Bush Hog RTS User manual

ASSEMBLY ll OPERATION ll MAINTENANCE
707 $4.00 81451
BUSH HOG®
Model RTS
Rotary Tiller
OOppeerraattoorr’’ss MMaannuuaall

CONGRATULATIONS!
You have invested in the best implement of its type on the market today.
The care you give your Bush og implement will greatly determine your satisfaction
with its performance and its service life. We urge a careful study of this manual to provide
you with a thorough understanding of your new implement before operating, as well as
suggestions for operation and maintenance.
If your manual should become lost or destroyed, Bush og will be glad to provide you with
a new copy. Order from Bush og, P. O. Box 1039, Selma, Alabama 36702-1039. Most
of our manuals can also be downloaded from our website at www.bushhog.com.
As an authorized Bush og dealer, we stock genuine Bush og parts which are
manufactured with the same precision and skill as our original equipment. Our trained
service personnel are well informed on methods required to service Bush og equipment,
and are ready and able to help you.
Should you require additional information or assistance, please contact us.
YOUR AUT ORIZED
BUS OG DEALER
BECAUSE BUS OG MAINTAINS AN ONGOING
PROGRAM OF PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT, WE
RESERVE T E RIG T TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN
DESIGN OR C ANGES IN SPECIFICATIONS WIT -
OUT INCURRING ANY OBLIGATION TO INSTALL
T EM ON UNITS PREVIOUSLY SOLD.
BECAUSE OF T E POSSIBILITY T AT SOME
P OTOGRAP S IN T IS MANUAL WERE TAKEN OF
PROTOTYPE MODELS, PRODUCTION MODELS MAY
VARY IN SOME DETAIL. IN ADDITION, SOME
P OTOGRAP S MAY S OW S IELDS REMOVED
FOR PURPOSES OF CLARITY. NEVER OPERATE
T IS IMPLEMENT WIT OUT ALL S IELDS IN PLACE.
1

RETAIL CUSTOMER’S RESPONSIBILITY
UNDER THE BUSH HOG WARRANTY
It is the Retail Customer and/or Operator’s responsibility to read the Operator’s Manual, to operate,
lubricate, maintain and store the product in accordance with all instructions and safety procedures.
Failure of the operator to read the Operator’s Manual is a misuse of this equipment.
It is the Retail Customer and/or Operator’s responsibility to inspect the product and to have any part(s)
repaired or replaced when continued operation would cause damage or excessive wear to other parts
or cause a safety hazard.
It is the Retail Customer’s responsibility to deliver the product to the authorized Bush Hog Dealer, from
whom he purchased it, for service or replacement of defective parts which are covered by warranty.
Repairs to be submitted for warranty consideration must be made within forty-five (45) days of failure.
It is the Retail Customer’s responsibility for any cost incurred by the Dealer for traveling to or hauling
of the product for the purpose of performing a warranty obligation or inspection.
RTS ROTARY TILLER
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
Warranty -------------------------------------------------3
Dealer Preparation Check List ---------------------4
Safety Precautions ------------------------------------5
I INTRODUCTION & DESCRIPTION----------------------6
1-1 Introduction---------------------------------------------------6
1-2 Description ---------------------------------------------------6
II PREPARATION FOR USE----------------------------------7
2-1 Attaching To Tractor---------------------------------------7
2-2 Offsetting Tiller----------------------------------------------8
III OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS----------------------------9
3-1 General Safety----------------------------------------------9
3-2 Adjusting For Work----------------------------------------9
3-3 Operation---------------------------------------------------10
3-4 Transporting------------------------------------------------10
SECTION PAGE
IV MAINTENANCE--------------------------------------10
4-1 Maintenance Check List ----------------------10
4-2 Lubrication----------------------------------------11
4-3 Blade Replacement----------------------------12
4-4 Bolt Replacement-------------------------------12
4-5 Slip Clutch Operational Check --------------12
4-6 Slip Clutch Adjustment------------------------12
4-7 Troubleshooting---------------------------------13
V DEALER ASSEMBLY ------------------------------13
Safety Deals ------------------------------------------15
Torque Specifications-------------------------------16
Federal Laws & Regulations----------------------17
2

LIMITED WARRANTY
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Bush og warrants to the original purchaser of any new Bush og equipment, purchased from an
authorized Bush og dealer, that the equipment be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period
of one (1) year for non-commercial, state, and municipalities’ use and ninety (90) days for commercial use from
date of retail sale. The obligation of Bush og to the purchaser under this warranty is limited to the repair or
replacement of defective parts.
Replacement or repair parts installed in the equipment covered by this limited warranty are warranted
for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase of such part or to the expiration of the applicable new equip-
ment warranty period, whichever occurs later. Warranted parts shall be provided at no cost to the user at an
authorized Bush og dealer during regular working hours. Bush og reserves the right to inspect any equip-
ment or parts which are claimed to have been defective in material or workmanship.
DISCLAIMER OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES & CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
Bush og’s obligation under this limited warranty, to the extent allowed by law, is in lieu of all war-
ranties, implied or expressed, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE and any liability for incidental and consequential damages with respect to
the sale or use of the items warranted. Such incidental and consequential damages shall include but not be
limited to: transportation charges other than normal freight charges; cost of installation other than cost
approved by Bush og; duty; taxes; charges for normal service or adjustment; loss of crops or any other loss of
income; rental of substitute equipment, expenses due to loss, damage, detention or delay in the delivery of
equipment or parts resulting from acts beyond the control of Bush og.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL NOT APPLY:
1. To vendor items which carry their own warranties, such as engines, tires, and tubes.
2. If the unit has been subjected to misapplication, abuse, misuse, negligence, fire or other accident.
3. If parts not made or supplied by Bush og have been used in connection with the unit, if, in the sole judge-
ment of Bush og such use affects its performance, stability or reliability.
4. If the unit has been altered or repaired outside of an authorized Bush og dealership in a manner
which, in the sole judgement of Bush og, affects its performance, stability or reliability.
5. To normal maintenance service and normal replacement items such as gearbox lubricant, hydraulic fluid,
worn blades, or to normal deterioration of such things as belts and exterior finish due to use or
exposure.
6. To expendable or wear items such as teeth, chains, sprockets, belts, springs and any other items that in the
company’s sole judgement is a wear item.
NO EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF BUS OG IS AUT ORIZED TO C ANGE T IS LIM-
ITED WARRANTY IN ANY WAY OR GRANT ANY OT ER WARRANTY UNLESS SUC C ANGE IS MADE
IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY BUS OG’S SERVICE MANAGER, POST OFFICE BOX 1039, SELMA,
ALABAMA 36702-1039.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Record the model number, serial number and date
purchased. This information will be helpful to your
dealer if parts or service are required.
MAKE CERTAIN T E WARRANTY REGISTRATION
CARD AS BEEN FILED WIT BUS OG/
SELMA, ALABAMA
MODEL NUMBER
SERIAL NUMBER
DATE OF RETAIL SALE
3

DEALER PREPARATION C ECK LIST
ROTARY TILLERS
BEFORE DELIVERING MAC INE — The following check list should be completed.
Use the Operator’s Manual as a guide.
r1. Assembly completed.
r2. Gearboxes filled with oil.
r3. All fittings lubricated.
r4. All shields in place and in good condition.
r5. All fasteners torqued to specifications given in Torque Chart.
r6. Slip clutch checked for proper operation.
r7. All decals in place and readable. (See decal page.)
r8. Overall condition good (i.e. paint, welds)
r9. Operators manual has been delivered to owner and he has been instructed
on the safe and proper use of the cutter.
Dealer’s Signature
Purchaser’s Signature
T IS C ECKLIST TO REMAIN IN OWNER’S MANUAL
It is the responsibility of the dealer to complete the procedures listed
above before delivery of this implement to the customer.
4

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
In addition to the design and configuration of equipment, hazard control and accident prevention are depen-
dent upon the awareness, concern, prudence and proper training of personnel in the operation, transport,
maintenance and storage of equipment. Lack of attention to safety can result in accident, personal injury,
reduction of efficiency and worst of all—loss of life. Watch for safety hazards and correct deficiencies
promptly. Use the following safety precautions as a general guide to safe operations when using this
machine. Additional safety precautions are used throughout this manual for specific operating and mainte
nance procedures. Read this manual and review the safety precautions often until you know the limitations.
1. Read the Operator’s Manual. Failure to read the Operator’s Manual is considered a misuse of this
equipment.
2. Become familiar with all the machine’s controls and all the caution, warning and danger decals
affixed to the machine before attempting to start or operate.
3. Before starting or operating the machine, make a walk around inspection and check for obvious
defects such as loose mounting bolts and damaged components. Correct any deficiency before
starting.
4. Do not allow children to operate the implement. Do not allow adults to operate it without proper
instruction.
5. Do not carry passengers.
6. Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particularly small children and pets. The operator
should cease operation whenever anyone comes within the area.
7. Clear the work area of objects which might be picked up and thrown.
8. Do not operate without all guards and shields in place and in good condition.
9. Lower implement to ground, stop tractor engine and apply parking brake before leaving the tractor.
10. Keep hands and feet away from implement.
11. Wear personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, protection for eyes, ears, feet,
hands and head when operating or repairing the equipment. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry
that may catch on equipment moving parts.
12. When performing adjustments or maintenance on the implement, first lower it to the ground or block
it securely at a workable height.
13. Never stand between tractor and implement while tractor is being backed to the hitch.
14. Reduce speed when transporting implement to avoid bouncing and momentary loss of steering.
15. Use tractor flashing warning lights, day or night, when transporting implement on road or highways
unless prohibited by law.
16. Use a rollover protective structure and seat belt equipped tractor for all implement operations.
This symbol is used to call attention to safe-
ty precautions that should be followed by
the operator to avoid accidents. When you
see this symbol, carefully read the message
that follows and heed its advice. Failure to
comply with safety precautions could result
in serious bodily injury.
5

6
Figure 1-1 Major Components
Mast
itch
Pin
Blades
Parking Stand
Chain Drive Cover
Rear Deflector
Adjustable Skid
Driveline
Chain Retainer
Cross-Shaft Shield
Gearbox (Behind Mast)
SECTION I
INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION
1-2 INTRODUCTION
We are pleased to have you as a Bush og cus-
tomer. Your Rotary Tiller has been carefully
designed to give maximum service with minimum
down time. This manual is provided to give you nec-
essary operating and maintenance instructions for
keeping your rotary tiller in top operating condition.
Please read this manual thoroughly. Understand
what each control is for and how to use it. Observe
all safety precautions decaled on the machine and
noted throughout the manual for safe operation of
implement. If any assistance or additional informa-
tion is needed,contact your authorized Bush og
dealer. NOTE
All references made to right, left, front, rear, top or
bottom is as viewed facing the direction of forward
travel with implement properly attached to tractor.
1-2 DESCRIPTION
The RTS series of rotary tillers are intended for light
duty use in an environment relatively clean of for-
eign objects such as large rocks, roots, etc. Each
tiller is equipped with adjustable skid shoes and rear
deflector shield for setting the desired operating
depth and tilth of soil. Movable hitch lugs and gear-
box allow the tiller to be offset for covering tire
tracks, working close to fences, etc. Because the
gearbox is movable, the driveline angle does not
change when tiller is offset.
Drivetrain consists of a triangular, telescoping input
driveshaft, 90 degree transfer gearbox, hexagon
cross-shaft and a chain driven rotor. Protection is
provided by an in-line shear bolt or slip clutch on the
driveline. The chain is self-adjusted by a spring ten-
sion device. Major components of the tiller are iden-
tified in Figure 1-1 and specifications are given in
Table 1-1.
Table 1-1 Technical Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS MODEL
RTS40 RTS50 RTS62 RTS74
Tilling width (inches) 38 50 62 74
Overall width (inches) 44 56 68 80
Max. offset (inches) 6 12 12 18-1/4
Blades per flange 4444
No. of flanges 6810 12
Hitch 3-point Cat I only
PTO speed (rpm) 540
Rotor speed (rpm) 246
Max. recommended HP 50
Max till depth (inches) 4 (one pass)
Gearbox oil capacity 27n ozs.
Weight (lbs.) 366 418 470 525
Driveline protection Shear bolt or slip clutch

SECTION II
PREPARATION FOR USE
2-1 ATTACHING TO TRACTOR
A. Attach tiller to tractor 3-point hitch per tractor
operator’s manual. Do not attach driveline at this
time. NOTE
Due to the many variations in tractor/implement hitch
points and corresponding differences in distances
between tractor PTO shafts and implement input
shafts, drivelines may need to be shortened as
described in the following steps:
B. Raise and lower tiller to determine position
with shortest distance between the tractor PTO shaft
and gearbox input shaft. Shut down tractor, leaving
tiller in position of shortest distance. Securely block
tiller in position.
C. Pull driveline apart. Attach outer (female) sec-
tion to tractor PTO shaft. Pull on driveline section to
be sure that yoke locks into place.
D. old driveline sections parallel to each other
to determine if it is too long. Each section should end
approximately 3 inches (76mm) short of reaching
universal joint shield on opposite section. If too long,
measure 3 inches back from universal joint shield
and mark on opposite section. (Figure 2-1). Do this
for both sections.
E. Raise and lower tiller to determine position
with greatest distance between PTO shaft and gear-
box input shaft. Shut down tractor leaving tiller in
position of greatest distance. Securely block tiller
in position.
F. old driveline sections parallel to each other
and check for minimum 6 inches (15cm) overlap.
(Figure 2-2) If driveline has been marked for cutting,
overlap will be the distance between two marks. If
driveline has less than minimum overlap, do not use.
Contact authorized Bush og dealer.
WARNING
TO AVOID SERIOUS IN URY OR DEATH:
NEVER STAND BETWEEN TRACTOR
AND TILLER WHILE TRACTOR IS BEING
BACKED TO HITCH.
WARNING
TO AVOID SERIOUS IN URY OR DEATH:
ADDITIONAL TRACTOR FRONT BAL-
LAST MAY BE NEEDED FOR STABLE
OPERATION AND TRANSPORT OF THE
TILLER. SEE TRACTOR OPERATOR’S
MANUAL FOR RECOMMENDED WEIGHTS.
Figure 2-2
Minimum Overlap
7
Figure 2-1
Figure 2-3
NOTE
If driveline is correct length, omit the follow-
ing steps “G” through “J” and proceed to
step “K”.
G. Clamp driveline in a padded vice to
prevent damage to shield. Cut of shield
where marked. (Figure 2-3)

8
26-7/8”
Figure 2-7 Alternate itch Lug Mounting
Figure 2-6 itch Lug Dimension
Clamp
Bolts
Frame itch Pin
Brackets
Gearbox
Input Shaft
26-7/8”
. Using cut off section of shield as a guide, cut
shaft the same amount. (Figure 2-4)
Figure 2-4
I. Repeat steps “G” and “ ” to other driveline
section.
J. Deburr ends of driveline sections and clean
away all chips and fillings. (Figure 2-5)
Figure 2-5
K. Apply multi-purpose grease to inside of outer
(female) driveline section. Assemble driveline and
install on tractor and tiller. Pull on each driveline
section to be sure yokes lock into place. Make cer-
tain driveline shielding is in place and in good condi-
tion.
L. Adjust lower lift arm to level tiller right to left.
Refer to tractor operator’s manual for instructions.
M. Adjust top link of tractor 3-point hitch to level
tiller front to rear.
N. Set up tractor stabilizer bars, sway blocks, or
equivalent to prevent implement side sway.
2-2 OFFSETTING TILLER
The tillers may be offset to the right up to 6 inches on
Model RTS40, 12 inches on Models RTS50 and
RTS60, and 18-1/4 inches on Model RTS74. Adjust as
follows:
A. Loosen U-bolts securing hitch lugs and gearbox
stand to tiller frame.
B. Slide hitch lugs and gearbox to desired position
maintaining the distance shown in Figure 2-6. An addi-
tional 4-1/2 inches of offset can be obtained on the
RTS40 and RTS50 by reversing hitch lugs as shown in
Figure 2-7.
C. Tighten U-bolts.

9
Figure 3-1
Skid Adjustment
1” 2” 3” 4”
SECTION III
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
3-1 GENERAL SAFETY
Only qualified people familiar with this operator’s
manual should operate this machine. Operator
should wear hard hat, safety glasses, and safety
shoes. The operator should read, understand and
practice all safety messages shown on the caution,
warning, and danger decals affixed to the tiller to
avoid serious injury or death. Use a rollover protec-
tive structure and seatbelt equipped tractor for all
operations. Before beginning operation, clear work
area of objects that may be picked up and thrown or
wrapped in tiller blades. Check for ditches, stumps,
holes, or other obstacles that could upset tractor or
damage tiller. Always turn off tractor engine, set park-
ing brake, and allow rotor to come to a complete stop
before dismounting tractor.
3-2 AD USTING FOR WORK
Depth of till is regulated by moving adjusting bolt
and adjusting skids up or down. (Figure 3-1) The
holes in the adjusting plate are in 1 inch increments
with the bottom hole being a 4 inch tilling depth.
Average soil with reasonable moisture will allow
depth of 4 inches in one pass with a tractor forward
speed of 2 mph. eavy or packed soil may require
two passes to reach 4 inch depth. Using multiple
passes, a maximum depth of 7 inches may be
obtained.
Tractor forward speed and rear shield adjustment
(Figure 3-1) will regulate the finished results or tilth
of the soil. Traveling at the slowest forward speed
with the rear shield fully lowered will give finest pos-
sible finish. This shield adjustment is good for
mulching, mixing, and burying weeds, fertilizer, etc.
Tilled soil will become more coarse as forward
speed and shield height are increased. To leave
ground surface rough with larger clods and residue
exposed, work with shield fully raised. When working
in extremely rocky soil, It is recommended that
shield be in the raised position. A slip clutch avail-
able from your Bush og dealer is recommended for
extreme working environments.
Tiller may be offset as described in paragraph 2-2.
THE TILLER CAN FALL FROM HYDRAULIC
SYSTEM FAILURE. TO AVOID SERIOUS
IN URY OR DEATH, SECURELY SUPPORT
TILLER BEFORE WORKING UNDERNEATH.
WARNING