GRAMEGNA SB1-65 User manual

1

Dear Customer,

Thank you for choosing a 'GRAMEGNA' Hole

Digger.

We are sure that it will give you great satisfaction.

Our hole digger is produced using the latest

techniques and only the finest materials, this is

coupled with the highest technical specifications

which make our machine unique within the

agricultural industry.

We will be pleased to place our technical expertise

at your disposal.

GRAMEGNA S.r.l.

CONTENTS page

MACHINE DESCRIPTION ........................................... 2

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .................................. 4

SAFETY RULES .......................................................... 4

IMPORTANT WARNINGS ........................................... 5

HITCHING TO THE TRACTOR ................................... 6

OPERATING THE DIGGER ......................................... 7

MAINTENANCE ............................................................ 9

GUARANTEE ............................................................. 10

2

Fig. 1

1) Lower link hitch points

2) Top link hitch point

3) Power take-off

4) Stabilizers

5) Spades

6) Safety guard

7) Lifting eye

1

2

4

3

4

6

7

5

4

1

3

Fig. 2

1) Frame

2) Transmission housing

3) Hydraulic cylinder - sideshift

4) Hydraulic cylinder - angle

5) Prop

6) Prop lock/release lever

1

4

5

3

2

6

4

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL

kW

HP

lb

kg

in

m

m in

in m

in

m

in

m

rpm

SB1-40 S

22-51

30-70

726

330

41

1,05

0,48 19

22 0,57

34 0,87

16

0,40

20-23

0,5-0,6

140

540

SB1-40

22-51

30-70

749

340

49

1,25

0,65 26

23 0,60

42 1,08

16

0,40

20-23

0,5-0,6

140

540

SB1-65

22-51

30-70

794

360

51

1,29

0,65 26

25 0,64

44 1,12

25

0,63

20-23

0,5-0,6

140

540

Subject to changes

SAFETY RULES

During the normal operation the hole digger does not require

any manual control either by the operator or anyone else,

therefore it is important that the operator takes care that

nobody gets too near to the machine. Besides the operator

must keep to the following directions:

 ALWAYS make sure all safety guards are correctly

mounted before starting working.

 DO NOT use the digging machine for other purpose that is

not specified in this manual.

 NEVER leave the driver's seat during machine working.

 Take into account that by adding the hole digger the weight

distribution on the tractor is different and therefore the

tractor stability is modified.

 Pay attention during turns and movements taking into

account that the global dimensions of the tractor are

increased by the presence of the hole digger.

 Should it be necessary to travel on public roads then the

maximum dimensions of the machine must be shown as

prescribed by law.

 Should damage occur to the safety guards or to any other

part of the digging machine, stop the machine operation

IMMEDIATELY and ask to a qualified technical service for

the eventual repair or replacement.

 We recommend to USE ONLY ORIGINAL SPARE PARTS.

5

DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY LABELS

Your safety depends upon this informa-

tion!

Read this manual and the manual for the PTO

drive shaft before using the machine.

Contact with rotating driveline can

cause serious injury!

Do not open or remove safety

shields during operation.

Contact with moving parts can cause

serious injury!

Do not open or remove safety shields during

operation.

Contact with tools during operation can

cause serious injury to lower limbs!

Stay a safe distance from the machine.

IMPORTANT WARNINGS

1) Due to the nature of the work it is intended for, the

SB1 hole digger cannot be built to the kind of size and

weight specifications that would be compatible

theoretically with big horsepower tractors. It must be

operated with care particularly if used with tractors of

rated power higher than 35 HP (26 kW).

Be especially careful:

 to keep the engine at a speed no higher than

1.300 rpm.

 to maintain the original clutch setting.

 to avoid digging frozen or very hard soil.

 to stop digging if the clutch keeps slipping or in

any event if excessive force is needed to

penetrate the soil.

2) Even when hitched to a three-point linkage raised to

its full lifting height, the implement may still clear the

ground by a short distance only.

It is therefore important to be careful when carrying

the implement in the transport position (e.g. over very

uneven surfaces or changing gradients, lifting and

lowering from truck beds etc.) to ensure the lower

parts of the digger do not come into contact

accidentally with the ground.

In these cases, it is advisable to use a fairly short top

link such as will allow the implement to be lifted higher

when necessary.

6

HITCHING TO THE TRACTOR

NOTE: Before hitching the machine to the tractor, make

certain that the tractor lift links are lowered to approximately 4

ins (10 cm) from the ground. If this is not possible, connect the

machine by using the upper hitch points (page 2 – ref.1).

Set the tractor PTO speed at 540 r.p.m.

PTO DRIVE SHAFT

The PTO drive shaft must be compatible in length with the

tractor onto which the machine is mounted.

The clutch on the cardan drive shaft is set to protect the

mechanical parts of the implement in the event of excessive

power being applied, and must NOT be tampered with.

For everything else regarding the PTO drive shaft we

recommend to consult the relative operator's manual.

CONNECTING THE THREE POINT LINKAGE

AND THE DRIVE SHAFT

1. Place the implement on level ground and back up the

tractor until the ends of the lift links are about 4-6 ins (10-

15 cm) from the hitch points on the digger (1 - fig. 1).

2. Connect the drive shaft to the tractor P.t.o. and secure the

guard with the chains.

3. Connect the links to the hitch points and fit the linch pins.

CONNECTION TO THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE

PORTS

The SB1 requires hydraulic connections to two pairs of double

acting pressure ports (½”).

These connections allow the operator to control two

movements:

 Spade carriage sideshift (1)

 Spade penetration angle (2)

ADJUSTING THE WORKING POSITION

1. Adjust the length of the tractor lift links so that the frame of

the implement (1 - fig. 2) is parallel with the transverse axis

of the tractor.

2. Adjust the lift link check chains so that the frame (1 - fig. 2)

is positioned centrally in relation to the tractor.

3. Adjust the length of the top link until the machine is parallel

with the ground or tilted slightly toward the tractor.

7

OPERATING THE DIGGER

DIGGING A HOLE

Position the tractor with the implement alongside the digging

area, and lower the lift links completely.

Fig. 1

With the spade carriage in the retracted position, set the

spades at the maximum angle of inclination (fully out, see

"starting position"). Set the spades in rotation to begin

excavating the hole, and operate the sideshift to extend the

carriage (the spades will push the soil away from the starting

position).

Fig. 2

Retract the spade carriage without stopping the rotary motion.

Reduce the inclination (A) of the spades (as far as the

consistency of the soil will allow), and as the next stroke

begins, operate the sideshift again to extend the carriage, then

return the spades to the maximum angle (B).

Fig. 3

Retract the spade mechanism as before (again without

stopping the rotary motion). Reduce the inclination (A) of the

spades partly or totally for the next stroke (as far as the

consistency of the soil will allow).

Operate the sideshift again to extend the carriage, and at the

end of the stroke, return the spades to the maximum angle

(B).

NOTE: If the intention is not to empty the hole completely but

to leave a certain amount of soil in place, do not return the

spades to the maximum angle (B), instead, stop the rotary

motion and raise the implement with the lift links before

retracting the carriage.

fig.1

fig.2

fig.3

STARTING

POSITION

8

DIGGING HOLES FOR VINES ON HILLSIDES

WITH ROWS RUNNING ACROSS THE GRADIENT

The procedure for digging the hole is as described on page 7.

In addition, to minimize the movement of loose soil down the

gradient:

 Position the tractor and implement on the downhill side of

the row where the hole is to be dug.

 Return the spades to the maximum angle of inclination B

(figures 2 and 3, page 7) each time the carriage is

extended.

 Raise the implement with the hydraulic lift before

retracting.

REMOVING AN OLD VINE

Medium or soft soil, vines not particularly difficult to

remove.

Following the instructions given on page 5 (fig. 2 onwards).

Hard soil, vines difficult to remove:

Proceed as follows:

1. Dig the hole as close as possible to the vine being

removed.

2. Retract the spade carriage and raise the implement with

the hydraulic lift.

3. Reposition the implement so that one of the spades is in

line with the stock.

4. Reduce the angle of inclination to as near vertical as

possible (see “A” - fig. 3, page 7).

5. Lower the implement again to penetrate, then operate the

sideshift to extend the carriage, returning the spades if

necessary to the maximum angle B (fig.2-3, page 7)

NOTE: power transmitted to the digger through the P.t.o. can

register peak values under these conditions. Remember not to

throttle the engine over 1300 rpm and to stop digging if

excessive force is required to penetrate the soil.

Important: NEVER move the tractor when the spades are in

the soil.

TROUBLESHOOTING

The spades stop rotating when even a minimum of force

is applied:

This problem is due to wear on the clutch discs, caused

normally by continued use of the implement even when

excessive power is applied.

The remedy is to replace the two discs and restore the correct

adjustment. If no torque measuring instruments are available,

proceed as follows:

Tighten the bolts in sequence (uniformly) until the springs

begin to compress. Test the adjustment by operating the

implement briefly, then tightening the bolts one quarter turn.

Continue testing and tightening alternately in this way until the

clutch is just able to withstand the force applied to the

implement in normal operation.

SPADES

Two types are available:

- wide spade (fitted as standard): suitable for use on

medium and soft soils, and wherever old vines need

digging up.

9

- tapered spade (available on request): more suitable for

use on hard, dry or generally stubborn soils.

WIDE

TAPERED

MAINTENANCE

The maintenance and the mounting of the machine onto

the tractor are the main occasions of accidents. Before

performing any maintenance work or repair the operator must

keep to the following basic safety rules:

 Disengage the power drive, stop the tractor engine and

apply the brake.

 Avoid introducing any part of the body under the machine.

 If the machine is raised on the tractor's three point lift for

the purpose of spade changing, skid alteration or any other

reason, then suitable blocking or support MUST be used.

NOTE: The maintenance of the hole digger does not require

the use of special tools.

We recommend to USE ONLY ORIGINAL SPARE PARTS

After the first 8 working hours:

 Check and tighten the spade bolts (fig.1 n.7). If the

machine is working in hard, dry or stony ground check

every day.

Periodically

 Check the condition of the hydraulic hoses (for cracks, cuts

etc.)

LUBRICATION

Every 25 working hours:

 Grease the sliding parts of the cardan drive shaft. (For

everything else regarding the PTO drive shaft we

recommend to consult the relative operator's manual).

 Grease the P.T.O. shaft bearing at point A (fig. 1)

 Grease the joints of the spade angle control linkage at

points B (fig. 1) and C (fig. 2).

fig. 1 fig. 2

A

C

B

10

 Open the safety guard by loosening the bolt D (fig. 3), then

grease the joints of the rod and crank linkages at points E

and F (fig. 4). Replace the grease nipples if damaged.

 Remove the plugs from the lower joints at points G and H

(fig. 4) and fill with an oil having ISO viscosity VG 680 (e.g.

MOBIL GEAR 636 – ESSO SPARTAN 680)

fig. 3 fig. 4

LONG PERIODS OF INACTIVITY

If the machine has to remain idle for a long period, it must be

carefully cleaned and protected from sun, rain, etc.

Lubricate and check functioning of all parts before using the

machine again.

GUARANTEE

The SB1 hole digger is guaranteed for a period of 2 years

from the date of purchase (purchase must be verifiable from a

document issued by the dealer, showing the name of the

dealer and the date on which the sale was made).

The warranty covers repair or replacement at no cost of

machine parts found to be unserviceable due to manufacturing

defects.

The warranty does not cover parts found to be defective as a

result of:

 Failure to follow the use and maintenance instructions.

 Normal wear associated with use of the machine.

 Obstructions (stones, roots, stocks) becoming jammed in

the moving parts of the machine.

 Modifications or repairs carried out by unauthorized

persons.

The warranty shall be considered invalidated in all instances

of improper use.

Defective parts must be returned carriage paid to the

Gramegna headquarters at Broni (PV).

The Manufacturer is not liable for any direct or indirect injury to

individuals or damage to property caused by failure to observe

all the instructions in this handbook.

This warranty does not affect consumer rights as embodied in

national legislation regarding the sale of consumer goods.

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