Roto-Mix VX425 Guide

1
VERTICAL XPRESS
VX425
OPERATION MANUAL
PARTS MANUAL
ROTO-MIX
P.O. BOX 1724
2205 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd.
Dodge City, Kansas 67801
[phone]
SERIAL NUMBER_________________
441930 08/2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
WARRANTY ...................................................................................................................... 3
OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS................................................................................... 4
SAFETY ............................................................................................................................ 5-16
LOADING INSTRUCTIONS .......................................................................................... 17
LUBRICATION ................................................................................................................ 19
MAINTENANCE & LUBRICATION ............................................................................ 18
REPAIR PARTS CONTENT PAGE .............................................................................. 19
PUBLISHED 1-03

Warranty Statement WS-0716
ROTO-MIX LLC warrants to the original purchaser all products manufactured by it to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and
service.
ROTO-MIX’s obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing, as the company may elect, free of charge and without charge for installation, at
the place of business of a dealer or distributor authorized to handle the equipment covered by this warranty or at a ROTO-MIX facility, any parts that prove, in
the company’s judgment, to be defective in material or workmanship within one (1) year after delivery to the original purchaser, and still owned by the original
purchaser. This warranty shall in no way make ROTO-MIX liable to anyone for personal injuries or damages, loss of time, or expense of any kind either direct or
indirect resulting from part failure or defect. This warranty is subject to acts of God, fire and existing conditions of supply and demand, or production, or ability
or inability to deliver, or for any other valid reason beyond the reasonable control of ROTO-MIX, to obtain materials, manufactured replacement parts, or make
delivery thereof. No distributor, dealer, agent, or ROTO-MIX employee (other than the CEO or President in writing) is authorized to extend any other or further
express or implied warranty or incur any additional obligation on ROTO-MIX’s behalf in connection with the sale of this product.
If ROTO─MIX, or its duly authorized representative, shall find that such returned part or parts are defective and such defects, or defect, are included in and
covered by said warranty, then such defective part or parts shall promptly be replaced without charge to the purchaser, F.O.B. the ROTO─MIX plant.
Product Registration - It is a condition of this warranty that the original purchaser must fill out the warranty card furnished by ROTO-MIX and that it be returned
to ROTO-MIX within 10 days of purchase and be recorded in ROTO-MIX’s owner file for this warranty to be valid. In the event an owner’s card is not on file at the
ROTO-MIX office, the warranty period will extend only from date equipment was picked up or shipped from the ROTO-MIX plant.
Maintenance - It is the customer’s responsibility to maintain their equipment in accordance with the instructions provided in the Operator’s Manual. ROTO-MIX
recommends that you keep records and receipts; you may be asked to prove that maintenance instructions have been followed.
Operation –It is the customer’s responsibility to operate the equipment only for the purpose for which it was designed and in accordance with all safety and
operational recommendations contained in the Operators Manual. If a defect in materials or workmanship occurs, it is the customer’s responsibility to cease
operating the equipment until authorized repairs are made. Damage, which occurs from continued operation, may not be covered by this warranty.
What this Warranty Covers
This warranty covers failures caused by defects in materials or workmanship only.
This Warranty does not cover failures caused by:
This Warranty does not cover replacement of Wear or Maintenance Items including, but not limited to.
This Warranty does not cover:
-Pickup and delivery of the equipment
-Service Calls or Travel Time to and from sites
-Rental of replacement equipment during repair period
-Products that have been declared a total loss and subsequently salvaged
-Overtime labor charges
-ROTO-MIX is not responsible and will not be liable for damage caused to persons or property, commercial loss, loss of time or production, loss of use by reason
of the installation or use of ROTO-MIX products or their mechanical failure.
Right to Make Changes
ROTO-MIX reserves the right to make any changes to a ROTO-MIX product at any time without incurring any obligation with respect to any product previously
ordered, sold or shipped, with or without notice.
Parts Warranty
ROTO-MIX warranties replacement parts against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 90 days or the remainder of the product warranty,
whichever is longer. Remedy for defective replacement parts for units that are beyond the original product warranty, will be limited to replacement of the failed
part. Failures that are due to damage, improper installation, lack of maintenance or improper operation will not be covered.
ROTO-MIX 2205 East Wyatt Earp Blvd., Dodge City, KS 67801 [phone] Fax: [phone]
 Improper operation
 Natural calamities
 Unauthorized modifications
 Unauthorized repairs
 Use of Non ROTO-MIX parts
 Neglected maintenance
 The use of PTO Shaft Adaptors
 Usage contrary to the intended purpose of
the product
 lubricants
 Filters
 Hoses
 Tires
 Augers
 Wipers
 Chains
 Idlers
 Batteries
 Blades
 Belts
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Operation Of this mixer/feeder shall be limited to competent and experienced persons. In
addition, anyone who will operate or work around a mixer/feeder must use good common sense. In
order to be qualified, he or she must also know and meet all other qualifications, such as:
1. Some regulations specify that no one under the age of sixteen (16) may operate power
machinery. It is your responsibility to know what these regulations are in your area and/
or situation.
2. Current OSHA regulations state in part: At the time of initial assignment and at least
annually thereafter, the employer shall instruct EVERY employee in the safe operation
and servicing of all equipment with which the employee is, or will be involved.
3. Unqualified persons are to STAY OUT OF THE WORK AREA.
4. A person who has not read and understood all operating and safety instructions is not
qualified to operate the machinery.
FAILURE TO READ THIS MIXER/FEEDER MANUAL AND ITS SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS IS A MISUSE OF THE EQUIPMENT.
OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED

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SAFETY
TAKE NOTE! THIS SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL FOUND THROUGHOUT THIS MANUAL IS
USED TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO INSTRUCTIONS INVOLVING YOUR PERSONAL
SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS
CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
THIS SYMBOL MEANS
-ATTENTION!
-BECOME ALERT!
-YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
SIGNAL WORDS: Note the use of the signal words DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION
with the safety messages. The appropriate signal word for each has been selected using the follow-
ing guidelines:
DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in
serious injury or death. This signal word is to be limited to the most extreme situations
typically for machine components which, for functional purposes, cannot be guarded.
WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in
serious injury or death, and includes hazards that are exposed when guards are removed. It
may also be used to alert against unsafe practices.
CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, may result in
minor or moderate injury. It may also be used to alert against unsafe practices.
If you have questions not answered in this manual or require additional copies or the manual is
damaged, please contact your dealer or ROTO-MIX, 2205 E. Wyatt Earp, Dodge City, Kansas,
67801. (Telephone) 316-225-1142 (Fax) 316-225-6370

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OPERATING PRECAUTIONS & INSTRUCTIONS:
A. Check to see that no obstructions are present in the mixer prior to start up.
B. Before loading, run the mixer empty and check all operations.
C. Do not overload the mixer. Maximum load is determined by weight, not volume.
D. Be sure all shields are in place before operation.
E. Use common sense when operating.
SAFETY FIRST
REMEMBER: The careful operator is the best operator. Most accidents are caused by human error.
Certain precautions must be observed to prevent the possibility of injury or death.
DO NOT ALLOW PERSONNEL OTHER THAN THE QUALIFIED OPERATOR
NEAR THE MACHINE.
NEVER START MACHINE UNTIL ALL GUARDS AND SAFETY SHIELDS ARE
IN PLACE.
DO NOT CLEAN, ADJUST OR LUBRICATE THE MACHINE WHILE IT IS IN
MOTION.
BEFORE STARTING TRACTOR ENGINE, BE SURE PTO SHIELDS TURN
FREELY.
LOOSE OR FLOPPY CLOTHING SHOULD NOT BE WORN BY THE
OPERATOR.

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EQUIPMENT SAFETY GUIDELINES
Safety of the operator is one of the main concerns in designing and developing a new
piece of equipment. Designers and manufactures build in as many safety features as
possible. However, every year many accidents occur which could have been avoided by
a few seconds of thought and a more careful approach to handling equipment. You, the
operator, can avoid many accidents by observing the following precautions in this
section. To avoid personal injury, study the following precautions and insist those
working with you, or for you, follow them.
In order to provide a better view, certain photographs or illustrations in this manual may
show an assembly with a safety shield removed. However, equipment should never be
operated in this condition. Keep all shields in place. If shield removal becomes
necessary for repairs, replace the shield prior to use.
Replace any CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER or instruction safety decal that is not
readable or is missing. Location of such decals are indicated in this manual.
Do not attempt to operate this equipment under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Review the safety instructions with all users annually.
This equipment is dangerous to children and persons unfamiliar with its operation. The
operator should be a responsible adult familiar with farm machinery and trained in this
equipment’s operations. Do not allow persons to operate or assemble this unit until they
have read this manual and have developed a thorough understanding of the safety
precautions and of how it works.
To prevent injury or death, use a tractor equipped with a Roll Over Protective System
(ROPS). Do not paint over, remove or deface any safety signs or warning decals on
your equipment. Observe all safety signs and practice the instructions on them.
Never exceed the limits of a piece of machinery, in its ability to do a job, or to do so
safely, if in question - DON’T TRY IT.
LIGHTING AND MARKING
It is the responsibility of the customer to know the lighting and marking requirements of
the local highway authorities and to install and maintain the equipment to provide
compliance with the regulations. Add extra lights when transporting at night or during
periods of limited visibility.
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED

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KEEP ALL SHIELDS IN PLACE
Do not operate mixer/feeder without safety shields in place.
Rotating parts can crush or dismember causing personal injury or
death.
Disconnect PTO driveline before removing shields for adjustment
or service.
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED
KEEP RIDERS OFF MIXER/FEEDER
Keep riders off.
Riders are subject to injury such as being struck by foreign
objects and being thrown off. Riders also obstruct the
operator’s view resulting in the machine being operated in an
unsafe manner.
OPERATE MIXER/FEEDER SAFELY
Rotating parts can entangle or strike people, resulting in personal
injury or death.
Never enter a mixer/feeder while in operation.
Operate the mixer/feeder from the operator’s seat only.
Do not exceed load capacity of the mixer/feeder. (See loading
instructions).
Reduce speed when turning or traveling on rough terrain.
Avoid traveling over loose fill, rocks, ditches or holes.
Keep transmissions in gear when traveling downhill.

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STAY CLEAR OF ROTATING DRIVELINES
Entanglement in rotating driveline can cause serious injury or
death.
Keep tractor master shield and driveline shields in place at all
times. Make sure rotating shields turn freely.
Wear close fitting clothing. Stop the engine and be sure PTO
driveline is stopped before making adjustments, connections, or
cleaning out PTO driven equipment .
PREVENT BATTERY EXPLOSIONS
Keep sparks, lighted matches, and open flame away from the top
of battery. Battery gas can explode.
Never check battery charge by placing a metal object across the
posts. Use a volt-meter or hydrometer.
Do not charge a frozen battery; it may explode. Warm battery to
16C (60F)
AVOID HIGH-PRESSURE FLUIDS
Escaping fluid under pressure can penetrate the skin causing seri-
ous injury or death.
Avoid the hazard, relieve pressure before disconnecting hydraulic
or other lines. Tighten all connections before applying pressure.
Search for leaks with a piece of cardboard. Protect hands and
body from high pressure fluids.
If an accident occurs, see a doctor immediately. Any fluid in-
jected into the skin must be surgically removed within a few hours
or gangrene may result. Doctors unfamiliar with this type of in-
jury should reference a knowledgeable medical source.
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED

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SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED
PREPARING TRACTOR FOR TRAILER MIXER
POSITIONING DRAWBAR
IMPORTANT: Drive components can be damaged from
excessive speed. Do not operate tractor at
speeds in excess of recommended PT0
rpm .
This feed mixer is equipped with a 540 RPM driveline.
Match tractor PTO with the feed mixer driveline.
IMPORTANT: To prevent driveline damage, adjust tractor
drawbar to recommended setting. Disengage
tractor PTO before turning.
Remove clevis if equipped. Turn offset drawbar down.
Adjust drawbar length:
PTO SPEED DIMENSION (A)
540 RPM 16 inches (406 mm)

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SAFETY DECAL CARE
Keep safety decals and signs clean and legible at all times.
Replace safety decals and signs that are missing or have become illegible.
Replaced parts that displayed a safety sign should also display the current sign.
Safety decals or signs are available from your dealer or the ROTO-MIX manufacturing
plant.
How to Install Safety Decals:
Be sure that the installation area is clean and dry.
Decide on the exact position before you remove the backing paper.
Remove the smallest portion of the split backing paper.
Align the decal over the specified area and carefully press the small portion with the
exposed sticky backing in place.
Slowly peel back the remaining paper and carefully smooth the remaining portion of the
decal in place.
Small air pockets can be pierced with a pin and smoothed out using the piece of decal
backing paper.
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED

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REMEMBER
Your best assurance against accidents is a careful and responsible operator. If
there is any portion of this manual or function you do not understand, contact your
dealer or the ROTO-MIX plant.
BEFORE OPERATION:
Carefully study and understand this manual.
Do not wear loose-fitting clothing which may catch in moving parts.
Always wear protective clothing and substantial shoes.
Keep wheel lug nuts or bolts tightened to specified torque.
Assure that agricultural implement tires are inflated evenly.
Give the unit a visual inspection for any loose bolts, worn parts or cracked welds, and
make necessary repairs. Follow the maintenance safety instructions included in this
manual.
Be sure that there are no tools lying on or in the mixer/feeder.
Do not use the unit until you are sure that the area is clear, especially children and ani-
mals.
Because it is possible that this mixer/feeder may be used in dry areas or the presence of
combustibles, special precautions should be taken to prevent fires and fire fighting
equipment should be readily available.
Don’t hurry the learning process or take the unit for granted. Ease into it and become
familiar with your new mixer/feeder.
Practice operation of your mixer/feeder and its attachments. Completely familiarize
yourself and other operators with its operation before using.
Securely attach to towing unit. Use a high strength, appropriately sized hitch pin with a
mechanical retainer.
Do not allow anyone to stand between the tongue or hitch and the towing vehicle when
backing up to the mixer/feeder.
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED

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DURING OPERATION:
Beware of bystanders, particularly children! Always look around to make sure that it
is safe to start the engine of the towing vehicle or move the unit. This is particularly
important with higher noise levels and quiet cabs, as you may not hear people shouting.
NO PASSENGERS ALLOWED - Do not carry passengers anywhere on, or in, the
tractor or equipment, except as required for operation.
Keep hands and clothing clear of moving parts.
Do not clean, lubricate or adjust your mixer/feeder while it is moving.
Be especially observant of the operating area and terrain - watch for holes, rocks or
other hidden hazards. Always inspect the area prior to operation.
Do not operate near the edge of drop-offs or banks.
Do not operate on steep slopes as overturn may result.
Operate up and down (not across) intermediate slopes. Avoid sudden starts and
stops.
Pick the levelest possible route when transporting across fields. Avoid the edges of
ditches or gullies and steep hillsides.
Be extra careful when working on inclines.
Periodically clear the equipment of brush, twigs or other materials to prevent buildup of
dry combustible materials.
Maneuver the tractor or towing vehicle at safe speeds.
Avoid overhead wires or other obstacles. Contact with overhead lines could cause
serious injury or death.
Avoid loose fill, rocks and holes; they can be dangerous for equipment operation or
movement. Allow for unit length when making turns.
Do not walk or work under raised components or attachments unless securely positioned
and blocked.
Keep all bystanders, pets and livestock clear of the work area.
Operate the towing vehicle from the operator’s seat only.
Never stand alongside of the unit with engine running. Never attempt to start engine
and/or operate machine while standing alongside of unit.
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED

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DURING OPERATION (CONT.)
Never leave running mixer/feeder unattended.
As a precaution, always recheck the hardware on mixer/feeder following every 100
hours of operation. Correct all problems. Follow the maintenance safety procedures.
FOLLOWING OPERATION:
Following operation, or when unhitching, stop the tractor or towing vehicle, set the
brakes, disengage the PTO and all power drives, shut off the engine and remove the
ignition keys.
Store the unit in an area away from human activity.
Do not park equipment where it will be exposed to livestock for long periods of time.
Damage and livestock injury could result.
Do not permit children to play on or around the stored unit.
Make sure parked machine is on a hard, level surface and engage all safety devices.
Wheel chocks may be needed to prevent unit from rolling.
HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT OPERATIONS:
Adopt safe driving practices:
Keep the brake pedals latched together at all times. Never use independent
braking with machine in tow as loss of control and/or upset of unit can result.
Always drive at a safe speed relative to local conditions and ensure that your speed
is low enough for an emergency stop to be safe and secure. Keep speed to a
minimum.
Reduce speed prior to turns to avoid the risk of overturning.
Avoid sudden uphill turns on steep slopes.
Always keep the tractor or towing vehicle in gear to provide engine braking when
going downhill. Do not coast.
Do not drink and drive.
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED

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HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT OPERATIONS (CONT.):
Comply with state and local laws governing highway safety and movement of farm
machinery on public roads.
Use approved accessory lighting, flags and necessary warning devices to protect
operators of other vehicles on the highway during daylight and nighttime transport.
The use of flashing amber lights is acceptable in most localities. However, some
localities prohibit their use. Local laws should be checked for all highway lighting and
marking requirements.
When driving the tractor and mixer/feeder on the road or highway under 20 MPH (40
KPH) at night or during the day, use flashing amber warning lights and a slow moving
vehicle (SMV) identification emblem.
Plan your route to avoid heavy traffic.
Be a safe courteous driver. Always yield to oncoming traffic in all situations, including
narrow bridges, intersections, etc.
Be observant of bridge loading ratings. Do not cross bridges rated lower than the gross
weight at which you are operating.
Watch for obstructions overhead and to the side while transporting.
Always operate mixer/feeder in a position to provide maximum visibility at all times.
Make allowances for increased length and weight of the mixer/feeder when making
turns, stopping the unit, etc.
PERFORMING MAINTENANCE:
Good maintenance is your responsibility. Poor maintenance is an invitation to trouble.
Make sure there is plenty of ventilation. Never operate the engine of the towing vehicle
in a closed building. The exhaust fumes may cause asphyxiation.
Before working on the mixer/feeder, stop the towing vehicle, set the brakes, disengage
the PTO and all power drives, shut off the engine and remove the ignition keys.
Be certain all moving parts on attachments have come to a complete stop before
attempting to perform maintenance.
Always use a safety support and block the wheels. Never use a jack to support the
machine.
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED

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PERFORMING MAINTENANCE (CONT.):
Always use the proper tools or equipment for the job at hand.
Use extreme caution when making adjustments.
Never use your hands to locate hydraulic leaks on attachments. Use a small piece of
cardboard or wood. Hydraulic fluid escaping under pressure can penetrate the skin.
When disconnecting hydraulic lines, shut off hydraulic supply and relieve all hydraulic
pressure.
Openings in the skin and minor cuts are susceptible to infection from hydraulic fluid. If
injured by escaping hydraulic fluid, see a doctor at once. Gangrene can result. Without
immediate treatment, serious infection and reactions can occur.
Replace all shields and guards after servicing and before moving.
After servicing, be sure all tools, parts and service equipment are removed.
Do not allow grease or oil to build up on any step or platform.
Never replace hex bolts with less than grade five (5) bolts unless otherwise specified.
Where replacement parts are necessary for periodic maintenance and servicing, genuine
factory replacement parts must be used to restore your equipment to original specifica-
tions. ROTO-MIX will not claim responsibility for use of unapproved parts and/or
accessories and other damages as a result of their use.
If equipment has been altered in any way from original design, ROTO-MIX does not
accept any liability for injury or warranty.
A fire extinguisher and first aid kit should be kept readily accessible while performing
maintenance on this mixer/feeder.
SAFETY
READ BEFORE
YOU FEED
READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE WELDING ON THIS MIXER
When welding on your mixer/feeder, do not allow the current to flow through the ball bearings or the
roller chains. Ground directly to the item being welded.
Always disconnect the scale instrumentation from the weigh bars or load cells and the power source.
Be sure the current does not pass through weigh bars or load cells or scale indicator. The alternator
should always be disconnected if the mixer/feeder is not disconnected from the towing vehicle.

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LOADING INSTRUCTIONS & PRECAUTIONS
A. Visually inspect mixer before each load.
B. Do not overload the mixer. Mixer capacity is determined by weight. An overloaded mixer will
not mix correctly, and will pull harder, which could damage your tractor.
C. Load hay first with machine running: TRACTOR RPM SPEED.
D. Add balance of grain and/or commodities, keeping more fragile ingredients toward the end of the
loading sequence as possible.
E. Load silage, green chop and/or other high moisture products.
F. Load molasses, animal fat, and/or other liquid supplements last.
G. Allow mixer three to four minutes to complete mixing after last ingredient is added. (NOTE: this
time will vary, and could be longer under certain conditions.)
H. For best results, off load mixed feed at as high a RPM as possible, and with the door as open as
possible. The last half must fed off at high RPM, to ensure even feed flow and clean out.
HAY PREPARATION:
1. SMALL BALES-(60 to 150 lbs., 2 or 3 wire)
A. Remove twine or wire from bales.
B. Load bales in mixer.
2. LARGE SQUARE BALES-(3’ x 4’ x 8’ or 4’ x
4’ x 8’)
A. Remove twine or wrapping.
B. Load bale in mixer.
3. ROUND BALES
A. Remove twine or wrapping.
B. Load bale in mixer.

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REPAIR PARTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
MIXER DRIVE COMPONENTS ................................................................................... 20
FRAME & RELATED PARTS ...................................................................................... 22
SCALE COMPONENTS.................................................................................................. 24
DISCHARGE DOOR HYDRAULICS ........................................................................... 25
TUB & AUGER ASSEMBLY .......................................................................................... 26

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