Sovema FS 500 User manual

CONGRATULATIONS
Dear Owner,
Thank you for buying a SOVEMA manufactured product.
Your new machine is carefully designed and manufactured to give you
superior performance and dependable service, if properly operated and
maintained.
You will find this machine to be rugged and reliable when matched to
the suggested horsepower operating range.
Much time has been invested in providing safety and protection. Please
carefully read this manual. It tells you how to safely and easily assemble,
operate and maintain your machine.
Be sure that you and any other operator carefully follow the recom-
mended safety practices at all times. Failure to do so could result in per-
sonal injury or property damage.
Of course, if you should ever have any problems or questions, please
contact your local SOVEMA dealer or contact us at the addresses or
numbers indicated in this manual.
SOVEMA manufactures a variety of innovative equipment. If you are
interested in reviewing our full line, please contact us.
Thanks for your choice.
Ginettino Mayer
President

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 3
2. GENERAL INFORMATION.................................................................................. 3
2.1. USING THIS MANUAL........................................................................................................... 3
2.2. INFORMATION ON THE MACHINE...................................................................................... 4
2.2.1. NAME PLATE........................................................................................................................ 4
2.2.2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MACHINE............................................................................. 4
2.2.3. TERMINOLOGY.................................................................................................................... 6
2.2.4. TECHNICAL DATA................................................................................................................ 6
3. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.............................................................. 7
3.1. SAFETY SIGNALS................................................................................................................. 11
4. CONNECTIONS………………………………………………………………..…...… 12
4.1. CHECK THE RAISING ABILITY OF THE TRACTOR……………………………………..….. 12
4.2. CONNECTION TO THE 3-POINT HITCH OF THE TRACTOR……………………...………. 13
4.3. DRIVELINE INSTALLATION………………………………………………………….………….. 13
5. FERTILIZER SPREADER USE……………………………………...…………….. 14
5.1. ADJUSTMENTS……………………………………………………………………..……………. 15
5.1.1. HOW TO ADJUST THE SPREADER VANES…………………………………...……………… 15
5.1.2. HOW TO ADJUST THE SPREADING………………………………………………...…………. 16
5.2. HOPPER LOAD…………………………………………………………………………….…….. 17
5.3. SPREADING OF THE FERTILIZER IN THE FIELD………………………………..………… 17
5.3.1. SPREADING MISTAKES…………………………………………………………….……………. 19
6. GENERAL MAINTENANCE………………………………………………………... 20
6.1. LUBRICATION……………………………………………………………………………..……... 21
6.2. REPLACEMENT OF THE SPREADER VANES………………………………………..……... 21
6.3. STORAGE………………………………………………………………………………………..... 22
6.4. SPARE PARTS………………………………………………………………………………….... 22
7. SPARE PARTS LIST.……………………………………………………...………... 23
8. WARRANTY………………………………………………………………...………... 28
9. PRODUCT LINE……….…………………………………………………………...… 32
Pag.2

The centrifugal fertilizer spreaders are machines used for the distribution of solid, granular
fertilizers and seeds in the field. They can be used whether with tractors of small/medium power.
It is recommended to carefully read this operator's manual of use and maintenance and follow the
recommendations to help ensure safe and efficient operation with and on the machine.
This manual has been written, in order to give the customer all the information and safety rules on the
machine, as well as use and maintenance instructions that let to make good use of the potentialities of
the machine.
The manual must always be handy, so as to consult it, in order to check the operational cycle. If it gets lost
or damaged, it will be necessary to ask for a substitutive copy.
In case of some difficulties of interpretation on texts or tables, or if the drawings/sketches are not clear
enough, please get immediately in touch with the manufacturer or dealer of the machine for having all
the clarifications through the experts in the working/maintenance or through the person who wrote the
manual.
We are completely available for a real collaboration, in order to improve the understanding of the whole
manual.
2. GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1. USING THIS MANUAL
This manual gives all the information for the use and maintenance of the machine. The good working
and its life depends on the good maintenance and to the attention during the use.
Some pictures in this manual show details or accessories that could be different from those of your
machine, some components could be removed, in order to assure the clearness of the pictures.
Some signal words are put on the machine and the operator shall see to keep them in a perfect visual
condition, replacing them when they are not readable anymore.
The symbol on the left, joined to the words under shown:
WARNING!
are used in this manual to draw your attention on the safety and good
work of the machine. Therefore, it is necessary to observe all the written
rules.
We recommended to use the original spare parts and accessories.
The not original parts, besides to decline the guarantee, could be dangerous reducing the length and the
performances of the machine.
1. INTRODUCTION
DANGER!
ATTENTION!
Pag.3

2.2. INFORMATION ON THE MACHINE
The models introduced in this manual have been designed and made exclusively allowing the
distribution of solid, granular fertilizers and of seeds in the field. The machine is not indicated for
being used in different sectors from the agricultural one.
These machines are usually used during the day. If it is required the nocturnal use or with poor
visibility, it must use the lighting system of the tractor or of the equipment to which the machine is
connected.
Adifferent use, like the above mentioned one is considered improper.
Any arbitrary modification made to this machine relieve the manufacturer from any responsibility for
damages or lesions, also serious, that can be caused to the operators, to third parties or to things.
2.2.1.
NAME PLATE
On the hopper of every machine, a name plate is fixed showing the model, the number of series and
the year of construction of the machine.
When some spare parts are required, it is always necessary to refer to the type of machine, to the
serial number and to the manufacturing year.
Location of the name plate on the machine
2.2.2. CHARACTERISTICS OFTHE MACHINE
The hardiness of the steel welded frame, together with the remarkable life of the plastic hopper, let to
obtain a highest quality level of the pull type spreaders.
The painting is made by an epoxy varnish with successive backing at 150 °c with the application of the
primer bath, assuring a great protection and long life of the machine.
Pag.4

The fertilizer spreader P model has a distributor of fertilizer completely in stainless steel equipped
with a spreader disc with four adjustable vanes in four different positions, in order to obtain the
maximum spreading precision and uniformity in the distribution, depending on the kind of product
that must be spreaded.
Spreader disc
The feeding of the disc is by gravity through an opening, located on the bottom of the hopper, inside
of which a mix/agitator is applied, in order to prevent the fertilizer lumps formation. A sheet case is
placed in front of the disc, in order to prevent the spreading in the front side of the machine.
The fertilizer delivery is controlled by properly opening of the orifices in the hopper bottom, through
lock devices operated by a levers.
Agitator Leversystem
The fertilizer spreader is connected through a gear box (1:1) with gears module 17 in order to be
resistant, absorbing possible power stress.
The PL version has a plastic hopper instead of steel, perfectly interchangeable with all the models
of P version.
On demand, it is possible to equip the machine with a lateral conveyor
to be used for the spreading of the fertilizer in the orchard.
Pag.5

2.2.3. TERMINOLOGY
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Regulating lever
Third hitch point
Sheet case
Hitch pin
Pto shaft hitch
Hopper
Steel frame
Distributor vanes
2.2.4. TECHNICAL DATA
TECNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
FS180 FS250 FS 300 FS500
HOPPER CAPACITY
(litres/gallons)
(kg/lbs)
Weight of the machine
(kg/lbs)
Loading height
(meters/inches)
Hopper width
(meters/inches)
Spreading width
(meters/ft)
Granular
Crystalline
Power required at 540
rpm
(Kw/Hp)
165/44
213/470
54/119
0.91/36
0.90/35.43
12-14/39-46
6-7/20-23
8/6
220/58
285/628
56/123
1.01/40
1.00/39.37
12-14/39-46
6-7/20-23
8/6
260/79
335/739
58/128
1.05/41
1.05/41.33
12-14/39-46
6-7/20-23
8/6
300/79
387/853
60/132
1.07/42
1.08/52.71
12-14/39-46
6-7/20-23
8/6
345/91
450/992
63/139
1.13/44.5
1.11/43.89
12-14/39-46
6-7/20-23
8/6
FS400
Pag.6

3, IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
THE FOLLOWING SAFETY RECCOMENDATIONS ARE TO SAFEGUARD YOUR INCOLUMITY: THEREFORE IT
IS NECESSARY TO READ THEM CAREFULLY, MEMORIZING AND ALWAYS APPLYING THEM.
The present warnings in this manual regard exclusively the allowed uses and reasonably foreseeable.
All below instructions must be integrated by the common sense and by the experience of who works,
indispensable measures to prevent accidents.
The machine must be used by a single operator. It is forbidden the use of the machine to under-ages.
Ail the listed instructions must be carefully respected.
Possible changes on the machine, not preventively authorized by the manufacturer (by written copy),
exclude his responsibility.
Check the correct functioning of the machine, before every employment
General advices
• Read carefully this manual before proceeding to start, operate, employ or maintenance on the
machine.
• Watch, in addition to the warnings of this manual, all the safety, accident prevention rules and of
general nature.
• The manual must always be handy , so as to consult it, in order to check working cycle and safety
information. In case of loss or damage, it will be necessary to ask for a substitutive copy.
ATTENTION!
Any work of maintenance, regulation and cleaning must be done with the
machine on the ground (in stable conditions), turning off the tractor engine and
removing the key.
• Read carefully the safety signal words applied on the machine and follow the instructions. In case of
wear and tear or insufficient readability of the safety signal words, clean them up or replace them,
placing the signal words in the right position, as shown in paragraph 3.1.
The operator, during the period of use, maintenance, repair, handling or storing of the machine, must
wear accident-prevention shoes and safety gloves. Moreover, if it is necessary he must wear suitable
hearing protections such as earmuffs or earplugs, dust masks and protective glasses.
• During loading phase, there is the danger of powders inhalation produced by fertilizer mixing. It is
suggested to use tractors with filters on the ventilation system of the cabin, to use suitable safety
systems of breathing, like powder masks or masks with filter.
ATTENTION! - WARNING!
Pag.7

• The machine is designed for being used by a single operator who, during the use, must always stay
in the stationing control on the tractor.
• Never work with this machine if you are tired, sick or after having took drinks, drugs or medicines.
DANGER!
It is forbidden to climb or to transport somebody when the machine is in motion,
Do not let inside the hopper for any reason.
• Keep the machine cleaned up from foreign bodies (detritus, tools, miscellaneous), as they could
damage the operations or the operator. Generally the fertilizers are rather corrosive. For this reason,
it is important that any particle of the fertilizer stay in the machine for a long period of time. Clean
the hopper and the distributor after each use of the machine.
• If during cleaning operations it is used air or water with pressure, it is necessary to wear glasses and
safety masks keeping away possible persons or animals from the machine.
• Before connecting the machine to the tractor or to other self-moving means check that this is in
good conditions and that brakes work correctly, especially if you work on sloping grounds.
• Switch off the machine from tractor only on a compact and level ground (with empty hopper),
checking that the machine is stable.
WARNING!
During transport operations, stocking and employment of the fertilizers, the
operators must follow all the label indications and particularly to the content of
the written risks and the precaution suggestions.
ATTENTION!
The Manufacturer does not answer to possible damages caused by an improper
and unforeseen use of the machine.
The Manufacturer is not responsible in case oft
- improper use of the machine, use by not trained staff;
- serious deficiencies in the foreseen maintenance;
- changes or not allowed interventions;
- use of not original or specific spare parts;
- total or partial inobservance of the instructions;
- inobservance of the common safety rules during work;
- unusual cases.
Pag.8

Connection of the machine to the tractor
• The third hitch point of the tractor and the fertilizer spreader must coincide or must be adapted.
• Make sure that the pto shaft is engaged in right way after every linkage operation of the machine
and that it does not come uncoupled when the machine is lowered in order to fill the hopped up.
ATTENTION! DANGER!
Check that the protections of the pto shaft are complete and in good conditions.
• In case of breaking or deterioration of the pto shaft protections, please replace them immediately.
• When the machine is not linked to the power unit, the pto shaft must be placed on the appropriate
support.
• The presence of the machine can influence the manoeuvrability of the tractor, in particular during
transport.
ATTENTION!
Do not come, for any reason, between the tractor and the fertilizer spreader when
the engine is running and the power take-off is on.
Operation of the machine
• Make a check of the machine before switching it on. Start to work only if the machine is in perfect
conditions.
• Before using the machine, please be sure that all the safety devices are correctly placed and in
good state; in case of breakdowns or damages to the protections, please replace them
immediately.
ATTENTION!
During work, please be sure that for a radius of 50 meters there are not any person
or animals. When you work in proximity of roads or public places, it is ABSOLUTELY
OBLIGATORY to keep away persons and to increase the precautions.
ATTENTION!
Anybody who comes up to the machine is in a danger area, therefore he becomes
"AN EXPOSED PERSON*. The operator must prevent anybody to come into the
danger area and to work with the maximum caution. If somebody comes up,
please stop immediately the tractor engine.
• Before every use of the centrifugal spreader, please always check the wear of the vanes and of the
spreader disc. Check that all the fixing components (screws, bolts etc.) are in and fixed.
eThe machine must never be unattended when it is moving.
• Keep always the machine in good operating conditions and make regularly the maintenance.
Pag.9

Transfer on the road
ATTENTION!
Please follow scrupulously the Highway code in force in the country of use.
During moves on public roads, it is obligatory to empty the hopper.
• Remember that during moving on public roads, special attention must be done, besides to possible
and special regulations noted on the registration book of the tractor, choosing an appropriate speed
especially when the street is crowded, winding or sloping.
• If the spreader hides with its shape the back signalling lights of the tractor, it is necessary to put a
lights bar and/or some back signalling signs.
• During the moving on the road, please clean tyres or the working mechanism, in order to avoid to dirty
the feather edge with earth or other material.
ATTENTION!
During the moving on the road, the warning flasher, yellow or orange, assembled
on the tractor must always be in function also during the day-
ATTENTION!
During transport with raised machine, please always check that the control lever of
the rear lifter is locked, in order to avoid the accidental lowering of the machine.
Pag.10

3 . 1 . SAFETY SIGNALS
ATTENTION!
Be sure that the safety labels are readable. Clean them up using a cloth, water
and soap. Replace the damaged labels placing them in the right position, as
subsequently described.
The safety signs on the machine supply the most important indications: their observance helps your
safeness.
1-ATTENTION! Before making any
operation on the machine, stop the
engine of the tractor or of the self-
moving means, remove the key,
put on the parking brake and read
carefully the operator's manual.
3. ATTENTION! Check the sense
of rotation and the number of
revolutions (540 rpm) of the tractor
power before placing the pto shaft.
5. ATTENTION! - DANGER! Possible
throwing of material and/or
objects, please do not stop or
come up to the machine. Keep a
safety distance of 50 meters, at
least, from the machine.
2. ATTENTION! DANGER of
entangling and dragging. Do not
put hands near the running gear
box.
4. ATTENTION! DANGER of
crushing. Do not stop between
the machine and tractor when the
tractor engine is running.
6. ATTENTION! DANGER of
shearing. Do not approach limbs
to the spreader disc when the
machine is running.
Where placing the safety signals on the machine
7. ATTENTION! Use the individual Protection Devices, as required.
Pag.11

4. CONNECTIONS
Before coupling the machine to the 3-point hitch, positioning the safety devices to the tractor, so that it is
not possible the involuntary and/or accidental raising and lowering of the arms.
The 3-point hitch of the tractor and of the machine must coincide or must be adapted.
In proximity of arms rods of the back lifter of the tractor, there is the danger of wounding, because of
crushing and cutting points.
Do not use the external controls for the lifting of the machine.
During transport position block the lateral stop of the rods.
4 . 1 . CHECK THE RAISING ABILITY OF THE TRACTOR
DANGER!
It is obligatory to check the raising ability and the stability of the tractor (before
carrying out the connection with the machine) in order to avoid the overturning
and/or the loss of wheels grip.
Check the raising ability and the stability of the tractor through the following formula and if it is
necessary please apply some ballasts on the back.
Ms=<0,2Ti +Z(d +i)
M
=< 0,3T
i=
d=
s=
T=
Z=
M=
Wheels base of the tractor
Distance of load ballast back axle
Bounce of the machine rear axle
Tractor load + 75 kg (operator)
Load ballast
Machine load
Pag.12

4 . 2 . CONNECTION TO THE 3-POINT HITCH OF THE TRACTOR
ATTENTION!
Every time that somebody comes down from the tractor, it is necessary to
disconnect the pto shaft, stopping the engine and to put on the parking brake.
For the connection of the machine to the tractor, please operate in the following way:
• Step backwards with the tractor until arriving in proximity of the lower connections of the fertilizer
spreader.
• Fix the lower connections of the tractor to the pins of the machine and lock them with the safety
plugs.
• Connect the upper linkage of the machine to the 3-point hitch of the tractor putting the appropriate
pin and block the anti-unscrewing device of the 3-point hitch;
• Raise the machine of some centimetres by the ground and operate on the lateral ties of the lifter
bars and on the two turnbuckles, in order to block the lateral movement, so as to prevent excessive
oscillations during the working phase.
The machine must be positioned, through the raising of the lower connections of the tractor, so that
the land distance from the lower extremity of the distributor disc is approximately of 70 cm. To obtain
a regular distribution, it is important that the distributor disc is in horizontal position compared to the
land.
• After having made these operations, the pto shaft must be linked to the splined shaft of the
gearbox of the machine (covered by a safety cowling) and after to the tractor power take-off.
ATTENTION!
The pto shaft must always be connected at last to the tractor power take off and
disconnected at first, when you stop working.
4.3. DRIVELINE INSTALLATION
Before using the pto shaft, please consult the use and maintenance manual attached to the pto
shaft.
In case that the pto shaft, supplied with the machine, is not used, please check that the cowlings of
the machines and of tractors are overlapped to the pto shaft's shield of 5 cm., at least.
For a correct and safe operation of the machine, please use exclusively pto shafts with CE mark.
Please use pto shafts with integral shields.
* Grease periodically, the pto shaft following the instruction supplied by the pto shaft manufacturer
(see the use and maintenance manual of the pto shaft).
• Observe the sense of assembly of the pto shaft, as indicated by the manufacturer and shown on
the outer cover of the shield (tractor drawing on the external tube of the pto shaft towards the
power take-off of the same tractor).
Pag.13

• Fasten the safety ant-rotation chains and make sure that the safety anti- removing block (push
connecting ring nut) is correctly placed and blocked in the right lodging.
ATTENTION!
Check the rotation sense and the speed regulation of the power take-off of the
tractor to be at 540 rpmyas the machine is projected for this kind of speed.
The length of the pto shaft must be adapted to the type of used tractor.
When the pto shaft is released from the power take-off of the tractor must ALWAYS be laid on the
appropriate support.
COSMO Company is not responsible for the damages caused by an incorrect assembly and use of the
pto shaft.
5. FERTILIZER SPREADER USE
ATTENTION!
Before use, please check that gears are adequately greased (see paragraph 5.1).
ATTENTION!
Duringthe use of the machine, please be sure that for a radius of 50 meters there
are not any person or animals,, If somebody comes up, please stop immediately
the tractor engine.
Recommendations for a correct distribution
• Please test always the kg/ha that you wish to spread before starting to work.
• Use a fertilizer in perfect conditions: a humid fertilizer could not be spreaded uniformly and
correctly.
• Avoid to spread the fertilizer during windy days, in order to improve the uniformity of the distribution.
Pag.14

5 . 1 . ADJUSTMENTS
It is not possible to have an exact spreading chart for equipments that make use of the centrifugal
principle, given that the distributed quantity depends on the feed speed, on the radius of distribution,
on the quality and humidity of the fertilizer and on the roughness of the land.
The fertilizer must always be stored and conserved adequately, so as to keep its physical characteristics
unchanged.
It is necessary to set the speed of the centrifugal spreader, before starting the operation of distribution,
trying, in the possible limits, to keep it constant for all its duration.
The spreading charts contain the indicative information, in order to determine the quantity to spread
in the field; these must be completed by the experience and competence of the operator.
5.1.1. HOW TO ADJUST THE SPREADER VANES
In order to assure an homogenous distribution on both sides of the centrifugal spreader, depending
on the different specific weight of the used fertilizer, the distributor vanes on the disc can have
different positions.
When all the vanes are put in hole 1 (as shown in the picture), the distribution of the product is
increased towards left, compared to the way of the tractor moving. On the contrary, if the vanes are
put in hole 4, the distribution will be bigger towards right.
Moreover, moving the vanes from position I t o position 4, at the same speed, there will be an increase
of the distributing width of fertilizer distribution.
Regulation of the distributor v@n®$
This regulation must be made compared to the type of used fertilizer and to the experience of the
operator.
Pag.15

5.1.2. HOW TO ADJUST THE SPREADING
The fertilizer spreading is regulated through the regulation lever that moves the opening section on
the bottom of the hopper.
In order to carry out the regulation, after having consulted the spreading table, according to the type of
product to spread and to the spreader speed, it is necessary to move the lever "A" along the graduated
scale "E" and blocking it in the chosen position with the pin "Dw.
In order to spread from both sides (ref. I), "A" and "B" levers must be in the same position, connected
through grip handle "C".
In order to carry out the spreading only through the left side (ref. II), it is necessary to disconnect
the two levers removing the "(T grip handle, to set the lever "A" in the chosen position, given by the
spreading chart, and to bring the lever "ET towards the higher part (position 1) in order to close the
shutter of the right side.
In order to spread only on to the right side (ret HI) you have to move the lever uk" up, (in position 1)
and regulate the quantity to spread with the lever "B".
Distribution on right side (ref. ED) Distribution on leftside (ref. II)
Pag.16

5 . 2 . HOPPER LOAD
It is advised not to carry out the hopper loading manually but using a lifter or suitable mechanical
means.
ATTENTION!
The hopper must be loaded only after having hitched the spreader to the tractor.
Do not drive for very long distances with a full load and do not put full bags on the fertiliser loaded in
the hopper during the transport to the field or during the working, in order not to overload the capacity
of the machine and to compress the fertilizer.
WARNING!
During the operations of transport, stock and use of fertilizers, the operator must
be behaved in compliance with the indications on the label of the product and in
particular with the content of the sentences of risk and the precaution advices.
5. 3. SPREADING OF THE FERTILIZER IN THE FIELD
The operator, during the period of use, maintenance, repair, transport or storing of the machine, must
wear accident-prevention shoes and gloves of security. If it is necessary, he will have, moreover, to wear
headset, mask and glasses.
After having hitched the machine to the tractor and having carried out the necessary regulations, it is
possible to begin to work.
ATTENTION!
Before getting off from the spreader and before every operation of maintenance
and regulation, set in action the parking brake, turn off the engine, remove the
ignition key from the dashboard and await the stop of all the moving parts.
ATTENTION! - WARNING!
Pag.17

Engage the axle with the pin, so that the spreader can be set in action by the turning wheels, only
when the spreading operation has to be carried out.
Various ways there are to spread the fertilizer in the field. One of the simplest methods is, as follows:
• Position the spreader at the beginning of the field you intend to fertilise, to a distance (D/2) that is
the half of the working width that is used (point 1);
• Drive in the field, distributing the fertilizer on all the perimeter;
• Stop the tractor at one distance (D) from the point 1, equivalent to the set working width (point 2);
• Begin the spreading proceeding in line, straight to point 3. Turn the tractor and drive a D distance,
equal to the working width (point 4);
• Repeat such procedure until all the plot will be covered.
Pag.18