Schlagel RAPID TILL Series User manual

Operator’s Manual
For 2015 models or newer
RAPID TILL

Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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RAPID TILL
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
This manual is applicable to all models of the
Rapid Till Series Machines with
Serial Numbers from RT-0005 and up
For inquiries call or write to:
Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc.
4154 Buttermilk Road
Torrington, WY 82240
Toll Free: 888-889-1504
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.schlagel.net

Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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RESIDUE MANAGEMENT BEGINS AT HARVEST
Uniformly distributing residue behind combines and other harvest equipment is important in
residue management, according to John Smith, machinery systems engineer for
Cooperative Extension in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. "Residue remaining after harvest can
help control soil erosion and water runoff," said Smith. "However, it should be evenly
distributed over a field or it can cause problems," he added.
Some problems that may occur when the crop residue is not evenly distributed include:
1. Weed seed or grain lost through harvest equipment is concentrated and can be more
difficult to control later than uniformly distributed weeds or grains.
2. Heavy concentrations or windrows can plug tillage implements, planters, seeders or
some chemical application equipment.
3. Concentrated residue can provide a home for insects and rodents and encourage
disease.
4. Base areas between windrows are subject to erosion by wind and water.
5. Too much crop residue directly over an emerging plant can cause plant injury and
reduced yield.
6. Heavy concentrations of crop residue shield the sun from the soil surface, which may
reduce soil temperature and seedling emergence.
"Combines equipped with residue spreading accessories will provide uniform distribution,
even with 12-row crop headers or 30 foot wide grain platforms," said Smith. "High speed
straw choppers with properly adjusted deflector panels or straw spreaders can distribute
residue uniformly," he added. "Nearly half the residue which passes through a combine for
some crops is comprised of fine material or chaff falling from the chaffer," said Smith. He
recommends using a chaff spreader, particularly with wide combine headers.
Roger Kanable, Soil Conserv-ation Service agronomist in Lincoln, Nebraska, also
encouraged producers with residue management in their conservation plan to consider the
crop variety planted, especially for small grains. Kanable said a tall variety will provide
more residue than a shorter variety. Conversely, if there is too much residue and
distribution is a problem, select a short growing variety. "Proper selection, maintenance,
and operation of a combine straw and chaff spreading equipment can provide uniform
residue distribution in both row crops and small grains," said Smith. "Uniform distribution
will provide maximum erosion protection and avoid problems with uneven distribution," he
added.

Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Right and Left as used throughout the book, is determined by standing behind the machine
and facing the direction of travel. The photos and drawings in this manual may differ
slightly from your machine due to design changes. The manufacturer reserves the right to
change the design of the machine at any time without notifying the customer.
SERIAL NUMBER AND DECAL LOCATION
It is important to have access to your machine’s serial number and keep it on record at all
times. The serial number decal on the Rapid Till is located on the front side of the main
frame near the 3-point plates. This decal also includes the machines model number and
our patent number. We recommend the serial & model numbers be written in this manual
in the spaces below. Should your sticker become damaged and/or unable to read, you can
obtain a new one by sending us your machine's model and serial numbers and a return
address.
Having your model and serial number ready when ordering replacement parts will help
avoid confusion and assure that you get the correct parts.
Serial Number:______________________Model Number:______________________
WARRANTY
All new Rapid Till machines come with a one year warranty from the date of purchase. This
warranty covers all non-wear parts (everything except coulters and points) for one year.
Any labor needed for repairs will not be covered unless labor is provided by a Schlagel
Manufacturing employee or is pre-approved by Schlagel Manufacturing. If warranty parts
or repairs are needed, please contact Schlagel Manufacturing or your local dealer with
your Rapid Till Serial and Model number. In an urgent case, please call Schlagel Manufac-
turing and your warranty parts can be authorized over the phone. Warranty parts & repairs
will not be authorized for any part that has been misused, abused, or failed because rou-
tine maintenance as specified in this manual, was not performed.
TYPICAL SERIAL NUMBER LOCATION

Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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SAFETY FIRST!
Watch for this symbol throughout this manual. The information that follows
this symbol requires your attention and involves your safety!!!
 Always disengage all drives, lower machine, put tractor in park, and
shut off engine before performing any maintenance or repairs on your
machine.
 Keep hands and feet away from any moving parts at all times.
 Never crawl under the machine without the bar stands in place.
 Always wear safety glasses and other protective wear as needed when
performing any adjustment or maintenance.
 Always watch overhead for power lines and other structures when
raising/folding/unfolding any piece of equipment.
 THINK AHEAD… Before doing any maintenance, preview what needs
to be done and think about the best & safest way to do the job.
 If at any time you have questions about the machine, setting the ma-
chine, safety issues, repair issues, or any other inquiry, don’t hesitate
to call us. Our toll free phone number is 1-888-889-1504.
This includes but is not limited to:
Lubricating
Making Adjustments
Repair Work
Filling Tanks
Machine Inspection
Replacing Parts

Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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 The flat and wavy coulters on your Rapid Till usually have very sharp edges. Use ex-
treme caution when around all coulters.
 Before doing any maintenance on or under the machine, set the machine on the ground
and lower the bar stands onto solid level ground to prevent it from tipping forward and
falling.
 If maintenance requires the machine to be raised, leave the machine attached to the
tractor and lower the bar stands and stand extensions onto solid level ground before
performing maintenance.
 When removing and adjusting components, be aware of the weight of the components
you will be moving.
SPECIAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS REGARDING YOUR
RAPID TILL
Stand not in use Hitching /
unhitching
position
Machine raised /
parked position

Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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RAPID TILL ROW UNIT COMMON ASSEMBLIES
We recommend you take a quick look through the parts section of this manual and familiar-
ize yourself with the basic assemblies and parts of the Schlagel Rapid Till row unit before
reading the section on adjusting your Rapid Till. Each assembly will have some form of ad-
justment regarding its particular function.
 Exploded View of Row Unit
Parallel Linkage
Assembly
Dual Wheel
Packer Assembly
Wavy Coulter Assembly
Shank Row Zone Cleaners
Main Side Bodies
Front Flat
Coulter
Assembly
 Fully Assembled Row Unit

Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
17

Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
18

Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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INFORMATION REGARDING THE RAPID TILL
Under all circumstances, these three things are necessary for the Rapid Till to work properly:
1. Flat coulter must cut all crop residue to prevent plugging.
2. Shanks must be set deep enough to break compaction.
3. The groove left by the shanks must be closed by the wavy coulters.
PREPARING THE RAPID TILL TRACTOR
The tractor must have a 3 point hitch in good working order. Duals on the tractor are highly
recommended. Front weights may be required. The number of front weights will vary with tractor size and
type, but usually the maximum number is best.
Tire settings should be as close as possible to two (2) times the row width. For example: for 30" row
spacing, you would set the front tires and inside duals at 60" and the outside duals at 120” . Tires must be
set the same from side to side and centered on the tractor. Make sure to set the toe-in of the front tires to
manufacturer's recommended specifications. Tire pressures should be equal for all rear tires.
The majority of Rapid Till machines are on cat. 3 wide, cat. 3 narrow, and cat. 4 narrow folding bar con-
figurations. For non-folding configurations, cat. 3 narrow and cat. 3 wide configurations are standard. A
quick coupler is highly recommended. Sway blocks should be set with minimum amount of free travel. If
more than 3/16” of total side play is present, you may have to shim up the sway blocks or 3 point arms.
We have shim plates available for most JD & Caterpillar tractors. Call our parts department if you need
some.
When a 3-point planter is to be used, the tractors sway block side-to-side clearances and 3-point arm to
quick coupler side-to-side clearances need to be as tight as possible.
Side-to-side clearance between quick coupler and Rapid Till 3 point hitch plates should be as small as
possible. Weld on 3 point bushings are available from Schlagel Manufacturing. They come in various
thicknesses and should be installed to the pin side of the outer hitch plates for Category 3 and to the pin
side of the inner hitch plates for Category 3N hitches. Bushings are tapered on bottom edge to allow easy
hitch coupling.
For tractors without quick coupler, 3 point pin spacers are required. The spacers should take up any side
to side movement of the tractor 3 point arms on the Rapid Till 3 point pins.
PREPARING THE PLANTING TRACTOR
It is important to check and adjust the toe-in of the front wheels. Improper toe-in will make the planting
tractor follow poorly. Planting tractor’s rear tires should be set as close as possible to 2 times the row
width. For example: for 30" row spacing, you would set the inside duals at 60" and the outside duals at
120” . Tires must be set the same from side to side and centered on the tractor. Tire pressures should
be equal for all rear tires.

Schlagel Manufacturing, Inc. 4154 Buttermilk Road Torrington, WY 82240 PH:888-889-1504
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ADJUSTING YOUR RAPID TILL
SETTING ROW UNIT DEPTH
It is best to start on an area of your field that is fairly level and even. First determine how
deep to run your Rapid Till. To decide this, you will need to take a few main factors into
consideration:
 How much power does your tractor have?
 What is the depth of the compaction layer?
 What type of soil will you be running in?
Once you have decided how deep you want to pull your Rapid Till, set each row unit at that
depth. This is done by making adjustments to the dual wheel packers on the back of the
row unit, secondary adjustments on the shank, and fine adjustments on the body of the
Rapid Till unit itself. A complete list of depth settings are found on the next page. The ad-
justments are made using the pins on the primary adjustment, the secondary adjustment,
or the fine adjustment on each row unit . If you are unsure where to start, it may be best to
just drop your machine in the ground with the factory settings and see what happens. Be
sure to dig down behind the shank to fully analyze what the machine is doing before you
make too many adjustments. If you are still having problems setting your machine to the
proper depth, please feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to assist you in getting
your Rapid Till working properly in your conditions.
SETTING MACHINE BAR HEIGHT
Once you have your row units set for depth, you will need to figure where your main Rapid
Till bar needs to be set to allow the row unit’s parallel linkage to function properly. You
want the parallel linkage on your row units to be level or angled so they are slightly lower in
the back. The bottom of the bar will be roughly 32” off the ground with the parallel linkage
level and the points just touching the ground. If you are planning on running 10” deep,
simply subtract 10” from 32” and you will find that the bottom of the bar should be roughly
22” from the ground. These dimensions are not exact and should be used as reference
only. On a three point Rapid Till, this is as simple as raising or lowering your three point on
your tractor to the correct height. LEVEL OR SLIGHTLY
LOWER IN THE BACK