This document is an operator's manual for the WIL-RICH DCIII Disk Cultivator, a farm implement designed for soil cultivation. The manual provides comprehensive instructions for safe and efficient operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the device.
Function Description:
The WIL-RICH DCIII Disk Cultivator is an agricultural implement primarily used for tilling soil. It is designed to prepare seedbeds, control weeds, and incorporate residue into the soil. The cultivator features multiple gangs of disk blades that cut and mix the soil, along with shovels that further work the soil. The unit's design allows for depth control and wing adjustments to adapt to various field conditions and desired tillage depths. It can be operated with a tractor, utilizing its hydraulic system for adjustments.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Power Requirements: Approximately 10 to 12 horsepower per foot of implement width.
- Operating Speed: Best achieved when operating between 6 to 8 miles per hour.
- Disk Blades: Loosen to 1200 foot-pounds, approximately 200 pounds at the end of a six-foot long wrench.
- Hydraulic Cylinders:
- Main frame depth control: Controlled by a pair of 12.56" stroke bypass cylinders. These are located at the rear of the unit, above the main frame lift axles.
- Wing depth adjustment: Controlled by a 10.8" stroke slave cylinder located above the wing axle.
- Bypass cylinders: Will bypass oil when the cylinder is fully extended. This bypass condition will exist when the implement is raised to maximum ground clearance. At this time, oil will pass through a 1/16" dia hole and go on to the next cylinder.
- Integral Restrictor Cylinders: Some cylinders have an integral restricting orifice and must be replaced with an identical cylinder (e.g., 20121 INTEGRAL RESTRICTOR DECAL).
- Tire Inflation: Specific inflation pressures are provided for different grades of wheels:
- Grade 2: 3/8" bolt at 1/2" torque (9/16" hex head) at 15/16" torque (1-1/8" hex head) at 1-5/16" torque (1-1/2" hex head).
- Grade 5: 3/8" bolt at 1/2" torque (9/16" hex head) at 15/16" torque (1-1/8" hex head) at 1-5/16" torque (1-1/2" hex head).
- Grade 8: 3/8" bolt at 1/2" torque (9/16" hex head) at 15/16" torque (1-1/8" hex head) at 1-5/16" torque (1-1/2" hex head).
- Shank Angle: Wil-Rich shanks have a 52° shank angle and a 47° sweep angle is recommended.
- SMV Emblem: 3/16NCx5/8 bolt. Emblem is to be 2 to 6 feet above the ground measured from the bottom edge of the emblem.
- Safety Chains: Primary attaching point and intermediate support. The intermediate support must not be mounted more than 6" from the primary attaching point.
Usage Features:
- Depth Control: The cultivator features a depth control circuit with main frame and wing depth adjustments. The main frame depth is controlled by screw collars on the main frame lift cylinders, allowing for precise adjustment of working depth. Wing depth is adjusted using screw collars on the wing lift cylinders.
- Leveling: The operational leveling of the field cultivator must be done in a level area of the field. Front to rear and side to side leveling is achieved by adjusting the hitch adjust tube and the main frame lift hydraulics.
- Wing Rest: The manual provides specific instructions for 4', 7', and 10' wing rests, emphasizing the importance of folding and unfolding wings safely. Wings must be completely lowered before performing service or adjustments.
- Metering Valves: The metering valve may be set to provide varying amounts of hydraulic oil flow to the cylinders.
- Front Ballast: Front end stability is crucial. Additional front ballast may be required for satisfactory field operation due to sudden or extreme forces on the Disk Cultivator.
- Transporting: The implement is transported on public roads, requiring the use of SMV emblems and proper lighting. Hydraulic cylinder channel locks must be installed for transport.
- Safety Decals: Various safety decals are strategically placed on the machine, including DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION labels, providing critical information on potential hazards like crushing, electrocution, high-pressure fluid, and general operational risks. These decals must be maintained and replaced if damaged or illegible.
- Single Point Depth Control: This feature simplifies depth adjustment. The reliability of depth control is dependent on the containment of oil in the cylinders and circuit; this valve will not ensure proper function without purging of the system.
- Spring Adjust Bolt: Spring adjust bolt should be tightened just enough to crack the paint between spring coils.
Maintenance Features:
- General Maintenance: Periodic checks must be made to assure that all nuts and bolts remain securely tightened. Loose hardware is easily bent or lost and can cause excessive wear on parts. Replace any bent or broken bolts as soon as they are discovered.
- Lubrication: Lubricate various components that require lubrication. The manual advises checking all hydraulic components and connections for leaks.
- Wheel Bearings: Check wheel bearings and tighten if necessary. Check and tighten wheel bolts.
- Axle Caps: All axle caps must be greased once a week with a good quality grease.
- Hub and Spindle Assemblies: Each hub and spindle assembly comes with a grease fitting installed in the hub. These must be greased once a week during steady usage.
- Gang Bearings: The gang bearings have been lubricated at the factory, but the operator should lubricate all bearings until a fine grease appears from the seals before operating the machine for the first time.
- Walking Tandem Assemblies: Periodically check each walking tandem assembly for looseness and tighten spindle nut if the bearings show any evidence of side play. Clean and repack walking tandem assemblies once each season.
- Hydraulics: Inspect all hydraulic hoses and fittings for cracks and abrasion at least once a year. Tighten or replace as needed.
- Disk Blade Maintenance: Do not run machine with loose disk blades. Keep gang bolts tight! Tighten to 1200 foot pounds. Rust and corrosion are the chief enemies of the disk. Spending a little time and effort protecting the disk blades will reward you with longer service, easier operation, and higher resale value. Dirt and trash will hold moisture, causing rust. Apply a good rust preventative to all land polished surfaces.
- Storage: At the end of a season, clean the implement thoroughly to remove any trash, soil, or dirty grease which could hold moisture and cause premature rusting. Repaint any chipped, bare, or rusted areas to prevent any further deterioration. Inspect the machine for any worn or broken parts and adjust or replace as required. Coat the shovels with grease and place boards under the points to prevent the shovels from settling into the ground.
- Troubleshooting: A dedicated section provides solutions for common problems such as the machine not pulling straight, settling of the entire implement, wings lowering too rapidly, poor or uneven penetration, and hydraulic malfunctions.
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