Bale Band-It GFC 100 User manual

Operator’s Manual
GFC
God, Family, & Country
34273 210th Ave. , Pittsfield, IL 62363
[phone]
[email protected]
Web site: http://www.balebandit.com
Version 1.08

Operator’s Manual
GFC
God, Family, & Country
34273 210th Ave. , Pittsfield, IL 62363
[phone]
[email protected]
Web site: http://www.balebandit.com
Version 1.08

Table Of Contents
Specifications............................................................ 1
Warranty and Service ................................................ 2
Serial Number Location............................................. 3
Safety......................................................................... 4
Hooking Up ................................................................ 9
Bale Band-It Threading Instructions ....................... 11
Concepts of Operation............................................. 16
Sequence of Events................................................................................................. 16
Manual Overrides..................................................... 17
Manual Bundle Removal.......................................................................................... 17
Strapping Count ...................................................................................................... 17
Reset Strapping Button........................................................................................... 17
Reset Bundle Button ............................................................................................... 18
Lubrication and Maintenance.................................. 19
Break in Period ........................................................................................................ 19
Daily Maintenance – 8 hours ................................................................................... 21
Weekly Maintenance – 40 hours .............................................................................. 22
Monthly Maintenance – 250 hours .......................................................................... 24
Yearly Maintenance ................................................................................................ 24
Hydraulic Manifold Layout....................................... 26
Front Manifold ......................................................................................................... 26
Inside Banding Box Manifold................................................................................... 27
Outside Banding Box Manifold ................................................................................ 28
Electrical Layout ..................................................... 29
Front Relay Box (located behind banding drums)................................................... 29
Band Relay Box (located in Banding Box) .............................................................. 30
Display Monitor Troubleshooting Solutions ............ 33
Troubleshooting....................................................... 98

Operator’s Manual 1
Specifications
Model 100
Dimensions
Height 9 ft (2.75 m)
Width 8.5 ft (2.59 m)
Length 20 ft (6.09 m)
Weight 7800 lbs (3541 kg)
Bale Length 37 in – 42 in (94 cm – 107 cm)
Tires
Front tires 20.5 x 8.0 x 10-E Hwy Trl TL
Back tires 12.5L x 15 - 8 Ply Tire
Hydraulic Requirements
PSI 2500 psi (172.3 bar)
GPM 25 gpm ( 94.6 l/m)
System closed center
Filter Element Replacement high pressure element, 6 micron
Tractor Horse Power 90 hp
Steel Strapping
Size .02 in x .5 in (0.5 mm x 12.5 mm)
Strength 1170 lb (5205 N) break strength, regular duty (not high tensile)
Roll weight 90 lb – 100 lb (41kg – 45 kg) per roll, 29.4 ft/lb
Roll dimensions 16 in ID x 20 in OD x 3 in wide (40 cm ID x 51 cm OD x 7.62 cm)
Baler Twine Strength It is recommended to use at least 170 lb (756.2 N) knot strength
twine.

Operator’s Manual 2
Warranty and Service
Parts are warranted for one year or 40,000 bales, which ever comes first.
Buyer of unit provides/performs service
Phone support during GFC (or Bale Band-It Sales Rep.) office hours
Towing the Bale Band-It beyond its designed use is the sole responsibility of the buyer.
See warranty agreement

Operator’s Manual 3
Serial Number Location

Operator’s Manual 4
Safety
Bale Band-It Operator Safety
General Precautions
Without proper safety precautions, the Bale Band-It has the capability of causing great injury
or death to those operating or those near the machine.
When parking the Bale Band-It on a slope, ensure machine is facing uphill and chock the rear
wheels before unhitching from tractor / baler.
Live Power Precautions
Proper disengaging of hydraulic power supply requires turning off tractor remote and turning
off engine of tractor.
The Bale Band-It is fully computer operated. If hydraulic pressure is supplied to the machine
it can and will move at anytime. Disengage hydraulic supply to the machine before
approaching.
Operator must properly disengage hydraulic supply before troubleshooting, working on, or
approaching the machine.
The Emergency Shut Off located on the Bale Band-It is an electrical switch that disengages a
hydraulic valve. Either the electrical switch or the hydraulic valve has the potential to fail.
Therefore, do not rely on this to shut off the hydraulic oil supply. Disengage hydraulic
supply to the machine before approaching.
When using the reset buttons ensure no-one is near moving parts.
Safety Maintenance Precautions
If at any time the Safety Light/Horn located on the machine does not work properly, it must
be replaced immediately.
Do not operate the machine without all shields in place and all doors properly closed.
Mount / attach all hydraulic hoses and cables so that there is sufficient flexibility to turn
corners without sharp points, edges or pinch points affecting the hoses and cables.
When undertaking daily routine maintenance ensure electric and hydraulic power is off.
Keep hydraulic systems clean.
Repair all oil leaks immediately.
Prevent oil contamination.
It is recommended that hay fever sufferers do not clean or maintain the Bale Band-It.
The loading of strapping reels should be a 2 man operation.
oEach reel weighs 90lb – 100lb (41 – 45 kg)
Deviations from Design of Use
The Bale Band-It is designed to be pulled directly behind your small square baler.
If machine is to be used in a manner other than that for which it is designed, then it is up to
the owner / operator of the machine to ensure that further risk assessments are undertaken
and suitable control measures implemented.
In the case of using the Bale Band-It as a stationary unit: this may involve the provision of
an exclusion zone to prevent personal physical access to parts of the machine that would
normally operate safely when towed.

Operator’s Manual 5
Safety Decals

Operator’s Manual 6
Safety Decals

Operator’s Manual 7
Safety Decals

Operator’s Manual 8

Operator’s Manual 9
Hooking Up
The Bale Band-It is connected to the baler hitch. All baler chute extensions must be taken off
the baler. The center of the pin hole in the baler hitch needs to be adjusted 8-10 inches
(20 cm – 25 cm) from the main chamber of the baler.
GFC provides all electrical cables and connectors needed for operation.
The 10’ (3 m) electrical cable (10 gauge, 3 conductor) with terminal ends is to be attached to
a 12-volt DC power supply (battery of tractor). This cable consists of 3 separate insulated
wires. The black and white wires are to be attached to the +12-volt DC and the green wire is
to be attached to the –12-volt DC.
GFC does not provide the two hydraulic hoses that are to be attached onto the baler. These
hydraulic hoses go from the tractor to the Bale Band-It and must be 1 inch (25.4 mm) ID
hoses. Anything less than 1 inch (25.4 mm) ID will not allow proper hydraulic flow to the
machine and will slow performance. It is recommended that 1 inch (25.4 mm) male pipe
thread ends be crimped on one end of each of the two hoses mounted on the baler. This will
allow for the provided couplers to be attached to the hoses.
GFC provides one set of 1 inch (25.4 mm) pipe thread male/female couplers. These couplers
are to be used to connect to the existing hydraulic couplers located on the front chute of the
machine to the hoses mounted on the baler.
An additional set of 1 inch (25.4 mm) pipe thread male/female couplers can be purchased
from GFC to provide an easy connection from baler hose return to tractor reservoir.

Operator’s Manual 10
When attaching hydraulic hoses to tractor, it is very important that the pressure line is
attached to the tractor remote and the tank line is attached directly to the reservoir of the
tractor. The Bale Band-It filters the pressure line right before it enters the first hydraulic
valve manifold. This filter is located between the white Banding Drums. Be certain that the
line coming from this filter (the pressure line) is connected to the tractor remote. Reversing
the pressure line and the return line can cause damage to the machine. The return line DOES
NOT connect to the tractor remote. The return line must connect directly to the reservoir of
the tractor with NO BACK PRESSURE! Back pressure will not allow the Bale Band-It to
work properly. Back pressure is the most common mistake made in hooking up the Bale
Band-It. The return line CANNOT be connected directly to the remote or ran through a
return kit. It must be connected directly to the tank of the tractor or through the fill cap
WITHOUT restriction.
Mount hoses on baler so that while turning corners the hoses are not crimped, cut or
stretched between the tractor and baler and between the baler and Bale Band-It. Also mount
hoses away from any sharp points or edges to prevent cutting or damaging hoses.
Mount the Bale Band-It Monitor in the tractor. When mounting the monitor in the tractor, the
suction cups or stationary bracket can be used. If using suction cups to mount monitor, be
sure to wet both suction cups for secure mounting to glass or similar surface. When
connecting the 12 vdc power to the monitor, the cigarette lighter power adapter or the leaded
cord assembly can be used. If the leaded cord assembly is used, be sure the ‘dashed’ lead is
connected to the positive (+) pole of the 12 vdc supply. If polarity is reversed damage to the
monitor may occur.
Thread strapping into Bale Band-It
oSee “Threading Process”

Operator’s Manual 11
Bale Band-It Threading Instructions
1. When placing the rolls of strapping on the white banding drums, the end of the strap must
come off of the top of the roll.
2. Thread the strap between the ½” (12.5 mm) rod and the spring loaded strap guide attached to
the banding drum brake arm. The strap should be under the ½” (12.5 mm) rod and on top of the
spring loaded strap guide.
3. Thread the strapping on top of the roller but under bolt.

Operator’s Manual 12
4. Thread the strapping between the Upper Crimper Roller and the lower bearing mounted on the
Strap Crimper.
5. Thread the strapping around the next bearing, starting from the bottom of the bearing. For
easier threading, bend an upward radius in the strapping. This will allow the strapping to flow
easily around the bearing.
6. Thread the strapping inside of the Rod Frame and against the large roller mounted on the
Horizontal Plunger.
7. Thread the strapping through the slot mounted to the pipe located on the upper braces.

Operator’s Manual 13
8. Thread the strapping through the slot under the bearing.
9. Thread the strapping around the bearing. For easier threading, bend a radius in the strapping.
This will allow the strapping to flow easily around the bearing.
10. Thread the strapping under the roller and in the channel of the Strap Guide Arms. For easier
threading, straighten the strapping before threading under the roller. This will allow the strapping
to flow easily through the Strap Guide Arm and out the other side.
11. As the strapping is being threaded through the Strap Guide Arm, it must be threaded on top
of the pivot point of the Strap Guide Arm Finger.

Operator’s Manual 14
13. Pull approximately 30” (0.75 m) of strapping from the Strap Guide Arm Finger.
14. Remove safety clamp by loosening plastic knob. Release the tension on the red handled
clamp by pulling the handle back.
15. Pull back on the spring-loaded gripper using the finger handle.

Operator’s Manual 15
16. Pre-bend the strapping into a “S” shape. Use 3 fingers to approximate the distance. Make
the lower leg of the “S” flat, without any bumps. Start the end of the strapping by sliding it
under plate “16”.
17. As the spring-loaded gripper is being pulled back, slide the strapping around the side in the
direction of the arrow labeled “17”. At this point the strapping should be located between the 2
rollers and the Gripper. Release the spring-loaded gripper and re-apply tension to the red handled
clamp. Re-install safety clamp with plastic knob to the inside of the machine. Slightly tighten the
plastic knob. Do not over tighten.
Note: The amount of tension on the red handled clamp can be adjusted by adjusting the bolt
mounted in the end of the clamp. Typically the tension should not be changed. It is advised to
contact GFC prior to adjusting the red handled clamp tension. If tension seems to be loose, apply
electric and hydraulic power to the unit to allow all cylinders to be pressured to their original
state and therefore resume proper tension.
After the first bundle is tied, the Band-It automatically rethreads the strapping to look like a “C”
shape. This is no cause for alarm. Anytime we thread the machine it must be in the “S” shape.
Anytime the Band-It threads itself it will be in the “C” shape.