Optimal 1700 User manual

M A N U A L
O N
TREE SPADE OPTIMAL 1700
Manufacturer: Distributor:
Optimal-Vertrieb Opitz GmbH Fieldworks Nursery Equipment
Eysoelden M 41 5191 Dawes Rd
91177 Thalmaessing Grand Bay AL 36541
Germany U.S.A.
Phone: ++ 49 - 9173 - 79 18 0 Phone: [phone]
Fax: ++ 49 - 9173 - 79 18 49 Email: [e-mail]
eMail: [e-mail] Email: [e-mail]
web: www.opitz-optimal.com Web: www.OptimalTreeSpades.com
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C O N T E N T S
Page
Safety Warnings 3
1. Operating Specifications 4
2. Assembly 5
3. Putting into Service 6
4. Operating Instructions 7 - 9
5. Care and Maintenance 10 - 12
6. Appendix
6.1 Attachment Points 13
6.2 Wiring diagram for Control Box 14
6.3 Wiring Diagram for Control System 15
6.4 Hydraulic systems 16
6.5 Lubrication chart 17
7. Trouble Shooting 18 -19
8. Warranty 20
9. Spare Parts List with Drawings 21 - 42
9.1 basic machine
9.2 spades
9.3 gate lock
9.4 telescopic spade cylinder
9.5 gate cylinder
9.6 gate lock cylinder
9.7 hydraulic system
9.8 electric controls

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WARNING Operator must have read and understood instructions
before running the tree spade.
Untrained operators can cause injury or death.
Safety Alert Symbol: This symbol is used for important safety messages.
When you see this symbol, follow the message to
avoid personal injury or death.
Never use tree spade without instructions. See machine signs (decals), and Operation & Maintenance
Manual of tree spade. The operation instructions for power unit must be followed.
Before starting operations, bolts and hydraulic fittings must be checked to make sure they are free of damage
and well tightened. Defective or loose hose pipes might cause serious injuries and therefore must be
replaced immediately.
The operator is responsible for ensuring that no person is near the tree spade when in operation.
No one should be underneath the raised tree spade or near shearing and pinching areas, or near any
hydraulic components. We are advising the user that due to their functional positions and movements the
danger areas cannot be furnished with protective guards.
Keep bystanders well away from work area.
Do not perform any manual work on the tree or shrub when it is inside the tree spade. In particular, do not
check the position of the tree or shrub by hand or feet when it is inside the tree spade. Do not tie the tree or
shrub when it is near or inside the machine.
When sight is limited, an assistant should direct the operator by hand signals.
When driving, the tree spade should be in the lowest possible position.
When moving and working on public roads, the traffic rules and regulations must be adhered to.
Never leave power unit with engine running or with lift arms up.
To park, engage parking brake and put tree spade flat on the ground.
When doing cleaning, maintenance or repair work, lower the tree spade to the ground
and stop the engine of the power unit.
Never modify equipment. Use only original spare parts approved by manufacturer for
this particular model tree spade.
When digging, it might happen that a stone gets caught between two blades and the blades get bent. This
causes tremendous tension in the steel blade. Do not try to release the stone by means of a crow bar or
other tools. Place the digging head again into the planting hole and retract the blades. Thereby the stone will
come loose and the blades which got a high degree of bending strength will regain their former shape. After
that the root ball can be dug again.
The operator must be sure that the ground he is going to dig is free from any underground installations such
as cables, pipes or any other utilities or dangerous matter. Damaging such underground installations or
matter is dangerous and might result in serious injury or death.
Safety stickers have been placed on the tree spade to warn the user of possible dangers. In case a safety
sticker has been worn or destroyed, it must be replaced immediately.
Safety stickers can be ordered with your distributor or the manufacturer. For ordering please use the part
numbers listed on page 2A. Fix the stickers on the locations marked on page 2A.

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1. Tower: 4. Tower:
7. Frame:
Part N° 7118000001 Part N° 7118000004 Part N° 7118000001
Part N° 7118000005
Part N° 7118000006
Part N° 7118000008 Part N° 7118000009
Part N° 7118000086
8. Oil - Manifold:
Part N° 7118000015 Part N° 7118000016
5. Gate Cylinder: 5. Gate Cylinder:
Part N° 7118000010
Part N° 7118000007 Part N° 7118000007
2. Tower: 3. Tower:
Part N° 7118000001 Part N° 7118000001
Part N° 7118000012 Part N° 7118000014
6. Lock Cylinder:
Part N° 7118000020
Part N° 7118000017
Part N° 7118000019
Part N° 7118000018 Part N° 7118000013

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1. Operating Specifications
Description Tree Spade OPTIMAL 1700
serial number 170 ...
capacity upper root ball diameter 165 cm (65")
root ball depth 100 cm (39")
dimensions of height 208 cm (82")
basic machine width, frame closed 180 cm (71")
width, frame open 270 cm (106")
clearance between open gate 110 cm (43")
weight basic machine, empty 2220 kg (4840 lbs.)
rated type of attachment attachment by means of back plate
to loader or excavator
minimum lift capacity 6000 kg (13200 lbs.)
the power unit must be equipped with
an auxiliary double-acting hydraulic
circuit for implements:
working pressure 160 - 200 bar (2300-2900 lbs/in²)
oil flow 60 l/min. (16 GPM)
controls electro-hydraulic valves, double-acting,
for four functions actuated by control box
field of application tree nurseries; gardens; civic greens

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2. Assembly
IMPORTANT: When doing assembly work, heed relevant
instructions of manufacturers of power unit!
2.1 Back Plate
The tree spade is attached to the power unit by means of a back plate.
The back plate is procured from the manufacturer of the power unit,
or it might be fabricated according to the drawings and instructions of
the manufacturer of the power unit.
The back plate is to be furnished with borings as per drawing page 13.
At these attachment points the tree spade is bolted tightly to the back plate.
2.2 Installation of Electro-Hydraulic Control (wiring diagram page 14/15)
2.2.1 Install control box at suitable place in the cabin, e.g. at dashboard
2.2.2 Install 13-pole socket next to the push-on connector for the implement hydraulics.
A mounting bracket has been provided.
2.2.3 Run 12-pole cable from control box to 13-pole socket.
2.2.4 The control box must be connected to the power supply (12V) of the power unit.
Important: Electric power should be flowing only when the ignition of the power
unit is activated, otherwise the battery may run down.
Maximum power input 12 Ampere !
Now the tree spade is ready for operation.

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3. Putting into Service
The tree spade with the back plate is attached and secured to the power unit.
Both the hydraulic connecting hoses of the tree spade are to be connected
to the hydraulic disconnect of the auxiliary hydraulic circuit of the power unit.
The plug of the electric control cable is to be plugged into the socket on
the power unit (see section 2.2.2).
Make sure that hydraulic working pressure and oil flow of power unit meets
the requirements as laid down in the operating specifications on page 4.
IMPORTANT: The hydraulic disconnect of the tree spade and
the power unit must match and must be connected
properly. Faulty connections are extremely dangerous.
If the back-flow of the hydraulic oil is impeded, a pressure relief will divert the
excess oil into an overflow tank. Possible reasons could be ill-matching disconnects
or an excessive oil flow. In that case the oil flow must be reduced as per instruction of the
manufacturer of the power unit.
After the first working day, the screws of the tension blocks must be checked
and re-tightened, if necessary.
IMPORTANT: When operating the power unit, follow the
instructions of the operating manual of the
power unit !

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4. Operating Instructions
IMPORTANT: The Operator must be a reliable person. Before commencing
production work, he or she must study these operating instructions
thoroughly.
The following safety instructions must be observed:
It is the operator's prime duty to ensure that any persons must stay
clear off the danger area. Special care must be taken that no one is
ever under the raised tree spade, or near the potential shearing
and pinching areas, or near the opened gate, near the spades or
near any hydraulic components.
Do not perform any manual work at the tree or shrub when it is
inside the tree spade. In particular, do not check the position of the
tree or shrub by hand or feet when it is inside the tree spade. Do
not bind the tree or shrub when it is near or inside the machine.
When sight is limited, an assistant should direct the operator by
hand signals.
Before starting to work with the tree spade, make sure the
hydraulic fittings and the bolts are properly tightened and are free
from any defects.
4.1 Control Box
The work movements are controlled as follows:
Pre-Selector Manual Controls
(hydraulic)
0 : control box switched off
(LED light indicates when gate is not locked)
function 1 : gate lock unlock / lock
function 2 : gate open / close
function 3 : blades up / down
function 4 : stabilizers (optional) up / down
The control box is installed in the driver's cabin. The function required
is preset with the pre-selector of the control box, and it is then
activated by means of the manual control lever or pedal respectively.
The tree spade is equipped with individual blade control as standard,
i.e. each blade can be controlled individually with toggle switches S1,
S2; S3 and S4.
Individual blade control is of particular advantage when soil conditions Pre-Selector
are difficult.

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4.2 Operation
4.2.1 Lower the tree spade with the lift arms of the power unit until the blade points are about
20 cm (8") above the ground.
4.2.2 To open the gate, the gate lock must be unlocked first:
pre-selector: function 1, gate lock
manual control: unlock
4.2.3 Now the gate can be opened:
pre-selector: function 2, gate
manual control: open
4.2.4 With the gate wide open, the tree spade is driven towards the tree to be dug. Position the
tree into the centre of the circular frame of the tree spade, then close the gate:
pre-selector: function 2, gate
manual control: close
4.2.5 Lock the gate:
pre-selector: function 1, gate lock
manual control: lock
It is of utmost importance to lock the gate before digging. It must never be
forgotten because digging with an unlocked gate will bend the frame!
A safety switch ensures that the tree spade digs only when the gate is properly locked.
Furthermore, a red control lamp will light up to indicate that the gate is not locked.
4.2.6 When having locked the gate, the tree spade is lowered to the ground and brought into a
level position by means of the lift arms of the power unit.
Again check if the tree is positioned in the centre of the frame, and correct, if necessary.
4.2.7 In case the power unit had been furnished with rear stabilizers of its own, extend rear
stabilizers with the respective control valve of the power unit.
But in case stabilizers have been installed with the tree spade and they are controlled by
Optimal control box, extend rear stabilizers by setting
pre-selector: function 4 (optional), rear stabilizers
manual control: down
4.2.8 Now proceed with digging:
pre-selector: function 3, blades (S1-S4)
manual control: down
The blades are pressed into the soil by means of spade cylinders suspended at the
spade towers. When all four blades are activated simultaneously, only the blades which
encounter the least soil resistance are moving at a given time.
In the event the tree spade lifts from the ground, retract the blades slightly (manual
control: "up") and then dig again, or press the blades down one by one, or by opposite
pairs. In either case, the digging movements must be carried out step by step, until all
blades are completely pressed into the soil. When digging, do not rock the tree spade
forward and backward by means of the tilting cylinder of the power unit!

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4.2.9 Once all blades have been completely pressed into the soil, the tree spade with the
planting material is lifted out of the ground by means of the lift arms of the power unit.
4.2.10 The root ball is lowered by means of the lift arms of the power unit.
Then the gate is unlocked:
pre-selector: function 1, gate lock
manual control: unlock
and the gate is opened:
pre-selector: function 2, gate
manual control: open
4.2.11 The rear stabilizers are retracted with the control valve of the loader, or with the optional
function 4 (up) of the pre-selector.
4.2.12 When work has been accomplished, the pre-selector is set to 0.
Before travelling, rear stabilizers must be retracted !
IMPORTANT:When moving and working on public roads, the traffic rules
and regulations must be adhered to.
When driving, the tree spade should be in the lowest possible
position.
When digging, it might happen that a stone gets caught between
two blades and the blades get bent. This causes tremendous
tension in the steel blade. Do not try to release the stone by means
of a crow bar or other tools.
Place the digging head again into the planting hole and retract the
blades. Thereby the stone will come loose and the blades which
got a high degree of bending strength will regain their former
shape. After that the root ball can be dug again.
4.3 Releasing the Tree
When transplanting, or when placing the tree in a basket, lower the tree spade by means
of the lift arms, retract spades (function 3 “blades” , control valve “up”) then unlock gate
(function 1 "gate lock", control valve "unlock") and open gate (function 2 "gate", control
valve "open").
When the work has been finished, set the pre-selector in off-position (function 0).
If the tree spade is controlled by means of a joy stick, the hydraulics are off when no
button is being pressed.

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5. Care and Maintenance
5.1 Blade Guides
Thanks to the plastic lining the spade guides do not require lubrication.
Once the plastic lining has been worn to the point were the heads of the countersunk
screws are even with the surface of the plastic linings, they must be replaced to prevent
the screws from damaging the blades.
IMPORTANT: After the first digging day the screws (Item A, page 11) of the
tension block have to be tightened with a torque of 730 Nm
(ft.lb.538).
Make sure tension bolts at bottom of guides are always tight !
Keep the guides cleaned.
5.2 Lubrication
Once per week lubricate all greasing points with lithium-based grease,
as per lubrication chart, Page 17
5.3 Hydraulic Oil Supply
Check level of hydraulic oil regularly. For checking, retract all blades “up”
and lower the tree spade to the ground. If in that position the oil level is
below the mark of the sight glass, oil must be refilled.
5.4 Hydraulic Hoses
All hydraulic hoses must be inspected at least once per year. Damaged hoses
must be replaced. At least after 6 years all hoses must be replaced.
5.5 Cylinders
In case the tree spade is not getting used for two weeks, all piston rods of the hydraulic
cylinders must be cleaned and covered with a preserving oil film.
5.6 Safety switch
It must be ensured that the plunger and roller of the safety switch are always able to
move smoothly. Particularly after the tree spade has been idle for some period of time,
these parts tend to seize. In that case they must be cleaned and lubricated. Operating
the tree spade when the safety switch is not functioning properly may cause serious
damage

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5.7 Adjusting Blades
•Loosen bolts A (M24x50) and counter nuts
B (M20) at both sides.
•Adjust blade with nuts C (M20).
•When blade is in proper position,
tighten bolts A (M24x50) and counter nuts B (M20)
with torque 730Nm.
•In case the desired blade position cannot be reached,
check guides and plastic guides, and replace if necessary.
When they are still in good condition, probably the blade points
must be unbent.
Important: Unbend with hydraulic press in cold state.
Never heaten the blade !!!

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IMPORTANT: Tree spade must be lowered to the ground and switched
off when doing cleaning, maintenance or repair work !
Use original spare parts only !
The tree Spade must be inspected by an expert on
operational safety once per year !
Do not alter the design of the tree spade without having
consulted the manufacturer !

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6. Appendix
6. 1 Attachment points
OPTIMAL-Vertrieb Opitz GmbH
Eysölden M 41
D-91177 Thalmässing
OPTIMAL 1700
ATTACHMENT POINTS

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6.2 Wiring Diagram for Control Box

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6.3 Wiring Diagram for Control System

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6.4 Hydraulic system

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6.5 lubriction chart
-- lubricate once per week

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Trouble Shooting
1. Nothing moves. (none of the hydraulic functions works)
- Electricity supply to control box is interrupted. Check fuses at power unit.
- Hydraulic disconnect is not properly attached. Check attachment.
2. Two hydraulic functions (e.g. gate lock and spades) work at the same time.
- On one of the valves the plunger does not move.
This defect might be caused by a dirt particle. Disassemble and clean the
respective valve.
- If this does not solve the problem, the valve is damaged and must be replaced.
3. After the blades have been retracted and the valve has been relieved, they
immediately move down again.
-If the spades move down a short way only, the oil supply of the pump might be
too high.
Oil flow of power unit must be regulated by service of manufacturer.
- If the spades move down all the way, the seals in the spade cylinder might be
defect und must be replaced.
- If the spades move down all the way, the spade valve might be defect and must
be replaced.
4. The gate does not close and / or lock completely.
- The adjustment screw at the hinge wants readjustment.
Adjust adjustment screw.
- The eye joint is worn, bushes must be replaced.

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5. Although the gate has been closed and locked properly, the blades do not move
down.
- The safety switch at the lock needs readjustment.
- The electricity supply is interrupted. Check fuses at power unit.
6. The blades do not close properly although the spade cylinders are fully extended.
-Guides are worn and must be replaced.
-Blades are bent and have to be adjusted.
7. One function (any) does not work.
- The electricity supply is interrupted. Check power circuit.
- The magnet of the respective control valve is defect. Valve must be replaced.
-The plunger of the control valve is seized, probably due to a dirt particle in the
hydraulic oil. Disassemble valve and clean.