Usmower Ex30 User manual

Operator’s Manual

Flail Mower

11949 Westar Ln

Burlington, WA 98233

360.757.7555

www.usmower.com

US Mower Rotary and Flail Mowers for Excavator and Skid Steers are used by com-

mercial mowers for industrial mowing applications such as: land clearing, pipeline main-

tenance, ditch maintenance and general herbicide free vegetation management. We of-

fer Rotary Mowers and Flail Mowers for both Skid Steers and Excavators as well as

Complete Tractor Integrated Mowers for Case, John Deere, New Holland, Challenger

and McCormick. US Mower equipment is manufactured to have a long, productive ser-

vice life. Many contract mowers have reported 5,000 or more hours of working time

on their mowing equipment. The very rst ail mower built in 1999 is still in use today.

All US Mower ail mowers and rotary mowers are designed and manufactured in Burling-

ton, WA. From idea to nished project, it all happens right here in our USA factory. Each

design feature, material and component is carefully selected to provide the best per-

formance and value to our customer. We know that a ail or rotary mower is a big in-

vestment to our customer, so we make it from high strength steel, DOM tubing, and other

high quality components. We also service and stock each component to build the mow-

ers and our customers can purchase them direct form US Mower or one of our fantas-

tic dealers located throughout the USA and Canada. Because we are a fabricating man-

ufacturer, we can also make custom mounts, a variety of options and special requests.

Creating Mowing Solutions Manufactured in the USA

THE WAY:

US Mower ail and rotary mowers are designed and manufactured in Burlington, WA. Founded in 1999, US Mower’s commit-

ment to our domestic design, fabrication and assembly of our ail and rotary mower heads is steadfast. Our team at US

Mower is decades strong giving our customers and dealers the best service possible.

US Mower equipment is manufactured to have a long, productive service life. Our products are built with Precision in-house

bending, Expert tting, and industry leading welds. The electronic and hydraulic components are also designed and assem-

bled in house providing the ultimate t and function.

US Mower rotary and ail mowers for excavators and skid steers are used by commercial mowers for industrial mowing

applications including land clearing, pipeline maintenance, ditch maintenance and general herbicide free vegetation manage-

ment. The very rst ail mower built in 1999 is still in use today.

US Mower offers complete tractor integrated mowers for Case, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland and Masse Ferguson

tractors. From delivery of the tractor to our facility in Washington, every customer receives our complete attention to the

details that matter for your application. Our staff will understand your goals for the nal product and deliver to your specs

from the quotation phase to completion of your mower.

The team at US Mower understands that a ail or a rotary mower is a big investment whether on a single excavator or a

eet of tractors.

It is our motto to build:

“Proven, reliable implements built with superior fabrication for maximum productivity. Domestically built and sup-

ported by our committed team delivering genuine, personalized service.”

And we stand by it-faithfully.

360.757.7555

www.usmower.com

Read the safety messages on the implement and in your manual. US Mower has designed this implement to be used with

all its safety equipment properly attached to minimize the chance of injury in the event of an accident. There is no substi-

tute for an informed, cautious, safe-minded operator who recognizes potential hazards and follows good safety practices.

• Study Operator’s Manuals and Safety Decals for Excavator and cutter thoroughly to prevent misuse, abuse and accidents.

• Do not allow riders on Ecavator or implement. Falling off may cause serious injury or death by being run over by Excavator

or cutter. Keep Children Away!

• Operate with ROPS and fastened seat belt to prevent injury and possible crushing death from falling off or Excavator

overturn.

• Wear hard hat and safety glasses for personal protection.

• Make certain that SMV sign, warning lights and reectors are clearly visable.

• Turn Machine off. Block up or support cutter securely before putting hands or feet under or working underneath lifted com-

ponents to prevent crushing injury or death from sudden, inadvertent dropping. Make certain area is clear before lowering.

• Follow local trafc codes. Slow down at night, in turns, and on hillsides.

• Before dismounting, secure implement in transport position or lower to Ground. Disengage Interlock, Turn off machine.

Never mount or dismount a moving vehicle to prevent crushing injury or death.

Failing to follow safety messages and operating instructions can cause serious bodily injury or

even death to the operator or others in the area. Your mower is a powerful industrial machine

with substantial capacity to cause property damage, personal injury or even death when used

improperly or without proper safety equipment.

BEFORE YOU START!!

Safety

In addition to the design and conguration of equipment, hazard control and accident prevention are

dependent upon awareness, concern and prudence. suitable training of personnel involved in the op-

eration, transport, maintenance and storage of equipment is required.

Safety

• Dress for the job. Choose close-tting clothes and long pants, hearing protecttion, eye protection, work boots with traction and

heavy gloves (when handling blades). Do not wear loose-tting clothes or jewelry, which can get caught or hung up on a machine

and cause injury.

• Know your machine. Read the operators manual to familiarize yourself with your machines unique features. For example deector

shields, adjustments, skid shoes, retention systems and maintenance.

• Read warning labels and check safety features. Never operate your mower if your safety guards and devices are not in place. Re-

place safety guards and devices if damaged or not operating properly.

• Stop mowing if passersby are within 50 yeard radius from mower head.

• Never allow children to operate, ride on, or come close to mower or equipment. Never lift a person or allow anyone to stand on a

mower head. Keep bystanders and pets clear and off of equipment.

• Extreme care should be taken when operating near loose objects such as gravel, rocks or general debris. These objects should be

removed or avoided to prevent injury from thrown objects. Where grass and weeds are high enough to hide debris that could be

struck by the blades, the area should be inspected and large debris removed. Mow cleared area at an intermediate height, inspect

closely for remaining debris and remove. Mow again at desired nal height.

• Keep the mower head at least 10 feet from electric lines and pipe lines to prevent accidental contact and possible serious injury or

even death.

• Pressurized hydraulic uid can penetrate the skin causing serious injury. Do not use your hand to check for leaks on a pressurized

system. Use a piece of cardboard or paper to search for leaks. Stop the engine and relieve pressure before connecting or discon-

necting lines. Tighten all connections before starting the engine or pressurizing lines. If uid is injected into the skin, obtain medical

attention immediately.

• Check attachment points. Check your mower’s connection to the power unit. All pins, bushings and linkage should be checked to

insure they are free to travel the full distance without interference. Repair if necessary.

• Conduct daily inspections. Verify that all shields and guards are in proper working order. Check blade attachment bolts to insure

all blades are present and in good condition. Check blades for cracks around bolt hole. Check that hydraulic hose connections are

completely engaged.

KNOW YOUR OPERATING SAFETY ZONE!!

Before starting the operator should read and understand the owner/operation manual for the

parent implement to determine the proper procedure for turning on the auxiliary hydraulics to

run the mower.

Mounting the mower

After removing the bucket from the stick by disconnecting the quick attach mechanism install the mower in it’s place. The mower with its’

mount should readily attach in place of the bucket. Conrm that the locking mechanism is properly engaged. Install the case drain line

and then, attach the supplied hoses with quick couplers to the auxilary circuit lines on the excavator. Make sure that the quick connect

couplers are completely engaged and locked.

Case drain line, what and why is it needed?

The case drain protects the motor shaft seal from excessive pressure. Motor shaft seals are usually rated to 100 psi for brief periods

or less than about 50 PSI continuously. High pressure oil from the gear section travels between the shaft and its sleeve bearing to an

area behind the shaft seal. Through the return line by way of an internal check valve or through an external case drain. In most compact

equipment return line pressure is high enough to cause either abrupt seal blowout (150+ psi) or early failure of the motor shaft. Higher

pressure seals are available, but are not always reliable and cause other problems as well.

The best solution is a dedicated case drain. Your machine may have an internal or external case drain system that can accommodate the

small volume of gear motor case ow. Contact your vehicle dealer or manufacturer for technical details.

Motor shaft seals are not covered under warranty if case drain is not properly installed or fails. Make sure

case drain line couplers are properly connected.

There are obvious and hidden potential hazards involved in the operation of this mower. Serious injury

or death may occur unless care is taken to insure the safety of both the operator and other persons

in the area. The following is a list of some safeguards which should be followed.

Operating Safety Zone---50 Yard Radius from Mower Head

Stop! And allow all vehicles to pass through operating “Safety

Zone” before continuing cutting. Operator awareness is key

to safe operation. Never operate or continue to operate this

machine when there is a person or vehicle within a 50 yard

radius of the cutting operation. If a person comes inside your

operating “Safety Zone” (50 yard radius) shut the machine

down.

KNOW YOUR OPERATING SAFETY ZONE!!

Installation

Attaching Mower to Excavator

• Securely attach the ail mower in the same manner you would attach a bucket or other excavator attachment. Conrm that the

locking mechanism is properly engaged.

• Carefully clean the Hydraulic quick couplers before making connections. Dirt quickly damages the hydraulic system. Always cover or

connect couplers together when not in use.

• Connect supply, return and case drain lines. Conrm that the hydraulic quick couplers are fully engaged and locked by turning the

collars. Check with your power units manuals on how best to release the pressure in the auxiliary lines for easy coupling to the

connectors.

• Activate the auxiliary hydraulic circuit with the cutter head raised off the ground.The cutter shaft should turn freely and smoothly.

Mowing with the Excavator Flail

Techniques vary with the operator and the mowing task. however, the factors below should be kept in mind.

• The mower is fragile compared to an excavator bucket. The bucket is designed to with stand very high digging force. The mower will

crumple with any substantial fraction of that. Keep in mind that excavator mowing requires a light hand. Do not push on the mower

head to move the excavator or to push objects.

• It is particularly important to avoid pushing with the ail shaft. Keep the ail shaft and blade towers clear of solid objects. Let the

blades do the cutting. Bending the ail shaft will result in vibration that requires remanufacturing the shaft to x. Do not continue to

mow with a severely bent or unbalanced shaft.

• Good performance depends on the free swinging of the blades. The two pound blades can sever 4 inch diameter soft wood with one

hit of one blade. forcing the ail into vegetation, such that the blades are held against the ail shaft, slows mowing. Keep the blades

swinging.

• The ail mower is designed to cut all types of grasses, brush and small trees. The ground conditions and the type of brush being cut

will determine the best cutting procedure and ground speed.

• Sharp blades make a substantial difference in cutter efciency. This is most noticeable in heavy conditions when the mower is oper-

ating at capacity. Running the blades into rocks or other hard objects will blunt blades and will reduce mowing capacity.

Flail mowers can be equipped with cut height adjusting roller for brush cutting at ground level. For brush cutting at higher levels, includ-

ing canopy mowing, The roller is best left off.

Cutter shaft should be run at 1800 to 2000 rpm.

Clearing brush in an open area

• Position the excavator at a starting point. Set the height of mower head so the brush is less than about 2 feet above the top of the

mower. Swing the mower through the brush matching the swing speed to the performance of the mower. Over feeding the mower

will drag down cutter shaft speed reducing mower efciency. Lower the head and swing again. Repeat until desired cut height is

reached.

Canopy Mowing & Trees

• Canopy mowing requires rotating the head so that the ail is upside down and positioned upward, the level of the canopy to be cut.

Turning the cab from side to side while moving the excavator forward, one can readily mow the underside of a tree canopy.

• Tree mowing is generally best done by rst running the ail head up and down the trunk removing the branches. If the tree is not

too large, positioning the head at the top of what remains of the trunk while working the head up and down can reduce the trunk to

little more than a stump. Bear in mind, however, that the ail is not a chipper or stump grinder. Its ability to do this kind of cutting is

limited by the hardness of the material.

Operation

Frequent and routine maintenance procedures should be followed to ensure the safe and efcient operation

of the mower. The following procedures should be performed every 8 working hours. Under severe condi-

tions this schedule should be accelerated.

• Check free end bearing and bearing housing for excessive heat: indicating loss of lubrication or possible bearing damage.

• Check blades, blade bolts, nuts and towers for excessive wear, chipping or cracking.

• Grease bearings: free end ~4 pumps every 4 hours — drive end until grease comes out the breather

• Check hydraulic lines for damage and leaks.

• Clean debris, leaves, grass and sticks from inside shroud and or rollers.

• Check bolts and nuts on all mountings and optional equipment.

• Check depending on your options: gates, shields, shroud and rollers etc. Repair if damaged or replace if necessary.

Lubrication

The drive end bearing housing has a grease zerk and a grease vent plumbed to the surface of the mower enclosure. The amount needed

varies with ambient temperature and mowing load. Generally greasing twice a day is sufcient for heavy operation. A good quality

NLGI#2 lithium grease is usually satisfactory. If the bearing housing is pumped full of grease when cold, at rst run up after a cold ll,

a substantial quantity of grease will issue from the vent as the grease heats. This is normal. To reduce this, grease when equipment is

at operating temperature.

Inspect before mowing

Inspect cutter drum and knives. Inspect the blades for wear, damage & cracks. Inspect towers for cracks. Inspect blade bolts for wear

and tightness. Replace or repair any problem items immediately. Injury can be caused if a blade or tower is thrown from cutter shaft

while mowing.

Replacing bearings—free end

Removal

• Loosen the set screw that holds the collar of the bearing to the shaft.

• Unbolt the (4) bolts (7/16-14 x 1 1/2”) that hold the bearing in place.

• Clean dirt and rust from surface. Smooth off raised areas.

• Slide the bearing off the shaft. Because of rust or nicks on the shaft, a puller may be needed.

Installation

• Clean the shaft and bearing bore.

• Apply anti-seeze.

• Slide bearing in place.

• Install (4 ) bolts ( 1/2” -14 x 2 1/4”) and torque to 100 ft/lbs.

• Tighten collar set screws.

Replacing bearings—drive end

• Remove the hoses and the four bolts holding the hydraulic motor to the end of the bearing housing and remove the motor.

• Loosen the 3 set screws on the nut and remove the nut.

• Block up the cutter shaft.

• Remove the clamp ring that compresses the outer edge of the rubber disc.

• You should now be able to slide the bearing housing off the shaft. (A puller may be needed. Use motor mount bolts and push from

inside drive stub.

• When reassembling the housing, note the two ball bearings must be installed so that their thrust direction is back to back. (Numbers

on bearings should face each other.)

• Push seal into housing. Pressing seal is not necessary.

• This is also a good time to examine the rubber disc and shaft seal. Inspect for tears, wear or separation. Replace if damaged.

• When tightening Outer Clamp Ring through ISO Ring to head, tighten bolts just until rubber starts to bulge.

Maintenance

Installing the Compact Drive Nut

Do not use anti-size on the nut or drive stub.

Caution: Do not tighten set screws before installing nut.

• Thoroughly clean and degrease the threads on both the nut and the drive stub and set screws.

• Apply Blue Loctite to set screw and stub threads.

• Screw the nut onto the drive stub and tighten to about 40 FT/LBS

• Turn the shaft 2-3 full rotations.

• Loosen nut slightly and torque to 40 FT/LBS

• Torque again to 40 FT/LBS.

• Torque set screws to 160 IN/LBS.

Replacing blades and blade bolts

Your mower will be more efcient if running with sharp

blades. Blades may be turned around if one side is worn.

Blades should be replaced in sets to maintain cutter shaft

balance. Blade bolts, washers and bolt nuts should be exam-

ined and replaced if worn. Bear in mind that parts subject to

intense pounding will in time develop fatigue cracks.

Install the blade assembly as shown in the shaft diagram.

Note that if top lock nuts are used they should be threaded

onto the bolt such that the nut runs out of bolt threads. It is

the resulting thread jamming effect on the nut that holds it in

place against shock and vibration. This type of nut must be

driven to refusal with a 3/4” High power impact gun.

PARTS

Complete Blade, Bolt and Nut Kit

EX30/EX30HD Part #2564496

Item No. Quantity Part number Description

1 1 2560265 EX30 Bearing Housing

222560095 40MM Bearing EX30 Drive End Bearing

312560266 EX30 Bearing Cap

412560282 EX30 Inner Clamp Ring

512558461 EX30 Torque Disc Retainer Clamp Ring

612560272 EX30 Iso Ring

782557626 1/2 Flat Washer ZP

8 8 2559030 1/2-13 x 1.25 HCS ZP G8

912560096 EX30 Shaft Seal

10 42564818 1/4-20 x 0.75 SHCS PL

11 22602584 Push on Grease Line Fitting

SCALE 1:5

Item No. Quantity Part number Description

1 1 2561630/2564352 EX30/EX30HD Shaft Weldment

216 2558468 2lb Blade

382560622 Thatch Blade

482558544 2lb Flail Blade Bolt

582558349 1-14 Castle Nut

682556294 Roll Pin

Shaft Assembly

Drive End Assembly

Optional Thumb Saddle

Drive End Exploded View with Optional Hose Routing for LS Boom Plumbing

Case Drain

Supply

Standard Conguration

Case Drain

Supply

Motor must be turned 180° for clearance of case drain line when switching pluming to opposing side.

Protection for Hydraulic Functions

All U.S. Mower attachments have some level of protection for the hydraulic motor on the mower. The basic functions allow for oper-

ation in a single direction. No pressure relief is provided. To reverse operations, hoses must be switched inside the attachment head

(see previous page for exploded view of standard conguration).

U.S. Mower offers advanced packages for attachments that protect the hydraulic system from a wide range of failure modes and allow

for bidirectional operation via our bidirectional function relief valve (BDRV) depending on how the excavator hydraulic system works.

Typical Options:

1. Machines that can only provide enough power for mowing with the oil owing in one direction: Using the same gender quick

couplers on both sides of the circuit for easy manual direction changes is the best option in this circumstance. Note that this is still

better than a basic setup, which requires swapping hoses on the motor and provides no pressure relief.

2. Machines that can provide bidirectional operation, but not full power in both directions: This is useful for controlling the direc-

tion material is thrown from the blades or untangling but is not ideal for mowing productivity. Note switching between modes involves

getting out of the cab and manually turning a valve on some of these machines.

3. Machines that can operate at full power in both directions: This allows for seamless mowing operation in both directions.

Please contact U.S. Mower for questions related to your specic conguration for best results and equipment functionality.

Optional Bi-Directional

Function Relief Valve (BDRV)

2602792

(standard flow / pressure)

12 Month Factory Warranty

Warranty Coverage Includes Defects in Workmanship and Materials. Coverage begins at the Date of invoice to the

end user. Valid for 12 Calendar Months

Specific Areas Include:

1. Mount Systemand Attachment Shroud-Manufacture Defects in Welds, Construction,Materials (Includes Full Length Rail System, Chin Mount, Snorkel, Under

Belly Support, Left Side Mount, PrimaryBoom and Jib Boom.)

2. Hydraulic System-Piston Pump(s), Piston Motor, Motor Control Valve, Hydraulic Valve, Electronic Circuit Board, Driveline from Engine toPump, Hydraulic

Tank, Hydraulic Cylinders.

3. UPS Ground Shipping or when required LTL paid by US Mower.

Warranty Coverage Does Not Include:

4. Normal wear parts, lubricants, oil, grease, filters, hoses, belts, springs, sheeves, driveline Spiders.

5. Components classified asconsumables, wear outitems, serviceable items, filters, Spindleand Motor Seals, Cylinder Internal Parts, hoses, sheeves, belts,

springs, tensioners, shop supplies, lubricants, oil, grease, blades, blade bolts, flail knives, clevises and all other wearable and servicing parts.

6. Hydraulic hoses notofUSM manufacturing unlesspre-approval fromUSMower inwriting.

a. If an otherwise warrantable hydraulic hose isused toreplace the Manufacture hose, credit can be issued which will represent US Mowercost of

original parts.

7. Technician Travel Time toand from Manufacture or Dealer

8. Machine Pick-up and or Delivery from Manufacture or Dealer

9. Components showing evidence ofmaintenance neglect including but notlimited to:

a. Failure tofollow the lubrication schedule.

b. Failure tomaintain proper hardware.

c. Failure tomaintain proper bearing pre-load.

10. Components showing evidence of operational misuse, abuse and or modification.

11. Non–OEM parts or components without prior written approval fromUSMower.

12. Damage caused byNon-US Mower personnel.

Warranty Process:

13. Determine if the Malfunction is Warranty Related

14. Submit the US Mower Warranty Authorization Form. This form can be found by contacting USMower. Images and other supporting documentation can be

submitted atthat time.

15. Approved Warranties will be credited or replacement components will be shipped pershipping policy.

16. If a US Mower Dealer/Service Center is required for evaluation or labor, it must be approved in advance by US Mower. Please call our factory for service

center authorization. If purchased through a dealer, please use that dealer if possible for all service.

17. Dealer labor rate agreement must be approved in advance by US Mower.

Shipping/Freight Policy During Warranty Process:

18. Components and or parts that require evaluation at the factory must beshipped freight pre-paid.

19. All parts shipped will beinvoiced atthe time of shipping.

20. Acredit will beissued for the replacement component and or part(s) plus freight if any, pre-paid when itisdetermined that warranty isapplicable.

Damage and Injury:

1. US Mower liability isspecifically limited tothe replacement of components and or parts for its products if a warrantable defect iscovered.

2. Collateral damage to property and or personal injury is exclusively the responsibility of the owner and or operator since US Mower has no control over

the circumstances in which its equipment is used.

Seller Warrants That:

1. The goods tobesupplied pursuant tothis agreement (purchaser’s agreement to buy and seller’s agreement to sell) are fit and sufficient for the purpose

intended.