Tar River SLC Series User manual

Printed October 2023
Spring Loaded Cultivator
SLC Series
Operator’s Manual

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
TO THE DEALER:
Assembly and proper installation of this product is the responsibility of the Tar River dealer. Read manual
instructions and safety rules. Make sure all items on the Dealer’s Pre-Delivery and Delivery Check Lists in the
Owner’s/Operator’s Manual are completed before releasing equipment to the owner.
TO THE OWNER:
Read this manual before operating your Tar River equipment. The information presented will prepare you to
do a better and safer job. Keep this manual handy for ready reference. Require all operators to read this manual
carefully and become acquainted with all the adjustment and operating procedures before attempting to
operate. Replacement manuals can be obtained from your selling dealer. The equipment you have purchased
has been carefully engineered and manufactured to provide dependable and satisfactory use. Like all
mechanical products, it will require cleaning and upkeep. Lubricate the machine as specified. Observe all
safety information in this manual and safety decals on the equipment. For service, your authorized Tar River
dealer has trained mechanics, genuine Tar River service parts, and the necessary tools and equipment to handle
all your needs. Use only genuine Tar River service parts. Substitute parts will void the warranty and may not
meet standards required for safe and satisfactory operation.
Record your machine model and serial number in the space provide below. Your dealer will need this
information to give you prompt, efficient service.
Model Number: ______________________________________
Serial Number: _______________________________________
Date Purchased: ______________________________________

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Technical Specifications ……………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Safety …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Safety Signal Words ……………………………………………………………………………………. 6
General Safety Guidelines ……………………………………………………………………………… 7
Safety Decal Care ………………………………………………………………………………………. 7-8
Before Operation ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
During Operation ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
Highway And Transport Operations …………………………………………………………………… 10
Operating Instructions…………………………………………………………………………………... 12-13
Maintenance…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14
Torque Specifications ………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
Parts Breakdown ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 17-19
Warranty ………………………………………………………………………………………………... 20
Table of Contents

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
Thank you for purchasing your Tar River Implements Spring Loaded Cultivator. The Tar River Implements
Spring Loaded Cultivators are available in three sizes; 36”, 54” & 72” working widths. Each implement is
made using 3/8” Steel Angle Iron with 3/4” wide shanks.
Technical Specifications
• Suitable for stone and root filled soil, light, and medium soil conditions
• Used for loosening and aerating soil up to 9 inches below the surface
• Prepares seedbeds quickly and economically
• When one tine strikes a hidden obstruction the others continue to work at the correct depth.
• Strength derived from heavy duty shanks, which once fixed to the frame cannot move or strain out of
position
• Shovel to Shovel Distance 15”
• Height 21”
Introduction
SLC-5SLC-7SLC-9
Spring 3/8” x 50” 3/8” x 50” 3/8” x 50”
Tines 3/8” x 2-1/2” 3/8” x 2-1/2” 3/8” x 2-1/2”
Working width 36” 54” 72”
Total width 50” 68” 72”
Tractor HP 15-45 30-45 40-45
Weight 260 lbs. 396 lbs. 482 lbs.

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
Safety
It is important that you read the entire manual and to become familiar with this product before you begin using
it. This product is designed for certain applications only. The manufacturer cannot be responsible for issues
arising from modification. We strongly recommend this product not be modified and /or used for any
application other than that for which it is designed. If you have any questions relative to a particular
application, DO NOT use the product until you have first contacted us to determine if it can or should be
performed on the product.
Read and understand this manual and all safety signs before operating and maintaining. Review the safety
instructions and precautions annually.
Safety Signal Words
TAKE NOTE! This safety alert symbol found though out this manual is used to call you attention to
instructions involving you 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!
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 following guidelines:
DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury. 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, could result in death or
serious injury, 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.
Important Safety Information

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
General Safety Guidelines
Safety of the operator is one of the main concerns in designing and developing a new piece of equipment.
Designers and manufacturers 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.
Replace any DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION 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 machine until they have read this manual and have developed a
thorough understanding of the safety precautions and of how it works.
To prevent injury of death, use a tractor equipped with a Roll Over Protection System (ROPS). Do not paint
over, remove or deface any 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. If its ability to do a job, or to do so safely, is in question -
Don’t try it!
• Keep safety signs clean and legible at all times.
• Replace safety signs that are missing or have become illegible.
• Replaced parts that displayed a safety sign should also display the current safety sign
• Safety signs are available from your Distributor or Dealer Parts Department or the factory.
Safety Decal Care
Important Safety Information

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
How to Install Safety Signs
• 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 straight pin and smoothed out using the piece of decal backing
paper.
• 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.
• Assure that all tires are inflated evenly.
• Give the machine a visual inspection for any loose bolts, worn parts or cracked welds, and make necessary
repairs. Follow the maintenance safety instructions included with this manual.
• Be sure that there are no tools lying on or in the equipment.
• Do not use the machine until you are sure that the area is clear, especially of children and animals.
• Don’t hurry the learning process or take the machine for granted. Ease into it and become familiar with
your new equipment.
• Practice operation of your equipment and its attachments. Completely familiarize yourself and other
operators with its operation before using.
• Use a tractor equipped with a Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) and fasten your seat belt prior to
starting engine.
• The manufacturer does not recommend usage of tractor with ROPS removed.
• Move tractor wheels to the widest recommended settings to increase stability.
• Securely attach to towing unit. Use a high strength, appropriately sized hitch pin with a mechanical retainer
and attach safety chain.
• Do not allow anyone to stand between the tongue or hitch and the towing vehicle when backing up to the
equipment.
Important Safety Information
Before Operation

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
• Children should not be allowed on the product.
• Clear the area of small children and bystanders before moving the machine.
• If using a towing unit, securely attach machine by using a hardened 3/4” pin, a metal retainer, and safety
chains if required. Shift towing unit to a lower gear before going down steep downgrades, thus using the
engine as a retarding force. Keep towing vehicle in gear at all times. Slow down for corners and rough
terrain.
• Make sure you are in compliance with all local and state regulations regarding transporting equipment on
public roads and highways. Lights and slow moving signs must be clean and visible by overtaking or
oncoming traffic when machine is transported.
• 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 machine. 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 equipment while it is moving.
• When halting operation, even periodically, set the tractor or towing vehicle brakes, disengage the PTO,
shut off the engine and remove the ignition key.
• Be especially observant of the operating area and terrain. Watch for holes, rocks or 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 overturns may result.
• Operate up and down (not across) intermediate slopes. Avoid sudden starts and stops.
Important Safety Information
Warning: Never backup with the machine on the ground! This will cause dam-
age to the machine. Always lift the machine high enough to clear the ground be-
fore backing up.
During Operation

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
• 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 machine 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 at 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!
• 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. Various safety lights and devices are available
from your dealer.
• 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 and marking requirements.
• When driving the tractor and equipment on the road or highway under 40 kph (20 mph) at night or during
the day, use the amber warning lights and a slow moving vehicle (SMV) identification emblem.
• Plan your route to avoid heavy traffic.
• Be a safe and 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 at lower than the gross weight at which
you are operating.
• Watch for obstructions overhead and to the side while transporting.
• Always operate in a position to provide maximum visibility at all times. Make allowances for increased
length and weight of the equipment when making turns, stopping the machine, etc.
• Pick the most level route when transporting across fields. Avoid the edges of ditches or gullies and steep
hillsides.
• Be extra careful when working in inclines.
Important Safety Information
Highway and Transport Operations

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
• 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 machine length when making turns,
• Operate the towing vehicle from the operator’s seat only.
• Never stand alongside of machine with engine running or attempt to start engine and/or operate machine
while standing alongside of machine.
• Never leave running equipment attachments unattended.
• As a precaution, always recheck the hardware on equipment following every 100 hours of operation.
Correct all problems. Follow the maintenance safety procedures.
Important Safety Information
Highway and Transport Operations

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
Assembly
Operating Instructions
The Spring Loaded Cultivator is extremely suitable for use in stone and root obstructed soil. When
one tine strikes a buried, immovable object, the other tines will continue to work at the set depth.
The Spring Loaded Cultivator may be used for loosening and aerating soil to a depth of nine inches,
preparing seed beds quickly and economically.
The Spring Shank Cultivator is designed for tough operations. It is suitable for varying soil
conditions. Spring Loaded Cultivator tine assemblies derive their strength from heavy duty angles,
which once fixed to the structurally sound main frame, cannot move or strain out of position.

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
Assembly
Before Use & Adjustments
Before mounting of cultivator make sure that all nuts & bolts are properly secured. Also determine
soil and trash conditions of the field and make the preliminary adjustments. e.g.
Tine leveling
To eliminate uneven working and side draft, leveling is done by means of top link.
Depth Control
The depth at which the implement is required to work is controlled hydraulically by raising or
lowering the control lever on the tractor.
Attaching the Cultivator to the Tractor
1. Place the cultivator duly leveled on the flat piece of land.
2. Reverse the tractor to the cultivator (Do not drag the cultivator up to the tractor).
3. Attach the left arm of the tractor to the cultivator first.
4. Attach the central arm to the cultivator. To attach, turn the screws on both sides to an equal
length. If the arm is too short or too long, turn the screw to adjust both at the same time until
aligned with the hole on the central arm.
5. Attach the lower right arm, turn the screw until the mounting pin is at the same level as the hole
on the tractor arm. If the gap between the hole and mounting pin is too close or too distant, turn
the control arm in or pull it away to an appropriate distance. You may have to adjust both height
and distance at the same time. When the hole at tractor arm and mounting pin are even, insert
the pin in the hole and lock it with the lynch pin.
6. After attaching the cultivator, lift it and adjust the control arm parallel to the ground. When you
look from both rear or sideways, all shovels should be touching the ground uniformly.
Operating Instructions

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
Assembly
Maintenance Instructions
Operation, Care & Maintenance of Cultivator
1. All the shovels of the tines should be set at equal depth. To do this, place the cultivator on level
ground and see that all the shovels touch the ground.
2. Before commencing work with a cultivator, check it for loose bolts and nuts and fasten them
properly. After having taken all these precautions, run the cultivator for one hour and then
inspect it once more for any loose parts.
3. Never turn or reverse your tractor while cultivator is ploughed deep in field. This will twist the
assemblies out of alignment and damage them extensively.
4. Reverse or replace the shovel point when worn out. Delay may result in wearing out of the tines
which will result into expensive repairing/replacements. Avoid use of extra wide shovels as they
do not improve tillage quality but only put extra load on the tractor and also result into extra fuel
consumption.
Storage of Cultivator After Work
1. All the shovels of the tines should be set at equal depth. To do this, place the cultivator on level
ground and see that all the shovels touch the ground.
2. Replace the worn out nuts & bolts.
3. If cultivator has to remain unused for long time then clean it & apply a layer of used oil for rust
prevention.
4. These steps will enhance the life of your cultivator.
In the operating position, the top link must be higher on the machine side than on the tractor side!
Danger
Incorrect top link position Correct top link position

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
Notes:
This chart is an approximate estimate of torque values.
Always tighten hardware to these values unless a different torque value or tightening procedure is listed for a specific application.
Fasteners must always be replaced with the same grade as specified in the manual.
Always use the proper tool for tightening hardware: SAE for SAE hardware and Metric for Metric hardware.
Make sure that fastener threads are clean and that you properly start thread engagement.
Torque Specifications

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Printed October 2023
Spring Loaded Cultivator
SLC Series
Parts Manual

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
Frame Assembly

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
Item Part # Description Qty.
1SLC70310004 Frame assembly 7 tine 1
SLC70310005 Frame assembly 9 tine 1
SLC70310006 Frame assembly 11 tine 1
SLC70310007 Frame assembly 13 tine 1
2SLC70330005 Big pair tine assembly 4-7
3SLC70340003 Small pair tine assembly 3-6
4SLC10270003 Spring washer M12 28-52
5SLC10260362 Hex head bolt M12x35 28-52
6SLC10280025 Nylock nut M12 28-52
7SLC10260378 Hex head bolt M16x65 2
8SLC10270005 Spring washer M16 2
9SLC10280005 Nylock nut M16 2
10 SLC10260376 Hex head bolt M18x65 2
11 SLC10280020 Hex nut M18-2.50 2
12 SLC10270006 Spring washer M18 2
13 SLC70320003(Cat.1)
SLC70320006(Cat.2) 3 Point linkage assembly 7-11 tine 2
SLC70320006(Cat.2) 3 Point linkage assembly 13 tine 2
14 SLC10020138(Cat.1)
SLC10020013(Cat.2) Hitch pin 7-11 tine 2
SLC10020013(Cat.2) Hitch pin 13 tine 2
15 SLC10020022 Lynch pin 2
Frame Assembly

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SLC Spring Loaded Cultivator
Frame Assembly