APV Vario Harrow VS 600 M1 User manual

ORIGINAL OPERATING MANUAL
Version: 1.0 EN / Item no.: 00601-3-874
Vario Harrow Operating Manual
VS 600 M1, VS 750 M1, VS 900 M1, VS 1200 M1
Please read carefully before initial operation!

Page 2 ba_vs_v1.0_en.docx
Contents
CE conformity............................................................................................................................... 3
1 Warranty............................................................................................................................... 4
2 Service ................................................................................................................................. 4
3 Location of the rating plate................................................................................................. 5
4 Operating manual for the Vario harrow ............................................................................. 6
4.1 Mounting on the tractor .............................................................................................. 6
4.2 Safe parking............................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Folding the Vario harrow............................................................................................ 6
4.4 Transport supports..................................................................................................... 7
5 Working position and setting the working depth.............................................................. 8
5.1 Hydraulic tine adjustment........................................................................................... 9
5.2 Additional adjustment options for ground adaptation.................................................. 9
6 Maintenance and care....................................................................................................... 10
7 Technical data ................................................................................................................... 11
7.1 Harrow array widths ................................................................................................. 12
7.2 Combination options for the Vario harrow with pneumatic seeders .......................... 13
8 Hydraulicdiagram .............................................................................................................. 14
9 Changing the tines ............................................................................................................ 17
10 Road transport of the VS 600 M1 | VS 750 M1 | VS 900 M1 | VS 1200 M1 ...................... 17
10.1 Transport on public roads (in general)...................................................................... 17
10.2 Calculation of the weight ratios ................................................................................ 18
10.3 Table for the weight ratios........................................................................................ 19
11 Lighting circuit diagram.................................................................................................... 20
12 Decommissioning, storage and disposal ........................................................................ 20
12.1 Decommissioning the implement ............................................................................. 20
12.2 Storage of the implement......................................................................................... 20
12.3 Disposal................................................................................................................... 20
13 Cropping tips for using the Vario harrow ........................................................................ 21
14 Accessories ....................................................................................................................... 22
15 Safety information............................................................................................................. 27
15.1 Intended use............................................................................................................ 27
15.2 General safety-related instructions and accident prevention regulations .................. 27
15.3 Mounted implements................................................................................................ 29
15.4 Hydraulic system...................................................................................................... 29
15.5 Maintenance ............................................................................................................ 29
15.6 Tyres........................................................................................................................ 30
16 Safety signs ....................................................................................................................... 30
17 My idea............................................................................................................................... 32
18 Index................................................................................................................................... 33

ba_vs_v1.0_en.docx Page 3
CE conformity
according to the EC Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
We hereby declare that the implement described in the following meets the basic safety requirements in
Annexe I of the EC Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
This declaration loses its validity in cases of non-intended use and if changes are made to the implement
that were not approved by the manufacturer.
Manufacturer: APV-Technische Produkte GmbH,
Dallein 15, A-3753 Hötzelsdorf
Product designation: Vario harrow VS 600 M1
Number: 07018-1-000
Serial number: All serial numbers of the Vario harrow VS 600 M1
Product designation: Vario harrow VS 750 M1
Number: 07019-1-000
Serial number: All serial numbers of the Vario harrow VS 750 M1
Product designation: Vario harrow VS 900 M1
Number: 07020-1-000
Serial number: All serial numbers of the Vario harrow VS 900 M1
Product designation: Vario harrow VS 1200 M1
Number: 07014-1-000
Serial number: All serial numbers of the Vario harrow VS 1200 M1
Legal authorised person
for the technical documents: APV-Technische Produkte GmbH,
Dallein 15, A-3753 Hötzelsdorf
Conformity procedure: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC Annex I
Conformity with the following directives:
2006/42/EC Machinery Directive
2004/108/EC EMC Directive
Applicable standards:
EN 349 Safety of machinery – Minimum gaps to avoid crushing of parts of the human body
EN 60204-1 Safety of machinery – Electrical equipment
ISO 12100 Safety of machinery; General principles for design; Risk assessment and risk reduction
ISO 13857 Safety of machinery – Safety distances
ISO 14982 Agricultural and forestry machinery ―Electromagnetic compatibility ―Test methods
and acceptance criteria
Dallein, 03/2018
City, Date
Ing. Jürgen Schöls
Management

Page 4 ba_vs_v1.0_en.docx
1 Warranty
Please check the implement for any transport damage immediately upon receipt. Later claims regarding
transport damage can no longer be considered.
We provide a six-month factory warranty as of the date of delivery (your invoice or the delivery slip serve
as a warranty certificate).
This warranty is applicable for cases of material or construction faults and does not include parts that are
damaged by normal or excessive wear.
The warranty expires
•if damage is caused by external forces.
•in cases of operating errors.
•if the kW/HP limits are significantly exceeded.
•if the implement is modified, expanded or equipped with third-party spare parts without our
permission.
2 Service
Please contact our service address in the following cases:
•If you still have questions regarding the handling of the Vario harrow despite the information
provided in this operating manual
•For spare parts orders
•To order maintenance and repair work
Service address:
APV - Technische Produkte GmbH
HEADQUARTERS
Dallein 15
AT-3753 Hötzelsdorf
AUSTRIA
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.apv.at
.

ba_vs_v1.0_en.docx Page 5
Figure 1: Location of the rating plate
Figure 2: Position of the production number
3 Location of the rating plate
The rating plate can be found on the main
frame, near the connection point to the top link
arm (see Figure 1).
The following image (Figure 2) shows the layout of the rating plate:
The data on the rating plate have the following
meaning:
No. Meaning
1 Designation
2 Model
3 Production number
4 Weight
5 Year of manufacture
PLEASE NOTE!
In cases of inquiries or warranty claims, please be sure to always tell us the production
number of your implement.

Page 6 ba_vs_v1.0_en.docx
Figure 3
4 Operating manual for the Vario harrow
4.1 Mounting on the tractor
Under difficult operating conditions, additional wheel weights can be useful. Please also refer to the
operating manual from the tractor manufacturer.
The tractor should be equipped with sufficient ballast weight at the front to ensure the steering and
braking capacity. At least 20% of the empty vehicle weight is required on the front axle.
The lifting links must be adjusted to the same height on the left and on the right. The implement must be
mounted on the 3-point linkage of the tractor. In doing so, the lower top link hole must be used.
Mount the top link so that it slants down towards the tractor during operation. (Observe the specifications
from the tractor manufacturer.)
4.2 Safe parking
1. The parking surface must be suitable for parking
the implement. The ground must be firm and
level, so that the stands do not sink in and the
harrow does not roll away.
2. To ensure safe parking of the implement, lower
the stands at the rear of the harrow.
3. Make sure that the tines do not touch the ground
in the process to prevent damage to the tines.
4. The stands must be secured with a spring cotter
on the pin to prevent accidental loosening.
5. The securing chains must be hooked onto the
side frame.
6. Then the pressure in the hydraulic hoses to the
tractor must be relieved.
4.3 Folding the Vario harrow
1. Fold the implement only when it is raised from the ground.
2. Ensure that no one is standing in the danger area!
3. Couple the hydraulic line plugs. (ensure that they are always
kept clean!)
4. Afterwards, fill the cylinder with oil. The cylinders are filled as
soon as the load on the securing chains is relieved.
5. Unhook the securing chains.
6. When folding into transport position, the implement must also
be lifted from the ground and the harrow tines must be folded
up.
7. The feeler wheels on the side frame must be completely
raised before the harrow can be folded.
8. Hook on the securing chains again after the harrow has been
folded.
9. The tines may be pre-tensioned only when the Vario harrow is
unfolded.
During the folding procedure, first the outer side frame is folded by
180° onto the inner frame, which is then folded up by 90°.
The hydraulic connections for folding and tine pre-tensioning are marked with cable ties. If two cable ties
are attached to the hose, it means that it is the flow line (+). In contrast, if only one cable tie is attached
to the hose, it is the return line (-).
Figure 4

ba_vs_v1.0_en.docx Page 7
PLEASE NOTE!
When uncoupling the hydraulic hoses for the tine pre-tensioning under pressure, first
close the stop tap, and only then unplug the hydraulic hoses. By doing so, the tines
remain in the desired position, even when the harrow is parked.
4.4 Transport supports
Before initial operation of the Vario harrow, all of the transport supports must be removed:
•Loosen the bolts and pull off the supports.
TIP!
If the harrow is not used for an extended period of time, the transport supports can be
installed on the feeler wheels to relieve the tyres during longer downtimes.
If they are not used, the transport supports must be disposed of properly.
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7

Page 8 ba_vs_v1.0_en.docx
Figure
9
Figure 8
5 Working position and setting the working depth
The harrow intensity is set with the
pre-tensioning of the spring pack. The
pre-setting is made hydraulically and
comfortably from the tractor seat. On
the scale (see Figure 8), the driver
can read the level that is currently
set. Here, the springs are not pre-
tensioned at positions -3 to 0. Pre-
tensioning begins at 0, and the full
pre-tension is reached at position 6.
At position -3, the tines are folded up,
which means that the tines are in
transport position.
The working speed has a significant
effect on the intensity of harrowing.
The normal speed range is between 4
and 12 km/h, depending on the crop
sensitivity.
The feeler wheels can be moved on the frame to the desired track
width. The harrowing height can be adjusted with the pattern of holes
in the feeler wheels. The higher the feeler wheels are moved up in the
frame, the smaller the distance between the frame and the ground and
the more slanted the position of the tine ends relative to the ground.
Scales are attached to the feeler wheels. When all of the feeler wheels
are set to the same number, all of the feeler wheels are at the same height.
PLEASE NOTE!
If the feeler wheels are moved down again, it does not result in more pressure on the
tines, but rather only the working depth is increased.
PLEASE NOTE!
Ideally, there should be a right angle
(90°) between the wearing end of the
tines and the soil (see Figure 10 -
centre). Because of the pre-tensioning,
the right angle is only reached while
driving.
All of the tine rows should penetrate the soil to the
same depth (working depth), i.e. the frame must run
parallel to the ground.
To achieve this, the extension of the top link must also be adjusted. The parallelism of the frame to the
ground can be read on the spirit level on the centre frame.
CAUTION!
When the harrow is lowered, do not allow it to push or roll back with the tractor;
otherwise, the tines and bearing points can be damaged.
Figure 10: A 90°-angle is ideal

ba_vs_v1.0_en.docx Page 9
CAUTION!
Driving in curves is not permitted. If there is no other option, these curves must be
driven in a very large radius.
5.1 Hydraulic tine adjustment
The tines are adjusted with multiple hydraulic cylinders connected in parallel. This allows the tine
position to be changed while driving.
All of the hydraulic cylinders (Figure 11) are connected by an oil circuit. Adjustments are made using a
double-acting control unit and the flow divider on the centre frame (Figure 12).
5.2 Additional adjustment options for ground adaptation
The slot in the cylinder working point further improves the
ground adaptation of the Vario harrow. If the laterally bolted,
folding locking plates installed, the upward ground
adaptation is fully available, but the downward ground
adaptation is limited. This has the advantage that the
harrow sags less, which is helpful when turning. If the plates
are removed, the ground adaptation is available in both
directions.
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13: Folding locking plate

Page 10 ba_vs_v1.0_en.docx
6 Maintenance and care
PLEASE NOTE!
When the implement is lifted off of the ground, the two side wings of the frame should be
pointing slightly down. If this is not the case or if the wings are pointing down too much,
the stop bolts on the joint must be adjusted.
To maintain the implement in good condition even after a long service life, the following instructions must
be observed:
•In the supplement "For your safety…" you will find some basic safety regulations for maintenance
work.
•Original parts and accessories are designed especially for the machines or implements.
•Please note that parts and accessories not supplied by us have also not been tested and approved
by us.
•The installation or use of such products can therefore possibly negatively change or impede the
constructional properties of your implement. The manufacturer rules out any liability for damages
resulting from the use of non-original parts and accessories.
•The manufacturer is not liable for any unauthorised modifications and the use of components and
mounted parts on the implement.
•All bolted connections should be re-tightened at the latest after 3 operating hours and again after
20 hours, and then checked regularly. Loose bolts can cause significant consequential damage,
which is not covered by the warranty.
•The grease points on the joints and bearings must be lubricated regularly (approx. every 10
operating hours with universal grease).
•After the first 10 operating hours and subsequently every 50 operating hours, the hydraulic units
and tube lines must be checked for leaks and the bolted connections must be tightened if
necessary.
•Check the hydraulic hoses for wear before every operation.
•Caution! Liquids escaping under high pressure can penetrate the skin. For this reason, a physician
must be consulted immediately in case of accident!
•After cleaning, lubricate all of the grease points and distribute the grease evenly in the bearing
points (e.g. perform a short test run).
•Do not use a high pressure cleaner to clean bearing and hydraulic parts.
•The paint can be damaged by cleaning with excessive pressure.
•During the winter, the implement should be protected against rust with an environmentally-friendly
product.
•Park the implement protected from weather conditions.
•Hydraulically as well as mechanically folded implement must only be parked in a folded state.
•Put down the implement in a way that the tines are not needlessly strained.
•Occasionally check the tyre inflation pressure (4 bar).