Howard ST 400 User manual

ST 400
HOWARD
ST 400
Operating Instructions

ST 400
14
CONTENTS
Safety precautions........................................ 14-18
Specification & description ........................... 19-20
New maschine ....................................................21
Attaching machine to the tractor.........................21
Depth control ......................................................21
Rotors.................................................................22
Lubrication + maintenance .................................22
Operating instructions ........................................23
Operational advice .............................................24
Introduction
Howard would like to thank you for purchasing this machine and offer their support and assistance
throughout its productive life.
This machine has been designed and manufactured as a tractor driven, ground cultivator - no other use
is intended.
Please read and understand this manual before operating the machine.
Warranty
Thewarrantyapplicable toyour machineisdetailed on separatedocumentationwhichshould accompany
this manual. If this is missing, please contact your dealer.
Serial Number
The Serial Number and Model are stamped on the Identification Plate attached to your machine.
For future reference record this information below. Always quote them when ordering spare parts.
MODEL ________________
SERIAL No. ________________________
Date Purchased: ________________

ST 400
15
ENGLISH
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS !
!PLEASE READ. IT MAY SAVE A LIFE.
SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Thesafety ofoperatorsand anyotherconnected personnel
is a major component of; machine design, manufacture,
retailing, commissioning, operation and maintenance.
Howard have designed and manufactured this
machine with as many safety features as possible. The
retailer’s responsibility is to ensure you have selected the
correct machine for your tractor/application and to
commission this machine.
Your responsibilities as owner or operator are to ensure
thesafetyofany personnel in connectionwith; theoperation,
transport, maintenance or storage of this machine. Be
awareofyourresponsibilitiesandcarrythem out. The owner
or an appropriately designated officer, if the owner is a
company or corporation, is responsible for all safety issues
related to this machine.
The most important safety device attached to this machine
is a Safety Conscious Operator whose training and
experience must include:
• Correct and complete installation and commissioning of
the machine to ensure safe and reliable operation in the
intended application.
• Training in safety issues, operation and maintenance of
this machine in its application prior to beginning work.
This training is to be reviewed or repeated annually.
• Being aware of their environment to the extent that
unforeseen safety issues that may arise are dealt with to
ensure the safety of all personnel (including operators,
maintenance personnel and bystanders).
Fig. 1
This is the SAFETY ALERT symbol and means:
ATTENTION ! SAFETY ISSUE !
Failure to comply with the given instruction could result in
severe injury or death.
If you have questions not answered in this manual please
contact your dealer or distributor.
IF YOU REQUIRE MORE COPIES OF THIS MA-
NUAL PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DEALER.
ALTERNATIVELY YOUARE WELCOME TO COPY
AND DISTRIBUTE THIS MANUAL TO THE
OPERATORSAND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.
SAFETY DECAL CARE
• Keepsafetydecalsclean and legibleatalltimes. Replace
any missing safety decals or any that have become
illegible. Safetydecalscan bepurchasedfromyou dealer
or distributor.
• Ifany partisreplaced thatsupports a safetydecal ensure
that a decal is affixed to the replacement part.
ATTACHING SAFETY DECALS
1.Clean and dry the area where the decal is to be affixed.
Warm soapy water is the best as some cleaning agents
leave an oily film which may prevent the decal adhering.
2.Remove/foldback asmallportion ofthe backing andaffix
the exposed portion of the decal in the desired position.
3.Peel back the remaining backing paper from under the
decal and smooth down the decal with a rag, working
any bubbles towards the edge of the decal.
4.Any bubbles that remain trapped can be pierced with a
pin and smoothed down.
DANGER!
OBJECTS
PROJECTION.
WARNING!: READ
CAREFULLY THE
INSTRUCTIONS.
BEFORE HANDLING OR
REPAIRING THE MACHINE
REMOVE THE TRACTOR
IGNITION KEY
STAY AT LEAST AT A
DISTANCE OF 4 METERS
WHEN THE ROTAVATOR IS
RUNNING.
DO NOT STAY ON THE
ROTAVATOR WHEN
TRANSPORTING
NEITHER WORKING
THE DRIVE IS BY A
PTO FROM A 540
TPM TRACTOR PTO
LIFTING
POINT
1 65432
MAINTAIN HANDS AND FEET AWAY WHEN
ROTAVATOR IS WORKING
7
7
4
1
6
5
4
32

ST 400
16
AT ALL TIMES
• Use the machine only for the purpose for which it has
been designed, and in accordance with the instructions
in this operators manual.
• Ensure that only responsible, properly instructed people
operate this machinery. Inexperienced operators will
require training, followed initially by careful supervision.
• Children are not permitted to operate this machinery.
• Keep children well clear and appropriately supervised
when connecting/disconnecting the tractor, operating or
maintaining this machinery.
• Donotwearclothes that areloosefittingorwithdrawstring
ties which can catch in moving parts.
• Wear appropriate protective clothing and equipment.
Boots are a minimum, however if your tractor is not fitted
with a controlled environment cab you may also need
protection from prolonged exposure either to noise, dust
or sunlight.
• Interpret ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ as if seated in the operators
seat and facing forward.
BEFORE OPERATION
• Read and understand this manual.
• The tractor to be connected to the machine:
- Must be the tractor that the machine has been
commissioned to operate with. Check that it has been
correctly maintained and has not been re-configured
(for example front weights removed etc) which may
reduce stability and control.
- Consult the Tractor Manufacturers Manual for
instructionson mountingimplements and safeworking
methods.
- Isrecommended to befitted with aRollOver Protection
System (ROPS).
- Must be one the operator is familiar with.
• Priorto startingthetractor ensurethe PTO isdisengaged
and the tractor is in neutral.
• Do not allow anyone to stand between the tractor and
machine while backing the tractor up to attach it.
- Quick hitch systems are recommended for both Safety
and convenience.
- Before attempting to connect the universal drive shaft
to the tractor, lower the machine to the ground, stop
the tractor, apply the park brake and remove the key.
• Visually inspect the machine and check:
- Hitch pins and drive shaft are secure.
- No components are excessively worn, cracked or
otherwise defective and all bolts are tight.
- Guards, covers, warning labels and safety devices are
all correctly fitted and operative.
- Maintenance as per schedule has been carried out.
- No tools or other unsecured items have been left on
the Rotavator.
• Practice operation of the tractor and machine
combination.
- Take sufficient time to become completely familiar with
all controls, particularly those required to bring both
tractor and machine to an emergency stop if so
required.
- Progressslowlyinitially and checkstability, steering and
braking are satisfactory.
• Ensure the work area is clear, especially of children or
animals.
• Inspect the work area for hidden obstructions which may
constitute a hazard.
DURING OPERATION
• Ensure the work area is clear, especially of children or
animals.
• Do not attempt to start the tractor or engage the PTO
until correctly seated in the driver’s seat.
• Never leave the tractor running unattended.
• Donot allowpassengers on themachine. [Oronthe trac-
tor unless approved seating is available.]
• Never attempt to make adjustments or perform
maintenance functions while the machine is operating.
• Observe all safe driving procedures:
- Reduce speed when working on sloping ground or
during sharp turns.
- Donotattempt to workonsteeplysloping ground where
there is a risk of the tractor overturning.
- Do not attempt to work near the edge of drop-offs or
banks.
- Avoid sudden starts and stops.
• After striking an obstacle, stop the tractor and implement
and inspect it for damage. Repair as necessary before
continuing.
• Disengage the PTO when transporting the implement or
when not in use.
• When halting operation, even temporarily, lower the
machine to the ground, stop the tractor, apply the park
brake and remove the key.
• Allow the machine sufficient time to cool down before
performing any maintenance, or changing gears in the
Selectaspeed gearbox. [Oil and other transmission
components may be hot enough to inflict burns.]
• Note:
- By virtue of its mode of operation it is not possible to
totally enclose a machine with guards.
- Contact with the blades while operating can result in
severe injury or death.
- Do not allow anybody (operators, maintenance
personnel,bystandersor especiallychildren) anywhere
nearthe blades whilsttheimplement is operating. Note
that children will often be attracted to placing objects
into the blades if you leave it running - this machine is
not a toy.
- Be aware that machine blades will not only cut, but
drag limbs etc. into further danger.
- Ensurethat allshielding isin placebefore operating. If
guardsareremoved formaintenance work,ensurethey
are replaced correctly upon completion. Repair or
replace any damaged guards.
- NEVER place hands or feet under the machine, nor
endeavour to make any repairs or adjustments while
the blades are rotating; they are capable of inflicting
serious injury.
- NEVERtouchthe bladesor attempttofree any jammed
obstacle while the tractor engine is running.The clutch
may be slipping and removal of any obstruction may
allow the blades to rotate, the result possibly being
serious injury.

ST 400
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ENGLISH
FOLLOWING OPERATION
• Visually inspect the machine and check:
- All bolts are tight.
- That no components are excessively worn, cracked,
damaged or otherwise defective.
• Note and organise any maintenance required.
• Allow the machine sufficient time to cool down before
performing any maintenance. The gearboxes, lubricant
and other transmission components may be hot enough
to inflict burns.
• Referto TRANSPORT SAFETYand STORAGESAFETY
for issues related to travel to/from operation and
disconnection of the machine from the tractor.
STORAGE SAFETY
• Whenunhitchingthe machine andbeforeleavingthe trac-
tor to disconnect the universal drive shaft and remove
hitch pins:
- Check that the PTO drive has been disengaged.
- Stop the tractor, apply the park brake and remove the
key.
• Store the machine away from human activity and in par-
ticulardo notpermit children toplay around,oron, stored
equipment.
• Store the machine in a dry level area and ensure
parkstands and wheels/roller are securely positioned to
preventittipping, fallingoverorrolling ontoanypersonnel
(particularly children).
MAINTENANCE SAFETY
• Maintain the machine as detailed in the given schedule
and check for any damage after use. Poor maintenance
is an invitation to trouble.
• Ensure that all shielding is correctly in place when
maintenance is completed. Repair or replace any
damaged guards. Warning or instruction decals are to
be kept in a readable condition; unreadable decals must
be replaced.
• NEVER place hands or feet under the machine nor
endeavourto makeany repairs oradjustments, whilethe
blades are rotating; they are capable of inflicting serious
injury.
• If working on the implement whilst it is raised on the
tractor’s three-point linkage, ensure:
- That the tractor is turned off and the ignition key is re-
moved to prevent accidental starting.
- The park brake is engaged and the wheels chocked to
prevent the tractor moving.
- The PTO drive is disengaged.
- Themachine is properlysupportedby blocks orstands.
DO NOT rely on the tractor’s hydraulic system to
support the implement.
• Modificationsorfitmentof non genuinereplacementparts.
- If the equipment is modified in any way from the origi-
naldesign, themanufacturerwill notacceptany liability
for any injury or warranty as a result of their use or
attempted fitment.
• Fasteners.
- Fit only the correct replacement fasteners and tighten
fasteners to the torque specified in the manual.
Incorrect(tooweak) fastenersmaybreakwhen torqued
to the required setting or, if too strong, may induce
failures in other components.
• Followsafe workshoppracticesduring anymaintenance:
- Keep working area clean, dry and in particular free of
oil spills.
- Ensure the workshop is adequately ventilated. Do not
run the tractor engine inside a closed building. The
exhaustfumescan reducemental alertnessinitiallyand
will progressively cause death by asphyxiation.
- Use tools, lifting or jacking equipment suitably capable
of the intended task.
- Ensure electrical equipment is safe to use before
operating.
- A fire extinguisher and first aid kit should be readily
accessible during maintenance.
- Tools, parts and other service equipment must be re-
movedto appropriate storagelocationsprior toanytest
running.
- Do not wear baggy, ill-fitting or frayed clothing when
working around transmission components.
- Wear suitable gloves when handling or working with
sharpened cutting elements.
- Ensure bystanders, especially small children, are kept
clear during maintenance or while making any
adjustments.
• Hydraulic fluid can be dangerous.
- When disconnecting any hydraulic fluid line, shut off
thehydraulic supply andrelievethe hydraulicpressure.
- Never use hands to locate hydraulic fluid leaks.
Escaping hydraulic fluid is capable of cutting and
penetrating skin. Use a small piece of cardboard or
wood.
- Minor cuts are susceptible to infection from hydraulic
fluid. Gangrene can result. If injured by escaping
hydraulic fluid or you suspect you have been infected,
seek medical treatment immediately.
TRANSPORT SAFETY
• When transporting the implement on a tractor on public
roads ensure that you comply with the relevant
regulations.
- Class of roads permitted for travel may be restricted.
- Transport may restricted to daylight or, off peak traffic
hours.
- Signs indicating width may be required.
- Lights indicating vehicle width if transported within the
hours of darkness may be required.
Ifindoubt,contact your governmentdepartmentresponsible
for road transport.
• Secure the machine for transport.
- Disengage the PTO when transporting.
- Ensure all hitch pins are correctly fitted with retaining
pins.
- Mechanically secure hydraulic cylinders to prevent
cylinders creeping.
• Observe the tractor manufacturers regulations and
recommendations - specifically those relating to:
- Maximum transport loads.
- Maximum speed.
• Passengers