Freeman 280 User manual

A Product of
Sherwood, Oregon USA
PB280380SP For serial numbers: 380S14G712
Operators Manual;
280-380 Self-Propelled
Baler

2Rev 4/2018
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning
Diesel engine exhaust and some of its constit-
uents are known to the State of California to
cause cancer, birth defects, and other repro-
ductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, birth defects, and other repro-
ductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Other chemicals in this vehicle are also known
to the State of California to cause cancer, birth
defects, and other reproductive harm.

Rev 4/2018 3
Contents
General Overview.......................................................6
General Information....................................................7
Safety .........................................................................8
General ................................................................8
Safety Symbols ....................................................8
Operation Warnings .............................................9
Hydraulic Hazards ............................................10
Maintenance Safety ...........................................10
Safety Equipment...............................................11
Electrical Hazards..............................................11
Compressed Air Hazards ..................................11
Fire Safety..........................................................12
Reduce the Risk of Fire.....................................12
Fire Fighting Equipment ....................................12
Fire Suppression................................................13
Specifications ...........................................................14
Instruments and Controls.........................................15
Overhead Instrument and Controls ...................16
Control Switch Colors ........................................16
Armrest Control Panel .......................................17
Hydrostatic Drive Control Handle Functions .....17
Baler Drive Switch .............................................18
Engine Speed Adjustment Switch .....................19
Ground Speed Switch........................................19
Corner Post Monitors.........................................20
Warning Display Panel.......................................21
Fuel Gauge ........................................................22
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge .................22
Dual Digital Display............................................22
Operating Dual Digital Display .........................22
Heater and Air Conditioning Controls................23
Temperature Control ..........................................23
Heater ................................................................23
Air Conditioning .................................................23
Defogging...........................................................24
Windshield Wiper Switch ...................................24
Light Control Switches.......................................25
Cab Interior Lights ............................................25
Start Switch ......................................................26
Horn ..................................................................26
Bullgear Luber Button........................................27
Turn Signals .......................................................27
Steering Wheel Height Adjust............................27
Steering Column Tilt Adjust ...............................28
Storage Tray/Cab Air Filter ................................28
Manual Storage..................................................28
Cab Storage Box & Decal .................................29
Cab Door Lock...................................................29
Emergency Exit (Right-Hand Cab Window) ......29
Operator's Seat..................................................30
Checking Operator Presence System ...............30
Seat Suspension and Forward/Rearward
Adjustment .........................................................30
Adjusting Left-Hand Armrest and Seat Back ....31
Seat Belts ..........................................................32

4Rev 4/2018
Contents Continued
In Cab Monitor (ICM) Overview ...............................33
Introduction To The Baler Monitoring System ...33
Machine / Baler Sensors ...................................33
Baling Screen...........................................................34
Bale Count Screen...................................................35
Main Screen .............................................................36
Adjust Screen...........................................................37
Main Screen.......................................................37
Tension Value Display Format Screen .....................38
Measure Screen.......................................................39
Adjust Screen ....................................................39
Preferences Screen..................................................40
Preferences Screen..................................................41
Measure Screen ................................................41
Info Screen ...............................................................42
Preferences Screen ...........................................43
Machine Break-In .....................................................44
After One Hour of Operation .............................46
After 50 Hours of Operation ..............................46
After 100 Hours of Operation ............................46
Pre Starting Checks .................................................47
Checking Warning Lights...................................50
Check Warning Lights:.......................................50
Starting Engine ..................................................51
Operating Engine .....................................................51
After Engine Starts ............................................52
Stopping Engine ...............................................52
Hot Weather Operation ......................................53
Learning To Operate the Baler ................................54
Preparing For The Field.....................................55
Operating Speed................................................55
Starting Baler.....................................................55
Operating The Baler ................................................55
Raising and Lowering Pick-up ...........................56
Engaging Baler ..................................................56
Towing SP Baler ................................................57
Settings And Adjustments........................................59
Service Tires Safely...........................................59
Tire Inflation Pressures......................................59
Checking Wheels ...............................................60
Steering, Hydrostatic Controls and Linkage......60
Steering Adjustments.........................................61
Check Neutral, Forward and Reverse Positions 62
Fine Adjustment.................................................62
Coarse Adjustment ............................................62
Internal Park Brakes ..........................................63
Check and fill .....................................................63
Replace Oil ........................................................64
Air Conditioning and Heating System ...............65
Observe Air Conditioning/Heating Precautions .66
Removing Fresh Air Filter and Tray ...................66
Removing Recirculating Filter............................67
Cleaning Fresh Air and Recirculating Filters.....68
Cleaning Dirty Evaporator Filter: .......................68
Cleaning Air Intake Panel ..................................69
Cleaning Condenser ..........................................69

Rev 4/2018 5
Contents Continued
Checking Compressor and Drive Belt ...............69
High Pressure Switch ........................................69
Low Pressure Switch .........................................70
Knotter Settings........................................................71
Knotter Settings .................................................71
Needle ..............................................................71
To Check Needle Timing:...................................71
Needle Timing Adjustment ...............................71
Meter Trip Bar ...................................................72
Knotter Clutch ...................................................72
Knotter Brake ....................................................73
Twine Needle Adjustment ..................................74
Twine Finger Adjustment ...................................75
Knotter Adjustment ............................................76
Twine Holder ......................................................76
Twine Disc..........................................................76
Knife Arm ...........................................................77
Cam Gear Adjustment .......................................77
Feed Fork .........................................................78
Feed Arm ..........................................................78
Feed Arm Safety Latch......................................79
Plunger .............................................................79
Plunger Knife .....................................................81
Pinion and Bullgear (if applicable).....................82
Bullgear Luber (if applicable).............................82
Applying Bullgear Grease .................................83
Gearbox (if applicable).......................................83
Bale Length........................................................84
Pickup ...............................................................85
Hay Saver Wheel ..............................................85
Motorized Hay Saver Wheel Option ..................86
Twine Routing (3 tie shown).....................................87
Twine Routing (3 tie shown).....................................87
Fuel, Coolant And Lubrication .................................90
Filling Fuel Tank.................................................90
Hydraulic Pump Drive Gear Case, Hydrostatic
Drive and Main Hydraulic Systems Oil..............90
Bullgear Grease (if applicable) ..........................90
Wheel Drive Oil..................................................90
General Grease (not for use on bullgears)........91
Lubrication and Maintenance...................................92
Observe Lubrication Symbols............................92
Service Interval Display .....................................92
Fuse Chart ...............................................................98
Troubleshooting ........................................................99
Knotter ...............................................................99
Air Conditioning ...............................................102
Heater ..............................................................106
Drive System....................................................107
Hydraulics ........................................................109
Electrical ..........................................................110
Steering/Throttle/Tires .....................................113
Park Brake/Seat/Display ..................................113

6Rev 4/2018
Your decision to buy a Freeman Self Propelled (SP) Baler was a wise decision. When it comes to
harvesting hay, Freeman is a solid investment. You will find your new baler comes from a long history
of top quality haying equipment. At Allied Systems Company, our goal is to provide you with the most
rugged, highest capacity, longest lasting equipment available on the market.
Freeman SP Balers, manufactured by Allied Systems Co., combine the best of Freeman and John Deere
technologies. By using both Freeman and John Deere components, the best of both companies are
integrated to produce the best SP Baler on the market today. The baler frame and all baling components
are Freeman designed and built. The operators cab, engine and steering are from John Deere.
At Allied Systems Company, safety is not just a word, it is the Rule and we pride ourselves on an
outstanding safety record. This concern for safety is displayed in the equipment that we build. Special
care has been taken while designing your Freeman SP Baler to make it as safe as possible.
We recommend that you carefully read the entire manual before operating your new SP Baler. Becoming
fully acquainted with its performance features, adjustments, controls and maintenance schedules will be
repaid in a long, satisfactory life of the product.
General Overview

Rev 4/2018 7
General Information
The purpose of this manual is to assist the operator in maintaining and operating a Freeman SP Baler.
Please read it carefully, as it provides important information and instructions that will help you achieve
years of dependable equipment performance.
NOTE: Reference to left-hand and right-hand usage throughout this manual refers to the position
when seated in the operator’s seat, facing forward.
Replacement Parts: Only genuine Freeman replacement parts should be used to service the SP Baler.
These parts are available from your authorized Freeman dealer. To ensure prompt and efficient service
when ordering parts or requesting service repairs, remember to provide the dealer with the following
information:
1. The correct part description or part number.
2. The model number of the baler.
3. The serial number of the baler.
Use the Freeman parts books you received with your SP Baler for ordering parts.
The serial number is very important in effectively transacting a parts order or service repair with the
dealer. Use the serial number in all correspondence to ensure proper identification of your Freeman
SP Baler. The serial number is located on the baling chamber as shown.
Figure 1. Baler Serial Number Location
Side Feed Baler Serial Number Format
385E16-123
Drive Type
E - Engine
H - Hydro
D - Driveline
S - Self Propelled
M - Modules
Plunger Size
14", 15", 16", 21"
Sequential
Number
Twines/Bale
2 - 2-Tie
3 - 3-Tie
Knotter
0 - Conventional
5 - Tailless
Model
7 - Base
8 - Premium
Dash - No Option
G - Gearbox

8Rev 4/2018
General
The following pages contain general safety warn-
ings which supplement specific warnings and
cautions appearing elsewhere in this manual.
All electrical and hydraulic equipment is poten-
tially hazardous. You must thoroughly review and
understand this Safety Section before attempting
to operate, troubleshoot, maintain or service this
baler.
Time, money and effort have been invested in
making your Baler a safe product. The dividend from
this investment is YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY.
However, it must be realized that no power-driven
equipment can be any safer than the person behind
the controls. If you don’t operate and maintain your
Freeman Baler safely, our efforts will have been
in vain.
The safety instructions and warnings, as docu-
mented in this manual and shipped with the
machine, provide the most reliable procedures for
the safe operation and maintenance of your Baler.
It’s your responsibility to see that they are carried
out.
Allied Systems Company cannot anticipate all
worksite conditions, local regulations, etc. It is the
responsibility of the end user to be aware of and
obey any specific worksite, local, state, or national
regulations or procedures that are applicable to
operating this baler.
NOTE: All possible safety hazards cannot
be anticipated so as to be included in this
manual. Therefore, you must always be alert
to potential hazards that could endanger
personnel and/or damage the equipment.
Safety Symbols
The following symbols/terms are used to empha-
size safety precautions and notices in this manual:
DANGER
The “DANGER” symbol indicates a
hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
will result in death or serious injury. Care-
fully read the message that follows to
prevent serious injury or death.
WARNING
The “WARNING” symbol indicates a
hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
Carefully read the message that follows to
prevent serious injury or death.
CAUTION
The “CAUTION” symbol indicates a hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, could result
in minor or moderate injury, or equipment
damage. Carefully read the message that
follows to prevent minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE
The “NOTICE” symbol alerts to a situation
that is not related to personal injury but may
cause equipment damage.
NOTE: …
The term “NOTE” highlights operating
procedures or practices that may improve
equipment reliability and/or personnel perfor-
mance, or to emphasize a concept.
Intended Use Statement:
This baler is intended to gather and
compress loose, fibrous material (i.e., hay)
and form it into rectangular bales. Use in
any other way is considered to be contrary
to the intended use. If you are unsure of
the material you intend to bale, consult the
factory.
Safety

Rev 4/2018 9
Operation Warnings
WARNING
Warning: Failure to observe the following
safety rules may result in extreme personal
injury, dismemberment or death. It is the
operator’s responsibility to understand the
proper and safe use of this baler.
Make sure that you read, understand, and
obey all of the safety precautions and operating
instructions in this Operator’s Manual.
• Keep this Operator’s Manual and the Safety
Card (Allied form #89-028) with the baler at
all times.
• Do not operate the baler unless you are autho-
rized and trained to do so. If it has been some
time since you last operated the baler, re-famil-
iarize yourself with the baler before starting,
then proceed slowly.
• Do not operate the baler if you are aware of any
malfunctions, needed maintenance or repairs.
• Stop the baler immediately if any problems
arise.
• Never allow others to ride on the baler.
• Never allow anyone within 10
ft of the baler while the baler
is in operation.
• Never operate the
baler without all safety
shielding in place.
• Keep hands, feet, hair,
jewelry and clothing away from moving parts,
including but not limited to the pickup, knotter,
and flywheel.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing
which can easily be caught
in moving parts.
• Use appropriate signs
(i.e., Slow Moving
Vehicle sign), signals
or warning lights
when transporting on highways.
• Always use lights when working at night or in
low light conditions.
• Know your job-site rules. Some have site
specific directions and procedures. The
methods outlined in this manual provide a
basis for safe operation of the baler. Because
of special conditions, your company’s baling
procedures may be somewhat different from
those shown in this manual.
• Do not start the baler if the key has been
marked with a “DO NOT START” or “RED” tag.
• Never operate any of the baler controls from
anywhere other than the operator’s seat.
• Alert personnel in the area before starting the
engine, and make sure everyone is clear. Be
sure that all controls are in neutral and the
baler is disengaged before starting the engine.
• Each country has its own safety legislation. It is
in the operator’s own interest to be conversant
with these regulations and to comply with them
in full. This also applies to local bylaws and
regulations in force on a particular worksite.
• Should the recommendations in this manual
deviate from those in the user’ country, the
national regulations should be followed.
• Never attempt to disconnect any of the safety
devices built into the baler.
• Maintain proper clearance from energized
equipment, energized power lines or other
power sources. High voltage electricity can
discharge to ground without direct contact
with the baler’s structure. If the baler contacts
energized equipment, or if electrical energy
does discharge through the machine—stay
clear, and prevent anyone else from coming
in contact with the baler. If you are on the baler,
stand fast, avoid contact with metal surfaces,
and do not permit anyone to come into contact
with the baler. Finally, Do not jump off.

10 Rev 4/2018
Hydraulic Hazards
Be aware of the hazards of pressurized hydraulics:
• Wear personal protective equipment, such as
gloves and safety glasses, whenever servicing
or checking a hydraulic system.
• Assume that all hydraulic hoses and compo-
nents are pressurized. Relieve all hydraulic
pressure before disconnecting any hydraulic
line.
• Never try to stop or check for a
hydraulic leak with any part
of your body; use a piece
of cardboard to check for
hydraulic leaks.
• Small hydraulic hose
leaks are extremely
dangerous, and can inject hydraulic oil under
the skin, even through gloves.
• Infection and gangrene are possible when
hydraulic oil penetrates the skin. See a doctor
immediately to prevent loss of limb or death.
Maintenance Safety
• Perform all routine maintenance outlined in
this Operator’s Manual in the time intervals
indicated.
• Maintenance, lubrication and repair of this
machine can be dangerous unless performed
properly. In order to ensure safety, each person
working on this baler must have the necessary
skills, information, tools and equipment, and
satisfy himself that his work method is safe,
correct, and meets his own company’s require-
ments.
• Do not attempt to make adjustments, or perform
repairs unless you are authorized and qualified
to do so.
• Never attempt to service energized equipment.
• Do not rely on the hydraulic system to support
any part of the baler during maintenance or
lubrication. Never stand under a baler compo-
nent that is supported only by the hydraulic
system. Ensure components are resting on
their mechanical stops or supported with
appropriate safety stands during maintenance
or lubrication.
• Never attempt servicing while the baler is
moving. Shut off the baler and secure power.
• Disengage the baler and shut off engine, and
wait for all movement to stop before adjusting,
lubricating, cleaning, or servicing the baler.
• Tag the key switch with a ”DO NOT START”
sign and/or remove the key.
• Always perform all maintenance and lubrica-
tion procedures with the baler on level ground,
parked in a safe area.
• Block the tires to keep the machine from rolling.
• Any unauthorized modifications made to the
baler by the customer or parties other than
Allied Systems will relieve Allied Systems
Company and your Freeman dealer of any
liability for damage or injury.
• Replace any worn parts only with genuine
Freeman parts. Call your dealer for assistance.
• Unless specified in service procedures, never
attempt maintenance or lubrication procedures
while the baler is moving or the
engine is running.
• Engine exhaust fumes can
cause death. If it is neces-
sary to run the engine
in an enclosed space,
remove the exhaust
fumes from the area
with an exhaust pipe
extension. Use ventilation fans and open shop
doors to provide adequate ventilation.