Ventrac AERA-vator EA600 User manual

Revised 06/15/12
09.10002
AERA-vator
Model EA600
OWNER/OPERATOR’S
MANUAL & PARTS LIST

ii
TO THE OWNER
Venture Products Inc. reserves the right to make changes
in design or specifications without obligation to make like
changes on previously manufactured products.
Orrville, OH
www.ventrac.com
Model # (A): _______________________
Serial # (B): ________________________
Affix Part/Serial Number label here
Product Identification
If you need to contact an Authorized Ventrac Dealer for information on servicing your product,
always provide the Product Model and Serial numbers.
Please fill in the following information for future reference. See picture below to find the loca-
tion of the identification number. Record them in the spaces provided below.
Date of Purchase: Month _________________ Day ___________ Year ___________________
Dealer: _______________________________________________________________________
Dealer Address: ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Dealer Phone Number: __________________________________________________________
Dealer FAX Number: ____________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION SECTION A
Description & Specifications ..................................A-1
SAFETY SECTION B
Safety Symbols ........................................B-1
Decals .............................................B-2
General Safety Procedures ..................................B-3
Safety Operation & Techniques ................................B-4
OPERATION SECTION C
Attaching ...........................................C-1
Detaching ...........................................C-1
Operating Techniques & Tips .................................C-1
MAINTENANCE/ADJUSTMENTS SECTION D
Bearing & UV Joint Lubrication ................................D-1
Gearbox Oil ..........................................D-1
Storage ............................................D-1
Rotor Shaft Removal ...................................D-1&2
Rotor Shaft Disassembly ...................................D-2
Rotor Hub Disassembly ..................................D-2&3
Rotor Hub Reassembly ....................................D-3
Rotor Shaft Reassembly .................................D-3&4
Rotor Shaft Installation ....................................D-5
Tine Replacement .......................................D-5
PARTS & ILLUSTRATED DRAWINGS SECTION E
Main Frame & Shields...................................E-1&2
Drive System .......................................E-3&4
Drive Clutch ........................................E-5&6
Rotor Shaft Assembly, 16 tine (serial # 1001-1139) ....................E-7&8
Rotor Shaft Assembly, 24 tine (serial # 1140- ) .....................E-9&10
PARTS/OPTIONS SECTION F
Optional Roller (Kit # 70.8014) ..............................F-1&2
WARRANTY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
iii

Product Description
EA600 AERA-vator
The EA600 AERA-vator is designed to stir and loosen the soil beneath the sod without destroying the
turf. The AERA-vator creates a core hole without bringing a core plug to the surface, leaving the turf
ready for use immediately after treatment.
The AERA-vator works best in dry unirrigated ground. It improves seed germination with better seed
to soil contact, as well as infiltration of air, nutrients, and water into the soil.
Optional accessories available for the AERA-vator include a rear roller kit (Kit # 70.8014), a seeder
kit* (Kit # 70.8015) that mounts to the AERA-vator's weight mounting bar, and additional weights** for
use in heavily compacted areas or hard clay soil.
* Tractor must be equipped with 12 Volt Switch & Plug Kit.
** A maximum of eight Ventrac weights or 340 pounds may be used. Weights can not be used if
seeder attachment is installed.
A-1
INTRODUCTION
Ventrac EA600 Specifications
Overall Height ......................................22inches
Overall Length .....................................33inches
Overall Width ......................................66inches
Working Width .....................................60inches
Weight ........................................350pounds
Tines .....................................9/16 x 3-1/2 inches
Vibration Depth....................................3-3/4 inches
Aeration Density - 16 Tine Model .........................6holes per Ft.2
Aeration Density - 24 Tine Model .........................8holes per Ft.2
Shaft Speed ................................800cycles per minute
Optimal Engine Speed .................................3200 RPM
Venture Products, Inc. reserves the right to change these specifications without notice.

SAFETY
B-1
ATTENTION:
This symbol identifies potential health and
safety hazards. It marks safety precautions.
Your safety and the safety of others is involved.
SIGNAL WORD DEFINITIONS
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, may result in minor
or moderate injury and/or property dam-
age. It may also be used to alert against
unsafe practices.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury.
Indicates an imminently hazardous situa-
tion which, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury. This signal word is
limited to the most extreme cases.

The following decals must be maintained on your Ventrac Attachment. If any decals
are faded or missing, contact your dealer promptly for replacements.
B-2
SAFETY
A
Decal Page & Location Description Part Number
AE-1, # 7 (2) Danger - Shield Missing 00.0102
BE-1, # 37 Warning - Read Owner's Manual 00.0217
CE-1, # 24 Notice, Clutch Drive Release Pin 00.0205
B
C

General Safety Procedures
for Ventrac Tractors, Attachments, & Accessories
Read and understand the operator’s manual before operating this equipment.
Observe and follow all safety decals.
DO NOT let children or any untrained person operate the tractor or attachment. Make sure that all
operators of this equipment are thoroughly trained in using it safely.
Never allow additional riders on the tractor or attachments.
DO NOT operate tractor or attachments if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication
that may impair judgment or cause drowsiness, or if you are not feeling well.
Operate all controls from the operator’s seat only.
Before operating equipment, make sure all shields are in place and fastened.
Ensure the attachment or accessory is locked or fastened securely to the tractor before
operating. See tractor manual for locking procedure.
Ensure that all bystanders are clear of the tractor and attachment before operating. Be especially
careful and observant if other people are present. Never assume that bystanders will remain where
you last saw them.
Always look in the direction the tractor is moving.
Never direct the discharge of any attachment in the direction of people, animals, buildings, vehicles,
or objects of value.
Stop operation immediately at any sign of equipment failure and correct the problem before
continuing to operate. An unusual noise can be a warning of equipment failure or a sign that
maintenance is required.
Before adjusting, cleaning, lubricating, or changing parts on the tractor or attachment, engage the
parking brake, lower the attachment to the ground, stop the engine, and remove the ignition key.
To prevent the risk of uncontrolled equipment movement on tractors equipped with 2 speed axles,
always shift the transaxle range with the tractor stationary on level ground and with the parking brake
engaged.
If equipment is to be left unattended, engage the parking brake, lower the attachment to the ground,
stop the engine, and remove the ignition key.
B-3
SAFETY

EA600 Safety Procedures
Before operating AERA-vator on hilly or undulating areas, shift tractor transaxle to low range.
SAFETY
B-4
Before making any repairs or adjustments, engage
the parking brake, lower attachment to the ground,
shut the engine off, and remove the key.
Read and understand the operator’s manual before
operating this equipment.

Attaching
1. Drive the tractor slowly forward into the hitch arms on the AERA-vator. Align the lift arms of the
tractor with the AERA-vator hitch arms by raising or lowering the front hitch and complete the
engagement.
2. Once completely engaged, close the front hitch locking lever.*
3. Engage the parking brake* and shut off engine.
4. Place the attachment belt over the outside groove of the PTO drive pulley on the tractor. Ensure
the belt is properly seated in each pulley.
5. Engage the PTO spring tension lever.*
6. Raise the AERA-vator and move the stand up to the operating position
7. Remove the safety snap pin securing the clutch release, and move it to the upper frame hole for
storage during operation.
Detaching
1. Park the tractor on a level surface and set the parking brake.*
2. Shut off tractor engine.
3. Remove the safety snap pin from its storage hole and install it through the clutch release handle
and main frame.
4. Lower the AERA-vator to the ground and move the stand down to the storage position.
5. Disengage the PTO spring tension lever.*
6. Remove the attachment belt from the PTO drive pulley of the tractor.
7. Disengage the hitch locking lever.*
8. Restart tractor and slowly back away from the AERA-vator.
* Refer to tractor manual for operation of controls.
Operating Techniques and Tips:
Before aerating, disable the tractor’s weight transfer system.
To begin aerating, engage the PTO drive on the tractor. Start moving the tractor forward, while
lowering the front hitch into the float position. As the attachment contacts the ground, the clutch will
engage and the tine action will begin.
When completing a pass, begin raising the AERA-vator before stopping the tractor movement. When
the AERA-vator is raised, the clutch will disengage and stop the tine action.
Optimum engine speed is 3200 RPM. Controlling the ground speed of the tractor will determine how
aggressive the tine action is. Going slow will give the most action for loosening soil.
In heavily compacted areas or hard clay soil, additional weights may need to be added to the
AERA-vator. This can be done by purchasing additional weights and installing them on the mounting
bars provided on the AERA-vator.
A maximum of eight Ventrac weights or 340 pounds may be used.
NOTE: Weights can not be used if seeder attachment is installed.
OPERATION
C-1

Grease the drive shaft bearing and the universal joint every 25 hours. Do not over grease. Usually,
one pump is sufficient.
Check gearbox oil every 100 hours or seasonally. If necessary, replenish with 80-90 weight gear oil.
For seasonal storage, set AERA-vator on concrete or on wood blocks.
EA600 ROTOR SHAFT SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS
Clean machine thoroughly with a pressure washer before servicing.
Rotor Shaft Removal:
For safety reasons, only lift AERA-vator approximately two inches above the work sur-
face. Never place hands or feet between the machine and the work surface.
1. Remove the 3-belt end shield, the belt retainer, and the three drive belts.
2. Remove the 3/8" bolts holding the center bearing mount to the main frame.
3. Remove the 3/8" carriage bolts holding the end rotor shaft bearings. NOTE: carriage bolts on the
pulley end will be captive between the pulley and the bearing flange. See Figure 1.
4. Move frame slightly to the right and lift up off the rotor shaft assembly.
Rotor Shaft Disassembly:
1. Remove the 1-1/8” hex jam nut from the shaft end nearest the damaged component.
2. Only remove the rotors and spacers required to reach the damaged component. Wipe the shaft
clean before each rotor is removed. Each rotor bearing has two separate cones with a hex bore
adapter pressed in each. Each cone is held in position by an internal grease seal, which allows
the cones to be moved apartslightly. When they are moved apart, any dirt allowed inside the
MAINTENANCE
D-1
Figure 1