat any exposed cylinder shafts with thick oil or grease.
- Ensure parking jacks are on firm ground. If jack pads sink, it will be difficult to hook up the unit.
- Lock all applicable safety pins in place.
- Drive Chain Adjustment: After some use, the drive chain may stretch. Loosen the nuts and bolts on the motor mount to adjust the chain, allowing for 1½" of deflection, then re-tighten. The same adjustment applies to each bat spring (Figure C).
Safety Warnings (General & Equipment Specific):
- Read the manual thoroughly before operating or working on the machine.
- Study all safety and warning decals.
- Most accidents are due to neglect or carelessness.
- No riders on the tractor or implement during operation.
- Keep children away from the machine.
- Connect the implement hitch to the tractor before operating the hydraulic system.
- Be aware of hydraulic leaks.
- Throttle down the tractor and use caution when connecting the implement to the hitch. Never stand between the tractor and implement.
- Lower the hitch jack onto firm ground and chock tires when un-hooking. Ensure the unit is on level ground.
- Exercise caution on hillsides or near ditches.
- Ensure the tractor draw-bar is pinned during transport.
- Maximum transport speed is 18 mph (29 km).
- Do not work on the machine when the hydraulic system is under pressure.
- Observe all laws and regulations for public road transport.
- Do not transport on public roads unless all safety and maintenance checks are complete.
- Ensure safety chains are secured during transport.
- When unhooking, the parking jack must be securely lowered on firm ground (with tires blocked) to prevent the hitch from rising abruptly.
- If work requires the implement to be in transport position, use the cylinder lock-up.
- Limit towing to a maximum of 25 mph (40 km/h).
The Riteway Rock Picker 900 is designed for years of trouble-free and safe operation, provided all maintenance and safety instructions are followed.
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