Kuhns mfg Tie Grabber Series User manual

Read and Understand the manual. This manual provides information and
procedures to safely operate and maintain the KN Series Tie Grabbers.
Tie Grabber Series
Operator’s Manual for the Kuhns Mfg LLC Tie Grabber Series
KUHNS MFG LLC
Owner’s Manual
MADE IN THE USA

Tie Grabber 1 Kuhns Manufacturing (877-296-5851)
Contents
SAFETY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Safety Alert Symbols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Safety Icons Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
General Operating Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Safety Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Practice Safe Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
TIE GRABBER ATTACHMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Mounting onto Front End Loader or Skid Steer Loader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Hydraulic Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Hydraulic Block Port Identifi cation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
(Version 1 Manifold) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
(Version 2 Manifold) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Connecting Hoses to Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Conventional Method (Four Ports) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Optional Method (Splitter Attachment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
THREADING TWINE INTO THE TWINE ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Tie Grabber Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Operation Using Optional Hydraulic Splitter Valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Knotter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Flow Control Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Setting Early Versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Setting Current Versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Setting Priority Valve (early versions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Sequence Valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Setting Early Version Sequence Valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Setting Current Version Sequence Valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Twine Arm Drive Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Knotter Drive Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Twine Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Twine Tensioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Knotter Stop Plate Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Needle Position Within the Knotter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Twine Arm Stop Bumper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Tucker Finger Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Accessing Knotter Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Bill Hook Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Twine Disc Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Twine Clamping Force. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Knife Arm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Stripping Arm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Cam Gear Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Kuhns Manufacturing (877-296-5851) 2 Tie Grabber
LUBRICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Main Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Knotter Lubrication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
STORAGE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
MANIFOLD HOSE AND VALVE LOCATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
TROUBLESHOOTING VALVE SETTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
PARTS SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Ordering Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Tie Grabber Frame and Squeeze Arm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Bale Hook Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Twine Arm and Motor Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Knotter Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Hose Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Tie Grabber 3 Kuhns Manufacturing (877-296-5851)
Safety
General
Most work related accidents are caused by failure to
observe basic safety rules or precautions. An accident
can often be avoided by recognizing potentially
hazardous situations before an accident occurs. As you
operate and maintain the Tie Grabber you must be alert
to potential hazards. You should also have the necessary
training, skills, and tools to perform any assembly
procedure.
Improper operation and/or maintenance of this unit
could cause a dangerous situation that results in
injury or death.
Do not use this unit until you read and understand
the information contained in this manual. Do not use
the Tie Grabber for anything other than its intended
purpose.
WARNING
Do not use the unit until you read and understand
the information contained in this manual.
Safety precautions and warnings are provided
in this manual and on the unit. If these hazard
warnings are not heeded, bodily injury or death
could occur to you or to other persons.
Kuhns Manufacturing cannot anticipate every
possible circumstance that might involve a potential
hazard. The warnings in this manual and on the
product are, therefore, not all-inclusive. If a method
of operation not specifically recommended by us
is used, you must satisfy yourself that it is safe for
you and for others. You should also ensure that the
unit will not be damaged or be made unsafe by the
methods that you choose.
The information, specifi cations, and illustrations in this
manual are based on the information that was available at
the time this material was written and can change at any
time.
Safety Alert Symbols
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to
alert you to potential personal injury hazards.
Obey all safety messages that follow this
symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
This manual contains DANGERS, WARNINGS,
CAUTIONS, IMPORTANT NOTICES, and NOTES which
must be followed to prevent the possibility of improper
service, damage to the equipment, personal injury, or
death. The following key words call the readers attention
to potential hazards.
Hazards are identifi ed by the “Safety Alert Symbol”
and followed by a signal word such as “DANGER”,
“WARNING”, or “CAUTION”.
DANGER
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. This
signal word is limited to the most extreme situations.
WARNING
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE
Indicates that equipment or property damage can result if
instructions are not followed.
SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
Safety instructions (or equivalent) signs indicate
specific safety-related instructions or procedures.
Note: Contains additional information important to a
procedure.

Kuhns Manufacturing (877-296-5851) 4 Tie Grabber
Safety Icons Nomenclature
This manual and the equipment has numerous
safety icons. These safety icons provide important
operating instructions which alert you to potential
personal injury hazards
Read the manual
Maintenance procedure
Eye protection
Hand protection
Inspect equipment
Do not weld
Use proper tools
N
I
NG
AR
Warning decal alert
Stop machine engine
Check/Maintain Fluid Levels
Place in neutral
Remove key
STOP Stop engine
Set parking brake
No riders
No children
Crushing hazard
Crushing hazard
Falling hazard
Fire hazard
Hot surface
Safety alert symbol
Sharp object hazard
0Zero pressure
Entanglement hazard
Defective or broken part
Maintain safe distance
Pinch point hazard
Pinch point hazard
Pinch point hazard
Electrocution hazard
Tip over hazard

Tie Grabber 5 Kuhns Manufacturing (877-296-5851)
General Operating Safety
DANGER
Electrocution Hazard
Despite operating precautions,
equipment can come in contact with
electrical lines. It is important to know
how to handle these situations.
If the machine comes in contact with overhead power
lines, stay on the machine. Ask someone to contact
the local utility company immediately to remove the
danger. If there’s an emergency, such as an electrical
fire, and you need to leave the equipment, jump as far
away from the equipment as possible. Do not allow
any part of your body to touch the equipment and the
ground at the same time.
Once you get away from the equipment, never attempt
to get back on or even touch the equipment. Many
electrocutions occur when the operator dismounts
and, realizing nothing has happened, tries to get back
on the equipment.
WARNING
Read And Understand Manual
To prevent personal injury or even death, be
sure you read and understand all of the
instructions in this manual and other related OEM
equipment manuals! This Tie Grabber (unit) was
designed for a specific application; DO NOT modify or
use this unit for any application other than which it
was designed. Units operated improperly or by
untrained personnel can be dangerous! Inexperienced
operators should receive instruction from someone
familiar with the equipment before being allowed to
operate the unit.
Do Not Operate
Do not use the unit if it is in need of
repair. If you believe the unit has a
defect which could cause injury or death, you
should immediately stop using the unit.
Fall Hazard
Do not use the unit as a platform. Do not stand
on top of the unit at any time. Do not ride on the
unit or allow others to ride on it.
Entanglement Hazard
Keep hands, feet, clothing, jewelry, and long
hair away from any moving parts to prevent
them from getting caught.
Safety Signs
CAUTION
N
I
NG
AR Legible Safety Signs
Keep safety signs clean and legible at all times.
Replace any safety sign or instruction sign that
is missing or not legible. Refer to the Safety
Sign Location section for additional information.
Replacement parts that displayed a safety sign
should also display the current sign.
Replacement safety signs (labels) are available
from your authorized Dealer Parts Department
or the factory at no cost.
Practice Safe Maintenance
SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
Understand service procedures before doing
any work. Keep the work area clean and dry.
Keep all parts in good working condition
and properly installed. Replace worn or
broken parts immediately.
Do not modify the unit or its safety devices. Do
not weld on the unit. Unauthorized modifications
may impair its function and safety.

Kuhns Manufacturing (877-296-5851) 6 Tie Grabber
Definitions
Machine - Either a front end loader or a skid steer loader.
Unit - One of the available Tie Grabber attachments.
Specifications
The following charts provides the minimum lifting capacity
of the machine.
WARNING
Tip Over Hazard
Using an under-rated machine can cause the
machine to tip over, resulting in serious injury or
even possible death. Attach the unit only to a machine
with the proper lifting capacity.
Model Number Minimum Machine Lifting Capacity
KN618 2800 lbs. (1270 kg)
KN615 2500 lbs. (1134 kg)
KN510 2100 lbs. (950 kg)
KN612F 2300 lbs. (1040 kg)
KN510F 2200 lbs. (1000 kg)
KN410F 2100 lbs. (950 kg)
KN408F 2000 lbs. (905 kg)
Introduction
The Tie-Grabber automatically places twine
around a group of bales that are deposited by the
accumulator. Picking up a complete grouping of
eight to eighteen bales of hay at one time allows
wagons to be loaded more quickly as well as quicker
stacking in the barn.
With a completely bundled grouping of hay bales,
it also provides significant time savings as the need
for load tie-downs is diminished to almost zero.
Tie Grabber Attachment
Mounting onto Front End Loader or Skid
Steer Loader
The units come equipped with either a front end loader
mounting bracket or a skid steer mounting bracket.
Follow the OEM machine manufacturer’s
recommendations for attaching the machine to the tie
grabber attachment.
Many units have a bolt-on attachment bracket that will
allow the end user to use the same unit with various
machines. The bolt-on brackets are factory installed
according to the sales order.
Hydraulic Connections
The tie grabber requires four separate hydraulic hose
connections to operate properly.
Note: If the machine is equipped with only two hydraulic
connections, a hydraulic splitter or two additional
hoses must be added to the machine. Since
there is such a wide variety of machines on
the market today, contact the machine’s OEM
for recommendations on adding the additional
hydraulic capability.
Hydraulic Block Port Identification
(Version 1 Manifold)
The four hydraulic ports are:
Port 1 — Used to release or raise the bale hooks and
open the squeeze arm.
Port 2 — Used to close the squeeze arm and set or lower
the bale hooks.
Port 3 — Used to return the twine arm to its retracted
position.
Port 4 — Used to extend the twine arm around the bales
and rotate the knotter.

Tie Grabber 7 Kuhns Manufacturing (877-296-5851)
(Version 2 Manifold)
The four hydraulic ports are:
Port 1 — Used to release or raise the bale hooks and
open the squeeze arm.
Port 2 — Used to close the squeeze arm and set or lower
the bale hooks.
Port 3 — Used to return the twine arm to its retracted
position.
Port 4 — Used to extend the twine arm around the bales
and rotate the knotter.
Connecting Hoses to Machine
Conventional Method (Four Ports)
Connect hoses (1) and (2) into one circuit on the
machine. Connect hoses (3) and (4) into a second circuit
on the machine. If four ports are not available on the
machine, an optional splitter valve kit is available.
Version 1 Manifold
Version 2 Manifold
The connection of the hoses to the machine dictates
the operation of the unit. For example, if the twine arm
moves forward when the machine’s control is pulled back,
reversing the hoses will make the twine arm operate in
reverse.
Note: The operating controls should be set to the end
users preference.
NOTICE
Check the machine’s hydraulic reservoir, after
connecting and cycling the unit, for proper fluid
level. Operating the machine without the proper
oil level can cause machine damage.

Kuhns Manufacturing (877-296-5851) 8 Tie Grabber
Optional Method (Splitter Attachment)
The optional splitter valve kit allows the tie grabber to
operate using the two standard attachment ports found on
most machines. The optional valve allows the operator to
divert oil fl ow from the squeeze arm and bale hook circuit
to the swing arm and knotter circuit by simply pushing
and holding a button.
1. Connect two valves (5) into the hydraulic circuit ports.
Note: Valves (5) are stamped with a number 1 and
number 2 on the face of the valve for each port.
To function properly, connect the inlet and outlet
of one circuit into the same port. For example the
hoses from one circuit are connected to Ports 1 of
each valve.
Note: Connect hoses (1) and (2) to Ports 1 on the valve.
Connect hoses (3) and (4) to Ports 2 on the valve.
Without pushing the button, the squeeze arm close
and twine arm extends should function. When
the button is pushed and held, the twine arm will
retract and the squeeze arm will open.
2. Connect the outlet (1) and inlet (2) hoses for the
squeeze arm and bale hook circuit to the splitter valve
ports marked number 1. Connect the outlet (3) and
inlet (4) hoses for the swing arm and knotter circuit to
to the splitter valve ports marked number 2.
Version 1 Manifold
Version 2 Manifold