Dakota 310 Owner's manual

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DAKOTA™310 TURF TENDER
OWNER / OPERATOR’S MANUAL
This manual is to be considered a permanent part of this Turf Tender and must remain with
the Turf Tender at all times. Replacement manuals may be ordered through anAuthorized
Dakota dealer.
Copyright2019
DakotaPeatandEquipment, Inc.
p/n20460

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WARRANTY
DAKOTA PEAT & EQUIPMENT is hereinafter called DAKOTA™.
(A) Warranty.
DAKOTA™ warrants all products manufactured by it to be free from defects in material and manufactured at the time of
shipment and for twelve (12) months from date of delivery to customer. DAKOTA™ will furnish to the dealer, without charge,
f.o.b. East Grand Forks, Minnesota, replacements for such parts as DAKOTA™ finds to have been defective at the time of
shipment; or at DAKOTA™’s option, will make or authorize repairs to such parts, provided that, upon request, such parts are
returned, transportation prepaid, to the factory at East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
This warranty shall not apply to any product that has been subjected to misuse, misapplication, neglect (including but not
limitedto impropermaintenance), accident,improper installation,modification (includingbut notlimited touse ofunauthorized
parts or attachments), adjustment, or repair. Engines, motors, and any accessories furnished with DAKOTA™’s products, but
which are not manufactured by DAKOTA™, are not warranted by DAKOTA™ but are sold only with the express warranty, if
any, of the manufacturers thereof.THE FOREGOING IS IN LIEU OFALLOTHER WARRANTIES,WHETHER EXPRESS
ORIMPLIED (INCLUDINGTHOSE OFMERCHANTABILITYANDFITNESS OFANYPRODUCTFORAPARTICULAR
PURPOSE),AND OF ANY OTHER OBLIGATION OF LIABILITY ON THE PART OF DAKOTA.
(B) Limitation of Liability.
It is expressly understood that DAKOTA™’s liability for its products, whether due to breach of warranty, negligence, strict
liability, or otherwise, is limited to the furnishing of such replacement parts, and DAKOTA™ will not be liable for any other
injury, loss, damage, or expense, whether direct or consequential, including but not limited to loss of use, income, profit, or
production,or increased costof operation, orspoilage of ordamage to material,arising in connectionwith the sale, installation,
use, or inability to use, or the repair or replacement of, DAKOTA™’s products.
Any operation expressly prohibited in the operating instructions or manuals furnished with the machine, or any adjustment,
or assembly procedure not recommended or authorized in the operating or service instructions shall void such warranty.
(C) Registration.
THIS WARRANTYIS VOID UNLESSYOUR DEALER COMPLETEDAND RETURNEDA“NEW PRODUCT
REGISTRATIONANDWARRANTY”CARDTODAKOTA™WITHIN 30 DAYSAFTERDELIVERYOFUNITTO
CUSTOMER.
PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE NEW PRODUCT REGISTRATION AND WARRANTY CARD,
LOCATEDATTHEENDOFTHISMANUAL,IFYOUFEELYOURDEALERMAYNOTHAVECOMPLETEDONE
FORYOUATTHETIMEOFDELIVERY.
NoPartsshallbereturnedunderwarrantyunlessaReturnGoodsAuthorization (RGA)isobtained fromDAKOTA™.
ALWAYSGIVE PARTNAME, NUMBERANDMACHINESERIALNUMBERWHENORDERINGPARTS.
NOTE: DAKOTA reserves the right to make changes to design or construction without obligation to
incorporate such changes in equipment previously sold.
The tire manufacturer’s warranty supplied with your Turf Tender may not apply outside the U.S.
YOURDEALER ISRESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLETION OF THEPRODUCTREGISTRATIONCARDANDRETURNING
ITTO DAKOTAAS SOONAS YOU TAKE DELIVERY OF YOUR TURF TENDER. PLEASE REFER TO THE “WARRANTY”
SECTION FOR ADDITIONALINFORMATION.
D) Parts, Service, and Warranty
Contact your local dealer for parts, service, and warranty.
Warranty
Warranty will be denied if the registration
and warranty card is not sent in within 30
daysafterdelivery.

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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Warranty ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY .................................................................................................. 4
SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 5
SAFE OPERATIONAL PRACTICES .......................................................................................................... 5
BEFORE OPERATING ....................................................................................................................... 5
WHILE OPERATING .......................................................................................................................... 5
LOADING ............................................................................................................................................ 6
GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................ 7
LABELING AND TERMINOLOGY ................................................................................................... 7
AUTHORIZED MAINTENANCE....................................................................................................... 7
UNLOAD HOPPER PRIOR TO DOING MAINTENANCE ............................................................... 7
POWER OFF MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS .................................................................... 7
TIRES .................................................................................................................................................. 7
MAINTAIN SAFE OPERATING CONDITIONS ............................................................................... 7
RELIEVE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE................................................................................................. 7
KEEP TURF TENDER CLEAN ..........................................................................................................7
REPLACEMENT PARTS .................................................................................................................... 7
TOWING THE TURF TENDER ......................................................................................................... 7
SAFETY AND INSTRUCTION DECALS .......................................................................................... 8
SETUP ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
OPERATION ................................................................................................................................................ 10
SAFETY INSPECTION .................................................................................................................... 10
SPREADING OPERATION .............................................................................................................. 10
HOPPER CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM ........................................................................................... 11
REAR METERING GATE ................................................................................................................ 11
DUAL SPINNER SYSTEM ............................................................................................................... 12
SPINNER ASSEMBLY ..................................................................................................................... 12
SPREAD PATTERNS AND ADJUSTMENTS .................................................................................. 13
APPLICATION RATES ..................................................................................................................... 15
MAINTENANCE ......................................................................................................................................... 16
HOPPER CONVEYOR BELT ........................................................................................................... 17
DUAL SPINNER SPREADING SYSTEM ........................................................................................ 18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM................................................................................................................... 18
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM .................................................................................................................... 18
STORAGE .................................................................................................................................................... 20
LUBRICATION SCHEDULE ..................................................................................................................... 20

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CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Manufacturer’sName: DAKOTA, Inc.
Manufacturer’sAddress: 833GatewayDriveN.E.
EastGrandForks,Minnesota56721
Declaresthat themachinerydescribedbelow complieswithapplicable essentialhealthandsafety requirementsofParts 1and4
and related clauses of Part 3 of Annex 1 of the Machinery Directive 98/37/EC.
Description: DAKOTA TURF TENDER
ModelNumber:Type 310
SerialNumber:______________________________________
Thefollowingstandardshaveeitherbeenreferredtoorbeencompliedwith,inpartorinfull,asrelevant:
EN 292 - 2 Machinery Sa fety - Basic concepts, general principals for design – Part 2: Technical principals and specifications.
EN 294 Machinery Safety - Safety distances to prevent danger zones being reached by the upper limbs.
EN 811 Machinery Safety - Safety distances to prevent danger zones being reached by the lower limbs.
EN 953 Machinery Safety - General requirements for the design and construction of guards.
EN 954-1 Machinery Safety - Safety Related Parts of Control Systems – Part 1: General Principals for Design.
EN 60204-1 Machinery Safety - Electrical Equipment of Machines.
EN60947-3-1 Electrical Safety - Switches
SAE J1128 Electrical Safety- Wire
ASAE Machine Safety- Tip Over Testing
Full Name of responsible person. Kevin Pierce Position: President, DAKOTA, Inc.
Signature:__________________________________ Date:_________________
FullNameofAuthorizedEuropeanRepresentative.
____________________________(Typed). Position ______________________ (Typed).
Signature:_________________________________ Date:_________________
Original mustremain withmachine owner. EU representative(Dealer) must fax orsend fullycompleted copyto DAKOTA, Inc. Fax number
is218-773-0701.
YOUR DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLETION OF THE NEW PRODUCT
REGISTRATION CARDAND RETURNING IT TO DAKOTA™ AS SOONAS YOU TAKE
DELIVERY OF YOUR MACHINE. PLEASE REFER TO THE “WARRANTY” SECTION
FORADDITIONALINFORMATION.
IF YOU FEELTHATANEW PRODUCT REGISTRATIONAND WARRANTY CARD WAS
NOT COMPLETED AND MAILED IN, PLEASE COMPLETE THE WARRANTY CARD
LOCATED AT THE BACK OF THIS MANUAL WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ACCEPTING
DELIVERY.
DAKOTAPEAT&EQUIPMENT
833GatewayDriveNE
EastGrandForks,Minnesota56721
UnitedStatesofAmerica
CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

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SPECIFICATIONS
ITEM Model 310
Dimensions:
Height: 40 in. (1.02 m)
Length: 101 in. (2.56 m)*
Width: 38 in. (0.96 m)*
Hopper Capacity (level): 10 cu ft (0.28 m
3 )
Hopper Capacity (heaped): 12 cu ft (0.34 m
3 )
Spreading Width (approx): 20 ft (6.1 m)
Speed (forward): 3.8 mph (7.0 kph)
Speed (reverse): 1.25 mph (2.3 kph)
Hopper/Conveyor: Rear Discharge
Metering Gate: Rear manual sliding
Tires: 18x9.5-8
Tire Pressure: 8-15 psi (55-103 kPa)
Hydraulic Fluid: ISO 46
Hydraulic Filter: p/n19988
Weight: 800 lb (362.8 Kg)
ITEM Model 310
MODEL #_________________ SERIAL #_________________
SAFE OPERATIONAL PRACTICES
SPECIFICATIONS
BEFORE OPERATING
Read Operator’s Manuals
Prior to operating theTurf Tender, read and understand the
contents of this Operator’s Manual. Become familiar with all
controlfunctions.
REPLACEMENT MANUAL
A replacement manual (p/n 2046) is available by sending
complete Model and Serial Number to
Dakota, Inc.
833 Gateway Drive, North East
East Grand Forks, Minnesota 56721
Unauthorized Operators
Never allow children to operate the Turf Tender. Do not
allow anyone to operate the Turf Tender without proper
instruction or training. Only trained and authorized persons
should operate the Turf Tender.
The operator is defined as being the person responsible for
supervising the operation of the Turf Tender.
Drugs And Alcohol
Never operate the Turf Tender when under the influence
of drugs or alcohol.
Shields And Safety Devices
Keep all shields, guards, and safety devices in place. If a
shield, guard, or safety device is damaged, replace or repair it
prior to operating the Turf Tender. If a decal is illegible, order
and install a new one.
Loose Fasteners And Fittings
Although the Turf Tender has been designed so that
components will not come loose during normal operation of
the Turf Tender, always check the Turf Tender prior to start
up and after each use for loose fasteners, fittings, connectors
andother components.Tighten,repair,orreplace as necessary.
Thisincludes electrical andhydraulic system components,also.
Only use original DAKOTAreplacement parts.
Modifications To Turf Tender
Do not modify the Turf Tender in any way. Modifying the
Turf Tender will void the warranty.
Safe Attire
Do not operate the Turf Tender while wearing sandals,
tennis shoes, sneakers, or shorts.Always wear long pants and
substantial shoes. Do not wear loose fitting clothing which
could get caught in control switches or moving parts. The
wearing of safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection,
and a hard hat is recommended and may be required by some
ordinances and insurance regulations. When spreading
hazardous material, be sure to use the proper personnel
protective equipment (PPE) required for the material being
spread as stated by the manufacturer of the material.
WHILEOPERATING
Confined Space Operation
Do not run the Turf Tender’s engine in a confined area
without sufficient ventilation. Exhaust fumes are hazardous
and could possibly be deadly.
Danger Zones
The following danger zones exist in and around the Turf
Tender:
1. A crush hazard exists in any area beneath the Turf Tender.
2. A hydraulic jet puncture hazard and hot oil burn hazard
exists in any area within 6 feet (2 m) of a hydraulic hose
due to the possibility of a puncture in a hose.
3. A projectile hazard exists in any area within a 50 foot
(15 m) radius of the rear and sides of the Turf Tender.
Rocks travel farther than sand during normal top dressing
operations.
4. Entanglement, pinch, and cut hazards exist in any areas
close to rotating and moving components such as
conveyors and spinners.
5. A potential entrapment hazard exists within the hopper.
6. A crush hazard exists around the perimeter of the Turf
Tender if operated on a slope exceeding the Turf Tender’s
recommended maximum speed and operational angle (10°
side to side and 26° front to back).
For these reasons, the only person that is allowed to be
near a loaded or operating Turf Tender is the operator.

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You, the operatorin control,are responsiblefor usinggood,
safejudgment in theoperation ofthe TurfTender andensuring
that no one will be injured by it’s operation.
Passengers
Never carry passengers on this Turf Tender. The Turf
Tender is not designed to carry anybody.
Operate Carefully
Using the Turf Tender demands attention to operation.
Failure to operate the Turf Tender safely may result in an
accident,tip over, or serious injury or death.To prevent tipping
or loss of control:
1. The Turf Tender is designed to be operated in forward
with the operator positioned to the side of the machine.
Do not walk backwards looking at the machine. Always
watch where you are going.
2. Operate only at a travel speed you are comfortable with.
Use extreme caution, reduce speed, and maintain a safe
distance when operating around sand traps, ditches, creeks,
trees, ramps, unfamiliar areas, or other hazards.
3. Be alert for severe ground depressions, holes, or other
hidden hazards. If an outside wheel drops into a hole, it
may cause the Turf Tender to tip over.
4. Use caution when operating the Turf Tender on slopes.
Normally travel straight up or down slopes. Operate at a
slow speed when either going up or down a slope.
5. Avoid making turns on slopes.
6. Reduce speed when making turns.
7. Use extra caution and slow travel speed when operating
on wet surfaces, at higher speeds, or with a full load.
NOTE: A worst-case control scenario exists when
the Turf Tender is being operated down a wet slope
at an angle to the slope and the operator is
attempting to turn. Loss of control could result in
an accident, tip over and serious injury or death.
8. Avoid sudden stops and starts. Do not go from forward to
reverse or from reverse to forward without coming to a
complete stop.
9. Do not attempt sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers or other
unsafe operating actions which may cause loss of control.
SAFE OPERATIONAL PRACTICES
10. If the engine stalls or the Turf Tender loses headway on
a hill, never attempt to turn the vehicle around. Always
back straight down the hill slowly in reverse.
11. Make sure the area is clear prior to operating.
12. Always avoid low hanging objects such as tree limbs,
doorways, door jambs, power lines, etc. Ensure there is
enough clearance for both you and the Turf Tender.
13. Always avoid objects, which may “hook” the wheels such
as trees, posts, etc. Be constantly aware of the width and
turning radius of the Turf Tender. Failure to do so may
result in damage to the Turf Tender.
14. Watch out for traffic when near or crossing roads. Always
yield the right of way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
This vehicle was not designed for travel on streets or
highways. Obey all traffic rules and regulations pertaining
to controlled and uncontrolled traffic areas.
15. Limit load size if working on steep or rough terrain.
16. STOP and ask your supervisor if you are ever unsure
about safe operation.
LOADING
Whenloading material, distributethe loadevenly to keepit
from shifting. Operate the Turf Tender with extra care when
the hopper is full of heavy material.
Slowly fill the hopper over a few seconds of time with the
loader bucket as low as possible. Avoid “dropping” the load
into the hopper from an excessively high loader bucket. This
is safer in terms of maintaining a balanced load and will also
extend the life of the Turf Tender.
Make sure the material you are loading has uniform
properties. Material that has few small rocks in it poses a
projectile hazard. Material that has varying composition or
moisture may result in widely varying application rates.
Do not exceed the load capacity of the Turf Tender. Refer
to the Specifications section to determine the maximum load
capacity of the Turf Tender.
Never add sideboards to the hopper to increase its capacity
fordenseorheavymaterials. Theadditionalweightwillincrease
the chance of tipping or rolling over. The hopper capacity of
the may be increased for low-density materials such as peat.

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GENERAL INFORMATION
TIRES
Check the tires frequently for cracks, checks, and proper
inflation.An under inflated tire poses a significant tipping and
braking hazard and may cause an accident, injury and death.
Donotattemptto jack orperformtiremaintenancewith material
inthe hopper.The recommended tirepressure operating range
is 8-15 psi (55-103 kPa). Do not exceed the maximum tire
pressure listed. Tire pressure is an indication of the ground
pressure the Turf Tender has on turf; however, using a tire
pressure which is too low may cause tire problems and also
result in nonuniform ground pressure at the tire’s face.
MAINTAIN SAFE OPERATING
CONDITIONS
Check the conveyor belt for stretch and proper alignment;
adjust accordingly. The conveyor belt has a V-belt vulcanized
to the back side of the belt to help maintain proper alignment
and carry most of the load; however, it is still necessary to
check and adjust (if necessary) belt alignment.
Do not allow hydraulic fluid to come in contact with the
belt. The PVC belt material is resistant to fertilizers, but
hydraulic fluid causes the PVC coating on the belt to
decompose.
RELIEVE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE
Before performing any work on the hydraulic system, all
pressure in the system must be relieved by releasing the
engagement handle and turning the Turf Tender engine OFF.
Residual hydraulic pressure may still be present, so care
must be taken.
KEEP TURF TENDER CLEAN
Keep the Turf Tender free of excessive grass, leaves, and
accumulations of dirt and sand. Materials such as this can
compromise seals and bearings.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
To ensure optimum performance and safety, always
purchasegenuineDAKOTAreplacementpartsand accessories.
NEVER USE “WILL-FIT” REPLACEMENT PARTS AND
ACCESSORIES MADE BYOTHER MANUFACTURERS.
Using unapproved replacement parts and accessories voids
the warranty of the DAKOTA Turf Tender.
TOWING THE TURF TENDER
Never tow the Turf Tender. Towing the Turf Tender results
in hydraulic pressure being built up and will cause damage to
the hydraulic components which will not be covered under
warranty.
GENERALINFORMATION
Owners and operating personnel must thoroughly read and
understand this manual in order to properly operate, lubricate,
and maintain the Turf Tender. Failure to do so could result in
personal injury or equipment damage. Refer to this manual as
frequently as necessary.
LABELINGAND TERMINOLOGY
The Turf Tender and this manual use the following terms
and symbols to bring attention to the presence of hazards of
various risk levels and important information concerning the
use and maintenance of the Turf Tender.
WARNING:Indicatespresence ofahazardwhichcan cause
severe personal injury, death, or substantial property damage
ifignored.
CAUTION: Indicates presence of a hazard which will or
cancause minorpersonal injuryor propertydamage if ignored.
NOTE: Indicates supplementary information worthy of
particular attention relating to installation, operation, or
maintenanceof theTurfTender but isnot relatedto a hazardous
condition.
Besure to followall instructions andrelated precautions as
they are meant for your safety and protection.
This manual is considered a permanent part of the Turf
Tender and must remain with the Turf Tender when sold.
Useonly the correctreplacement parts andfasteners. Right
andleft-hand sides are determined byfacing inthe direction of
the steering wheel.
Record the model and serial numbers in the
specifications section so they are readily available when
contacting a dealer for parts or service. Many owners
employ the dealer’s Service Department for all work other
thanroutine care, cleaning,and adjustments.We stronglyurge
the use of genuine DAKOTA parts to protect the investment
in your Turf Tender.
Ourwarranty isprovided tosupport customers who operate
andmaintain theirequipment as describedin thismanual. This
warranty provides you theassurance that DAKOTAwill back
its products where defects appear within the warranty period.
Should the equipment be abused, or modified to change its
performance beyond the original factory specifications, the
warranty will become void and field improvements will be
denied.
AUTHORIZED MAINTENANCE
Performonly themaintenance described in this manualthat
you are qualified to perform. If major repairs are ever needed
orassistanceisdesired,contactanAuthorizedDAKOTADealer
for their professional service.
UNLOAD HOPPER PRIOR TO DOING
MAINTENANCE
Any material in the hopper must be removed prior to
performing maintenance on or beneath the Turf Tender.
POWER OFF MAINTENANCEAND
ADJUSTMENTS
All maintenance and adjustments to the Turf Tender must
be made with the engine off.

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Do Not Run Without Guards
Location - spinner package on shield, front side of hopper
p/n 11471
Stay Clear
Location - spinner left and right sides
p/n 11475
No Maintenance When In Use
Location - near drive motor on main conveyor, front of hopper
p/n 11472
SAFETY AND INSTRUCTION DECALS
The following decals are installed on the Turf Tender. If
one should become damaged or illegible, replace it. The decal
part numbers are listed below. Replacement decals may be
ordered from anAuthorized DAKOTA dealer.
Cutting Finger/Hand Hazard
Location - outer corners of shield over twin spinners
p/n 11466
Hand Crush Hazard
Location - rear door
p/n 11468
Hand Entanglement Hazard
Location - top of side conveyor
p/n 11467
Hydraulic Puncture Hazard
Location - front side of hopper, near top
p/n 11469
GENERALINFORMATION

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SETUP
Before Starting Engine
1. Check the oil level in the hydraulic reservoir.
2. Check engine oil and gasoline levels.
3. Check the position of the fuel valve and key switch. See
the engine manual for proper use of each.
4. Be sure all persons are clear of conveyor and spinner
areas; then (making sure the E-Stop switch is in the UP
position) using the key switch on the engine, start the
engine. Using the engine speed switch, adjust the engine
to the desired RPM.
The 310 Turf Tender has its own power supply and
hydraulic system. The power supply used is a Honda 11 hp
engine. The engine provides power through an electrically
powered clutch to the hydraulic pump which draws hydraulic
fluid from the reservoir and circulates the fluid to the drive
motors on the Turf Tender.
The 310 Turf Tender incorporates two engine control
switcheson thehandle ofthe machine;an enginespeed control
switch and an E-Stop switch. The engine speed control switch
is a 3-position switch which controls the rpm of the engine.
Idle, 28, and 36 are the three preset modes. The Idle position
is used mainly to warm up the engine and to reduce the engine
rpm when the machine is not spreading. The Idleposition can
not be used for spreading as it will stall the engine. The 28
position governs the engine speed at 2800 rpm. It is intended
for slower speed operation of the Turf Tender. The 36position
governs the engine speed at 3600 rpm and is used for normal
operation.TheE-Stop switchwill immediately turn the engine
off when pressed to the down position. The E-Stop switch
must be in the fully up position in order for the engine to run.
Before Operating For The First Time
1. Check the level of the hydraulic fluid. The fluid should
be at the upper indicator mark on the dipstick of the
breather/filler cap. Fill as required.
2. Check the oil and gasoline levels in the engine. Fill as
required.
3. Read and understand all information in the Honda engine
Operator’s Manual.
SETUP

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OPERATION
SAFETY INSPECTION
Introduction
Every day before operating the Turf Tender, it is important
toperforma safetyinspection“walkaround” oftheTurfTender.
The purpose of the safety inspection is to inspect the Turf
Tender for any unsafe conditions and maintenance concerns.
Finding these conditions before using the Turf Tender can
save time, money, and the possibility of injuries. Check for
loose nuts or bolts, broken or cracked metal and welds, bent
or damaged components, under-inflated tires and leaking
hydrauliccomponents and hoses.Any of these conditions may
indicatea potentially serious situation.
Start the inspection at the handle. Check the handle for
excessive wear or cracks. Check to make sure the steering
moves smoothly from side to side and does not bind. Check
the operation of the engagement handle by squeezing it and
releasing it. Upon release it must return quickly and smoothly
to the OFF position.
Check the area around the engine and battery. Check for
any leaks. Check for any loose wires. Be sure the battery
cables are clean and tight.All wiring should be secured to the
Turf Tender and should not be hanging loose.
Check the left side of the Turf Tender for any unsafe
conditions.Check for anyhydraulic leaks.Visually, make sure
the tire is inflated properly. If in doubt, use a tire gauge and
checkthe tirepressure. Checkfor loosehoses.Allhoses should
besecured to theTurfTender and shouldnot be hanging loose.
Attheback oftheTurf Tender, continue tolookfor hydraulic
leaks and other unsafe conditions. Check the conveyor belt
for damage and proper alignment. Make sure the shield over
the twin spinners is not bent or interfering with the operation
ofthe spinners. Makesure the reargate is notbent or damaged
and is closed as much as needed for the materials you will be
hauling. By hand, rotate each spinner to ensure that it is not
bent and clears other parts of the spinner/chute assembly.
On the right side of theTurfTender, visually, make sure the
tireis inflatedproperly. Checkfor anysigns ofhydraulic leaks.
When finished with the safety inspection and any repairs
or adjustments that need to be made, the Turf Tender is ready
for operation. Make sure the parking brake lever is in the up
(disengaged)position.
SPREADING OPERATION
The 310 Turf Tender is meant to be operated in forward
whilespreading. Thecorrectoperating positionforthe operator
is to be to the side of the handlebars (either left or right
dependent upon individual preference and ground terrain)
looking in the direction of travel. Once the engine has been
started, compressing the engagement handle will activate the
clutch on the engine and hydraulic power is available to the
three functions (spinners, conveyor, and travel). The speed of
each of these three functions is dependent upon the position
of the appropriate lever and the engine RPM. Remember that
engine rpm is determined by the position of the enginespeed
controlswitch, Releasing the engagement handle disengages
the clutch and all functions stop.
Always use a travel speed that is safe. Do not travel at a
speed faster than you can safely operate.
WARNING
Only operate the Turf Tender at a speed you can
safely control.
NOTE: In order to move the travel lever from the
neutral position, press the knob downward.
Be sure to bring the Turf Tender to a complete stop before
making any adjustments that are not controlled by the levers.
WARNING
Do not walk backwards while operating. Always
watch where you are walking.
If an immediate shut down of the Turf Tender is desired or
necessary, press the E-Stop switch down to immediately turn
theengineoff.When start-upisdesired, pulltheE-Stopupward
and go through normal start-up procedures.
OPERATION

11
REAR METERING GATE
The rear metering gate is designed to regulate the flow of
material out of the hopper.
The rear metering gate may be left open a limited amount
if the material you are hauling across your facility does not
flow (leak) out when the conveyor is not running. Dry sand
and fertilizers are especially bad for leaking out and we
recommendthemetering gatebefully closed whentransporting
thesematerials.
There is a scale beside the gate to show you how far the
gate is open (general reference only). The gate opening height
for each operation will need to be determined. For example, a
light topdressing may require the gate to be open 1/8 in. (3
mm); whereas, for a heavy topdressing and core filling, the
gatemay haveto beopen 4-5inches (10-12cm). The operating
speed also affects the amount of material you are dispensing.
Ifaccurate calibration ofmaterial deliveryrates isrequired,
theactualgateopeningshouldbedeterminedusingthefollowing
steps:
1. Make sure the conveyor belt is properly tensioned. Refer
to belt adjustment in the Maintenance section.
2. Press down firmly on the gate so it depresses the belt as
far as it will go; then lock in place with the hand screws.
It requires about 40 to 50 pounds of force to set the
metering gate in the fully closed position. This must be
done since the belt drops slightly below the gate opening
when material is in the hopper. Make sure the gate appears
level.
3. Using a ball point pen, draw a line on the back wall of
the hopper across the top of the metering gate. This is
your “zero” gate opening reference line.
4. On both the right and left ends of the reference line, draw
a scale (fractional inches or millimeters) going up from
the line for an exact gate opening reference.
NOTE: When the metering gate is set to its “zero”
position, material will still flow out the Turf Tender
conveyor when the conveyor is in operation. The
belt cups will actually allow about an 1/8 inch layer
of material to come out the metering gate.
As you test the metering gate for material flow, you should
also check for material leakage under the side wipers of the
hopper.
The metering gate is secured by the two turn-screws, one
oneach side.To adjustgate height,loosen thetwo turn-screws,
adjust to the proper height, and tighten the turn-screws to
secure the adjustment.
HOPPER CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM
Overview
The conveyor running along the bottom of the hopper on
the Turf Tender is used to unload the hopper. It is run
backwards to unload material from the back of the hopper.
Instructions for tightening of the belt and belt replacement
follows later in the Maintenance section.
The 310 Turf Tender models are equipped with a manual
control lever to adjust the speed of the conveyor belt.
Increasing the speed of the conveyor increases the amount of
materialbeing unloading.
Tounloadthehopper,besure thegateisopen the appropriate
amount before running the conveyor. The gate may be left
openalimited amountifthematerial beinghauleddoes not leak
out when the conveyor is not running.
NOTE: Before activating the conveyor belt, make
sure the spinner control lever is in an operating
position. Failure to due so will result in material
piling up on the spinners.
The speed of the spinners may be adjusted to control the
spreadwidth oftheTurfTenderusing thespinner controllever.
Hydraulicflowiscontrolledby the controlsonthehandlebar.
As soon as the hydraulic system is activated (by pulling up on
the engagement handle), all functions with the levers in an
operating position will function. Conveyor speed, spinner
speed, and motion speed and direction adjustments are made
by the levers on the handle. The scales on the levers is not
calibrated to represent any particular units, however the scale
is fairly linear. Upon completing adjustments on the conveyor
and spinner speeds, locate the adjustments using the lever
travellocks.
The normal operating procedure is to preset the conveyor
and spinner speeds; then as you pass onto the area you want
to spread material, stop the travel on the Turf Tender and
move both levers to their presets; then turn on the spinners
and engage the conveyor as you start to move.As you travel
off the area, stop the conveyor while traveling. If additional
spreadingisdesired,the spinnersmaybeleft on. Ifnoadditional
spreadingis desired, turn the spinnersoff,stop theTurfTender
and move the levers to the OFF position.
Generally it is recommended to run the conveyor at a fairly
high speed and adjust the rear metering gate to control the
application rate. Conveyor speed affects the placement of
material on the spinners. Slow conveyor speeds result in the
“holding” of material on the spinners longer resulting in more
wraparound.Withsomematerials,havingtoofastofaconveyor
speedmay result ina very narrowspread pattern (where all the
materialis dischargeddirectly behind theTurfTender).
OPERATION

12
Depending upon the material being applied, the gate may
be left open 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) even when transporting
materials. Sand and other large aggregate type materials will
not flow out at these openings under normal conditions. Finer
materials such as grass seed may tend to flow out even when
the gate is open a small amount.
DUAL SPINNER SYSTEM
The dual spinner function of all Turf Tenders is the same.
A variety of materials from sand and larger aggregates down
to grass seed and fertilizer may be spread. Coverage widths
may be as wide as 20 feet (6 m). It should be noted that “fine
tuning” the system for the specific material being spread is
essential.
Operation
Thedual spinnersystem is veryeasy tooperate. Thespinner
lever on the handlebar controls the spinners. Many operators
leave the spinners on at all times while spreading a load and
only turn the spinners off when the hopper is empty. The
conveyor should be turned ON as you start a pass and OFF as
you complete the pass and turn around.
CAUTION
Always turn the spinners on before starting the
conveyor. Failure to due so will result in material
piling up on the spinners.
Material discharged from the spinners can be very
dangerous; therefore no other people should be near the Turf
Tender when spreading and the operator should remain at the
front of the Turf Tender. The velocity of discharged material
can exceed 60 miles per hour.
Spinner speed adjustments are made by the lever on the
handlebar. The speed of the spinners is not to be adjusted
while the TurfTender is running. The scale on the lever is not
calibrated to represent any particular units, however, the scale
is fairly linear. Upon completing an adjustment, secure the
adjustment lever travel lock.
SPINNERASSEMBLY
Adjustments
OVERVIEW
Avarietyof materialsfromsand andlargeraggregates down
to grass seed and fertilizer can be spread with Turf Tenders.
The 310 Turf Tender model uses smaller hydraulic motors
and is designed for light and heavy topdressing, seeding, and
fertilizer applications. Coverage can be as wide as 20 feet (6
m). It should be noted that “fine tuning” the system for the
specific material being spread is essential. The information
presented here represents thousands of hours of design and
testing, as well as feedback from people like you, the users of
ourproducts. Pleaseread thisinformation thoroughly toensure
that you have an understanding of it’s content.
BLADEADJUSTMENTS
The following figure shows a white right-side spinner disk
with black blades as assembled at the factory. Different
application rates and types of material may warrant changing
the blades from their “neutral” position. Also, gate opening,
spinner speed, and conveyor speed will affect the pattern. In
general for best application of material, avoid running the
conveyor too slowly and avoid running the spinners too
fast. The factory “neutral” setting was designed to yield the
best spread pattern under the following conditions:
NOTE: Do not be too concerned about achieving
the maximum spread width; instead, focus on
getting a good distribution of your spread pattern.
The “neutral” blade setting, points the blades at the center
of the spinner shaft. There is a diamond cut in the spinner disk
indicating the “neutral” position bolt hole for each blade.
OPERATION

13
WARNING
All spinner blade fasteners must be tightened after
each adjustment. Failure to do so could result in
injury or even death.
Thefollowing illustration representshow three bladesmay
be set to hold the material a little longer and three other blades
areset to releasematerial a littlesooner.Anoverview onpattern
distributionsand blade settings follows.
SPREAD PATTERNS AND
ADJUSTMENTS
Overview
Spread pattern is defined as the uniformity of material
distribution. Calibration refers to controlling the amount of
material deposited over a set area.
Prior to setting up the Turf Tender for calibration, the
followingitems must becorrect:
A. The conveyor belt rear roller must be positioned 5 1/4 in.
(13.3 cm) from back wall of vertical chute.
NOTE: This is measured from the flat portion of the
belt.
B. The conveyor belt must be properly aligned and tensioned.
If adjustment is necessary, make the necessary adjustments
at the front end of Turf Tender.
C. All tires must be properly inflated. Remember, the inflation
pressure of the tire indicates how much compaction you
are imparting on your soil. Running the tire pressure too
low may however cause damage to the tire.
D. The spinner shafts must be vertical.
E. The hopper wipers must be adjusted tightly down onto
the conveyor belt. Failure to properly adjust the hopper
wipers results in an adverse spread pattern and application
rate. Adjust the hopper wipers by pushing the belt fully
downward; then adjust the wipers tightly down to the
belt and secure the adjustment.
F. Set the metering gate opening to the approximate material
flow rate. Do not open the gate too far. Instead travel
slower over the area to get a higher application rate.
Opening the gate too high affects the controllability of
the pattern. For most materials, 3-4 inches (7.6-10 cm)
seems to be the point at which pattern controllability
problems arise.
G. Calibrate spinner speed to 325-350 RPM. Extensive
testing has shown that excessive spinner speed results in
uncontrollable patterns, material hitting the spinner shield
and heavy material deposits in the center. Furthermore,
increasing the spinner speed only increases your spread
pattern width slightly and results in segregation of
particulates such that fine ones only go a few feet and the
larger ones travel to the outer region of the pattern. This
causes detrimental results with precision topdressing and
fertilizer application.
H. Calibrate conveyor speed to approximately 70 RPM
(which is full speed). This will result in material just
“skimming” the back wall of the vertical spinner chute.
The placement location of material on the spinners has
proven to be a critical variable in the adjustment and
control of the spread pattern.
I. Take note of the material type, condition, and supplier.
Material, which has varying moisture and/or clay content
from one week to the next, may behave differently each
time you spread it. Wet sand spreads better than wet sand
with high clay content. Wet sand with high clay content
is among the hardest materials to spread. For these reasons,
try to maintain uniform material conditions. Sometimes
it’s as simple as talking with your supplier to arrange for
uniform material to be supplied and covering the material
pile with a tarp so it is not exposed to the elements. In
direct contrast, dry graded silica sand (hour glass sand) is
probably the easiest material to spread.
OPERATION

14
STATIONARYTESTING METHOD
Although there are no references to doing this in industry,
we have found that it is best to run several stationary tests of
thesystemto quicklyfindthe operationalsettingsof thespinner
blades.Byspreading materialinanempty parking lotoranother
area having a paved surface, you will be able to quickly clean
upthedischarged material forreuseaswell asbeableto observe
the uniformity of the spread pattern. Record the general
qualitativecharacteristicsforpatternuniformityandwraparound
(spreading ahead and/or to the sides of the Turf Tender’s
wheels).
We found that, initially, we needed to spread material from
the stationary position and, when done spreading, push the
materialintoa narrowrow(longpile), runningacrossthespread
area. Looking at the amount of material in the strip-pile is a
pretty good indicator of the distribution pattern. After a short
periodof time youwill beableto lookatthe distribution(where
itdropped)todeterminehowuniformthepatternisandeliminate
the need to pile up the material in a row.
Asanexampleofthedifferencesbetweenthetwotestmethods’
results,we foundthatwhen wehad an obviousW spreadpattern
(heavy center and outside edges) using the stationary testing
method, the pan method was indicating that we had a nearly
perfect distribution. The problem is that the pan method did not
accuratelyreflectwherethematerialwasactually deposited after
it had hit the ground, bounced, rolled, and stopped.
Pattern Adjustments
The pattern below shows the optimum distribution of
material behind the spreader from one pass. On the next pass,
the operator should steer at the edge of the pattern, which
overlapsmaterial tothe center ofthe previouspass. Thisresults
in a uniform distribution of material across the ground. Most
importantly, errors in steering cause minimal streaking from
doublespreading or gaps.The problem isthat it isvery hard to
attain this pattern with broadcast spreaders.
Some spreader manufacturers or users prefer to have a
patternlike thefollowing figure.This cangive goodresults but
requires more precise steering to achieve the exact interval
needed. The pattern must be tested with pans to determine the
point half way from the edge to the corner. Then the steering
interval must be maintained or gaps and overspreading result.
The establishment of these preliminary setup steps was
developedthroughextensivetestingandexperience.Forexample,
the conveyor belt’s rear roller distance of 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
from the back wall of the vertical spinner chute was found to
givethebest controlofspread patterndistributionwith allofthe
variousspinner blades.
Basic Spinner Adjustments
If the spread pattern is heavy in the middle, adjust all of
thebladesoneachspinnerdisk twonotchesintheholddirection;
then test the spread pattern. If necessary, move the blades two
more notches in the hold position.
If the spread pattern is heavy on the outside, adjust all of
the blades on each spinner disk two notches in the release
direction; then test the spread pattern. If necessary, move the
blades two more notches in the release position.
The following photo illustrates the hold and release angles
for a right spinner disk which rotates counterclockwise.
Collection Methods
STANDARD PAN COLLECTION METHOD
The typical method of testing the spread pattern is to place
collection pans in a row going across the direction of travel.
Make one or more passes across the pans and measure the
amount of material in each. This doesn’t work with large
broadcast spreaders.
Theamountof materialcollectedin eachpancan begraphed
toreveal thetypeof spreadpattern youare producing.Aperfect
rectangular pattern is very hard to achieve and, in some cases
suchas fertilizer application,not desirable becauseyou would
have to operate impossibly precise to avoid skips or double
application. The inherent limitation of this testing method is
that particles coming out of a broadcast spreader have a very
lowtrajectory angle withhigh velocityand usually skipacross
the surface. Most test runs will have sand sliding across the
pan and launching out the opposite side. We have even tried
using square “egg crate” inserts of varying sizes to provide
better capture of material but we still had material skipping
acrossthe top. Therefore,the industry-standard pancollection
method does not accurately reflect the true distribution of
material.
OPERATION

15
The rectangular pattern is best for sand but requires perfect
steering to avoid gaps and overspreading.
The oval or rounded pattern is common to many spreaders
and can yield good results similar to the trapezoidal pattern.
The same discussion applies. To get it close to a pyramidal
pattern, increase the amount of release angle on the blades.
This should cause more material to fall directly behind the
spreader.Also, reducingthe amountof hold angle should yield
the same result.
The following pattern results from excessive hold angle.
Too much material is staying on the blades too long. Reduce
the hold angle and change half the blades to a release angle.
This pattern may also be caused by too much hold on half
the blades. The heavy center may indicate excessively high
spinner speeds. From a safe distance, watch how material is
exiting the center of the spinners. If a lot of material is coming
offeachspinner in thecenterafterhitting theshieldandcrossing
over the center, the spinner speed is too fast. This is due to
material bouncing off the blades of the spinners rather than
sidingalongthe blade. Ontheotherhand, ifthematerialstreams
crossing from each side are colliding and dropping straight
down, the blades need to hold material a little longer. If there
islittle crossing ofmaterial at thecenter, reduce the hold angle
to bring the edge humps toward the center.
APPLICATION RATES
Overview
Application rate refers to the amount of material spread
over a given area. Often it’s referred to pounds per acre or
1000 square feet.
ToAchieve a HigherApplication Rate:
1. Slow down the ground speed. This is the best option since
your spread pattern will not be affected.
2. Increase the rear gate opening. Doing this may affect
your spread pattern.
3. Decrease spinner speed (spread pattern width); then
decrease the operating interval (overlap). This may also
change the uniformity of spread.
ToAchieve a LowerApplication Rate:
1. Increase ground speed. This is the best option since your
spread pattern will not affected.
2. Decrease the rear gate opening.
3. Increase the spinner speed; then decrease the operating
interval (overlap).
Again, numbers 2 and 3 may affect the spread pattern.
Spread Calculator
Todownloadour“SpreadCalculator”containinginformation
regardingapplication rates, pleasego to:
http://www.dakotapeat.com
OPERATION

16
MAINTENANCE
NOTE: Due to the specialized equipment necessary,
tire removal, repair, and mounting should be only
performed by a tire repair service shop.
6. Place the wheel back into position; then install the wheel
bolts. Tighten until snug.
NOTE: Do not lubricate threads.
7. Using a crisscross pattern, tightening wheel bolts to 90
ft-lb (12.4 kg-m).
CAUTION
Do not under or over torque the wheel bolts.
Inappropriate wheel bolt torque will result in wheels
loosening and possibly falling off.
8. Remove the jack stands from beneath the Turf Tender;
then lower the jack.
NOTE: Wheel bolt torque must be checked every
10 hours after mounting a wheel until the bolts
maintain the proper torque.
CHANGING THE FRONT TIRE
1. Empty all material from the hopper; then chock both rear
wheels.
2. Jack up the frame directly beneath the engine mounting.
3. Using jack stands, support the frame so it is safe to work
beneath. Under no conditions should cement blocks
(cinder blocks) or unstable piles of wood blocks be used.
WARNING
Do not perform maintenance of any kind below the
Turf Tender unless it is properly secured and
stabilized.
4. Remove the axle bolt; then remove the wheel assembly.
5. Remove the wheel bolts; then remove the wheel from the
hub.
6. Bring the wheel to a tire repair center to fix or replace the
tire.
NOTE: Due to the specialized equipment necessary,
tire removal, repair, and mounting should be only
performed by a tire repair service shop.
7. Place the wheel back into position on the hub; then install
the wheel bolts. Tighten until snug.
NOTE: Do not lubricate threads.
MAINTENANCE
WARNING
After all repairs and/or adjustments, always test the
Turf Tender before operating. Failure to do may
result in injury or even death.
Wheels
There is very little chance of a problem with your wheels
unless you are driving on a flat tire or if the wheel bolts have
loosened. If a problem should develop with a wheel, remove
it; then repair or replace as needed.
Tires
The tires on the Turf Tender are designed to provide good
flotation (less compaction) under normal circumstances. It is
important to check tire pressure on all tires periodically to
ensure they are properly inflated. Proper inflation will extend
wear and provide good flotation. The recommended tire
pressure operating range is 8-15 psi (55-103 kPa). Do not
exceed the maximum tire pressure listed.
WARNING
Operation of the Turf Tender with improperly
inflated tires could result in serious injury or even
death due to the potential rollover under certain
conditions such as operating on a hillside.
CHANGINGAREAR TIRE
1. Empty all material from the hopper; then chock the wheel
on the opposite side of the Turf Tender.
2. Jack up the frame directly in front of the axle mount.
3. Using jack stands, support the frame so it is safe to work
beneath. Under no conditions should cement blocks
(cinder blocks) or unstable piles of wood blocks be used.
WARNING
Do not perform maintenance of any kind below the
Turf Tender unless it is properly secured and
stabilized.
4. Remove the wheel bolts; then remove the wheel.
5. Bring the wheel to a tire repair center to fix or replace the
tire.

17
4. When the belt is properly tensioned, secure the adjustment
by tightening the two jam nuts against the frame.
5. Run the conveyor to make sure belt doesn’t slip and
remains running on track.
WARNING
Do not attempt to tighten the conveyor belt when
the Turf Tender is operating.
Belt Replacement
If it becomes necessary to replace the conveyor belt, use
thefollowing procedure:
NOTE: DAKOTA sells replacement kits composed
of a spliced belt and wire splice pin. The splice pin
connects the two halves of the splice.
1. Run the conveyor until the belt splice is close to the front
of the Turf Tender; then shut the engine off.
WARNING
Make sure the engine is not running before starting
the belt replacement procedure.
2. Loosen the jam nut securing each of the two belt tensioning
bolts; then loosen the belt tensioning bolts. Make sure
you loosen each tensioning bolt the same number of turns.
3. Rotate the loose belt until the splice is at the front of the
Turf Tender.
4. Uncrimp or cut off the end of the belt splice securing the
hinge pin.
5. Using a steel rod, drive or push the hinge pin out of the
splice. The steel rod must be long enough to reach across
the entire belt.
NOTE: Once the hinge pin has started to exit the
splice, it may be easier to remove by pulling on it
with a pair of locking pliers.
6. Remove the old belt; then place the new belt into position
making sure the cups on the topside of the new belt have
the open part of the “C” facing to the rear of the Turf
Tender.
7. Align the splices of the new belt; then run the steel rod
(used to remove the hinge pin) through the splice.
MAINTENANCE
8. Using a crisscross pattern, tightening wheel bolts to 90
ft-lb (12.4 kg-m).
CAUTION
Do not under or over torque the wheel bolts.
Inappropriate wheel bolt torque will result in wheels
loosening and possibly falling off.
9. Place the wheel assembly back under the Turf Tender
and install the axle bolt. Tighten to 75 ft-lb (10.3 kg-m).
10. Remove the jack stands from beneath the Turf Tender;
then lower the jack.
NOTE: Wheel bolt torque must be checked every
10 hours after mounting a wheel until the bolts
maintain the proper torque.
HOPPER CONVEYOR BELT
Belt Adjustment
Due to stretching of the belting material with use, it will be
necessary to periodically tighten the conveyor belt. Pressure
onthe belt andwarm temperatures willincrease the frequency
of belt tightening. The belt should be loosened if the Turf
Tender will not be used for an extended period of time or will
be moving to a colder operating temperature due to seasonal
orgeographic changes.
NOTE: If the belt was loosened for storage or any
other reason, the belt will need to be tightened
before using the Turf Tender.
CAUTION
Always tighten the belt at the front roller. Adjusting
the rear roller will affect the material placement on
the twin spinners and may affect belt tracking.
To tighten the conveyor belt, use the following procedure:
1. Loosen the jam nut on each of the tensioning bolts.
2. Using a ¾ inch wrench, turn each tensioning bolt
clockwise 1-2 complete turns. Be sure to make equal
adjustments on both sides.
NOTE: Failure to adjust the belt equally on both
sides could result in improper belt alignment and
damage to the belt. If the belt doesn’t stay on track,
the belt may not be tightened equally on both sides.
3. Test the belt to see if it is properly tensioned.

18
8. Fully insert the new hinge pin into the splice. Use the
hinge pin to push the steel rod out of the splice.
NOTE: The steel rod provides splice alignment.
9. Making sure the hinge pin does not stick out beyond either
edge of the belt, crimp both ends of the splice so the
hinge pin cannot work its way out of the splice.
10. Tension the belt at the front rollers by equally tightening
the front tensioning bolts. Using a torque wrench, tighten
each of the front tensioning bolts to approximately 35 ft-
lb (4.8 kg-m). This is a “ballpark” value since the belt
will expand and contract with temperature changes.
Ultimately, the best method of tensioning is to have it
just tight enough to not slip while unloading material.
11. Test the belt for proper alignment by running the conveyor.
Make small adjustments to the tensioning bolts for this
belt alignment fine tuning.
15. When the alignment and tensioning are complete, secure
the adjustment by tightening the jam nuts.
Regular Maintenance
Regularmaintenance ofthe conveyorsystem consistsof:
1. Regularly clean and wash the hopper and conveyor
especially if hauling potentially corrosive materials such
as fertilizer.
2. Keep belt tight when in use.
3. Loosen belt at the front rollers when Turf Tender is not
going to be used for an extended period of time. The belt
contracts a significant amount as its temperature drops so
loosening the belt for winter storage is important.
4. Periodically check belt for tears and wear.
5. Never allow hydraulic fluid to come in contact with the
belt. It is made of PVC which provides resistance to
fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals but has little
resistance to hydraulic fluid.
DUALSPINNERSPREADINGSYSTEM
Regular Maintenance
Periodically check the hydraulic hoses for worn areas and
other unsafe conditions (cracks or leaks). This should be part
of the safety walk around each time before using the Turf
Tender. Pinhole leaksunder pressurecan pierceskin and inject
hydraulic oil under your skin. Never handle hoses while the
hydraulic system is pressurized.
Whenever changing spinner blades, thoroughly clean the
spinnershafts before installinga different setof spinners.This
prevents a buildup of dirt, grease, and other materials. After
cleaning, applyAnti-Seize to the shafts.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NOTE: Electrical schematics are available upon
request. If electrical problems are experienced,
contact either your dealer or Dakota Peat.
Overview
The Turf Tender electrical system obtains its power from
theengine battery.Theengagement handleuses micro switches
to control the engagement of the electric clutch on the engine.
If the Turf Tender loses all functions, troubleshoot the battery,
battery cables, the microswitches, or the electric clutch.
Wiring
All wiring conforms to SAE J1128 standards low tension,
PVC insulated, stranded copper wire. The PVC insulation has
a 176ºF (80ºC) temperature rating. It is important that wires
not be routed through areas having high temperatures.
Exposedwires are alsoencased in black,abrasion-resistant
looming wherever possible. The working temperature range
of the loom is -34º to 200ºF (-34º to 93ºC).Again, since this a
low temperature plastic, it is important that the wires are not
routed near areas with high temperatures.
MAINTENANCE

19
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
The hydraulic system should be filled with premium grade
ISO 46 (universal) fluid. The oil should be good for at least
two years unless one of the following problems occur:
1. If the reservoir is contaminated with excessive water
or dirt. Hydraulic fluid can hold more than 20% water in
solution. Usually at these high levels, the fluid will appear
milky. A quick test for water at lower concentrations may
be performed outside with a hot (>300°F) sheet of steel.
With the sheet heated, drop a small amount of hydraulic
fluid in the center of the sheet. If it sputters there is a
significant amount of water in the fluid and the fluid should
be replaced.
2. If the oil has been overheated [above 190° F (87°C)].
The oil will have a foul odor. Do not use oil that has been
overheated. The lubricating properties have been destroyed
and acids and varnish have been created by oxidation.
3. If a pump or motor has had a catastrophic failure
resulting in metal fragments and particles entering the
fluid. These particles may cause the replacement
components to fail before the filter cleans up the system.
The filter in a hydraulic system does not filter out 100%
of all particles as the fluid passes through it.
After any of the above have occurred, the entire system
should be drained, cleaned, and filled with new fluid. Anew
filter should always be installed after any maintenance to the
hydraulicsystem.
FITTINGSAND HOSES
All hoses and fittings are rated for 3000 psi or greater. All
replacement fittings and hoses must meet or exceed this
specification.
All components use either an O-ring boss or 37° flare
hydraulic fittings. Do not use pipe-threaded hoses or fittings
for replacements. Do not use Teflon tape or pipe thread
compound. These are not helpful and may cause damage to
the system.
Operation
Hydraulic flow is required to operate the Turf Tender
functions. When the engagement handle is compressed to the
handle, the oil is directed to whatever motor (conveyor,
spinners, or movement) is set in the activation mode.
Hydraulic Schematics
NOTE: Hydraulic schematics are available upon
request.
MAINTENANCE

20
STORAGE
Either drain the gasoline from the engine or add stabilizer
to the tank. While running the engine, turn the fuel shut-off
valve to the OFF position and let the engine run out of gas.
Press the E-Stop switch to the down (OFF) position. Service
the engine as directed in the engine operator’s manual.
Relax the tension on the conveyor belt.
Check the air pressure on all tires and fill if needed to
maintain recommended pressure. It is usually a good idea to
make any needed repairs before storing the TurfTender. If all
repairs and maintenance is completed before storing the Turf
Tender, it will be ready for use immediately when you need it.
Ifyou have takenthe time tocomplete these seasonstorage
operations, removing the Turf Tender from storage will be
easy. Do a safety inspection.
If you did not have time to store your Turf Tender properly
you may have to do repair work on the Turf Tender before
you can use it. Clean the battery cables and make sure the
battery is fully charged. Check the tire pressure and fill the
tires. Do a complete safety inspection of the Turf Tender to
spot any potential problem areas. Fix any problems that you
find. Tighten the conveyor to the proper tension. Hose off the
layer of dust that has collected on the Turf Tender. The Turf
Tender should be ready to use.
STORAGE
Before storing the Turf Tender for an extended period of
time, such as over the winter, it is important to make sure the
Turf Tender is in good condition and all maintenance is
complete.
Wash the Turf Tender thoroughly to make sure you have
removed all corrosive or potentially corrosive materials. Let
the Turf Tender dry completely, especially if you will be
covering the Turf Tender.
LUBRICATION SCHEDULE
ITEM INTERVAL
HYDRAULIC FILTER ANNUALLY
HYDRAULIC OIL EVERY 2YEARS
ENGINE OIL ANNUALLY
0416