Segment mower for tractor: device, how to adjust and set up?
The tractor-mounted segment mower ensures fast and accurate mowing of vegetation, which is especially important for green forage.
After mowing, the grass won’t slow down, so you can mow a few more times.
However, in order for the mower to work effectively and to conserve the life of the tractor, it must be selected with regard to the characteristics of the self-propelled machine and other factors.
Maintenance features
One of the main advantages of rotary models is that they require little or no technical knowledge for operation and maintenance. Farmers choose such equipment because of its simple design and lack of frequent repairs. The condition of the attachment will require monitoring, because spare parts for trailed mowers wear out over time and must be replaced or serviced. Repair is simple, and one person can perform the function.
For effective operation, checking lubrication, checking parts for faults or damage, and performing adjustment
The need for frequent maintenance depends on the mower model. Attachments for large machines may need to do this every day and at the end of the season. Mower for any tractor is cleaned of dirt, grass and other stuff, check the reliability of fixing the cutting plate blades. Parts need to be sharpened or replaced periodically, and lubrication is essential. Segmental mower
difficult to maintain because it is more complex and requires more time-consuming hitching.
Rotary mower for a mini-tractor
The rotary grasshopper cuts vegetation with 8 pivoting, steel blades. disc mower.
The advantages of the machine
Segment mowers have these advantages:
Ability to work on uneven ground. This is made possible because the blade can deflect up to 20% from the tractor.
The tractor segment mower is capable of mowing quite a large area.
Easy mounting and use. However, installing the machine on a single-axle tractor or tractor must be done correctly. Otherwise it will be of little use.
Affordable price. Naturally, the mower is a bit pricey for private use. But it will not cause serious financial damage to a small household.
Adjustability. You can do it manually by yourself.
Reliable design and durability of operation. Rarely do mechanical machines break.
Economical. No need to fill the machine with petrol or plug it in, making it much cheaper to use.
Rules of storage
7.1. Mowers must be stored indoors. Can be stored under a roofed area and must be conserved, sealed and have all components that require storage removed. When putting the mower in storage for a long time, responsible persons must be appointed. Mowers ready for storage should be handed over by the operator and picked up by the person in charge.
During storage preventive maintenance is performed to maintain mower working parts. After taking the mower out of storage it is prepared for operation (after maintenance) by running it in and debugging the working elements, after which the act of accepting the mower for operation is drawn up.
Field of application
They can be used in all geographic regions and in all climates with the exception of semi-desert and desert areas.
Using a mechanized process speeds up haymaking by 7-8 times.
Tractor-made segment mowers are also successfully used for clearing fire breaks and weeds in areas between trees. You can mow the lawn with it by attaching it to your power tiller.
The machine cuts grass at the root, not afraid of waterlogged areas and a large number of roots.
Adjustment of mower mechanisms
Before you start the mower, check thoroughly that it’s assembled correctly, adjust the gears and turn them by hand.
Adjusting the blade position in the cutter bar.
Before using the mower check that pins are securely fastened and aligned on the cutter bar. It is very important that the shear plates of the tines are in the same plane. Their position is checked with one or two cords stretched along the tops or bases of the pro-cutting plates. All shear pads must touch the tensioned cords. Curved fingers are straightened with a special key or light blows of a hammer.
In order to cut the stalks reliably the segments must rest on the shear plates at the front and have a gap of 0.3 mm at the rear base.0,5 mm. This is achieved by bending the knife holders and extending the friction plates. The clearance between the blade and the segment and between the back of the blade and the friction plate must be within 0,3. 0,5 mm. At the given clearances, knife movement must be easy and the blade head must not have “play” in the guides.
In the outermost “dead” positions of the blade the centerlines of the segments and tines should coincide. This adjustment (centering the blade) is carried out by changing the length of the connecting rod. If the machine is not centered, because of the reduced speed of the blade in the cutting zone, the segments do not cut a part of the stalks and they are pulled into the gaps between the segments and the tines. Allowable deviation of segment axis lines from the tine axis lines within 3. the distance between pivot points of the tines is 76,2 mm and the stroke is shortened to 68 mm to reduce inertia forces during mowing. Therefore, in the rightmost position the centres of the segments should not reach the middle of the tines by 5 mm.
Adjusting the inclination of the cutterbar.
When mowing crops on uneven ground, the cutting unit is tilted backwards to prevent the tines from digging into the ground. When grass is particularly thin, tilt the cutterbar forwards so that the tines do not flatten the grass, but lift it. The cutting unit is tilted by turning the pivot with respect to the drawbar.
Grass cutting height adjustment.
A cutting height of max. 5. 7 cm is set by shifting the inner and outer shoe slats. When setting the height of cut, account must be taken of the agronomic requirements for cutting height and the condition of the ground.
Adjustment of cutter bar position in relation to crankarm and tractor.
For proper operation of the mower it is necessary that the cutting unit is positioned parallel to the axle of the tractor’s rear wheels. In this case the blade and connecting rod work in one vertical plane. However, under the pressure of the cuttings and in the presence of gaps in the articulated joints of the mower the cutter bar moves backwards. That’s why the outer end of the finger bar is set 35 cm forward prior to the mower. 55 mm relative to the inside (mowing unit run-in). The desired spacing is set by turning the eccentric sleeve and adjusting the length of the crossbar at the same time. On a tractor-mounted mower, the run is checked against a straight line drawn parallel to the axle of the tractor’s rear wheels, through the spout of the pin next to the inner shoe.
When the holes in the lugs of the hinge and inner shoe are developed or when the pins connecting the hinge and shoe are worn, the outer end of the cutter bar moves backwards. Return the machine to its initial position by turning the eccentric sleeve to the left.
Tension of the drive belts is adjusted by moving the driving pulley with the tensioning screw.
Adjusting the pressure of the shoes on the ground.
Stable cutterbar running is ensured by optimum loading of inner and outer shoes. Low overall pressure causes the mower to bounce on uneven ground; higher pressure causes the mower to dig in. Optimal loads are: 350-450 N on the inner shoe and 90-150 N on the outer one. Load on the shoe blocks is checked with a dynamometer and adjusted by adjusting the tension of the compensation spring.
Adjusting the lifting mechanism.
When lifting with the tractor linkage, the inner shoe should lift approx. 100-150 mm earlier than the outer shoe. This is achieved by adjusting the linkage of the lifting mechanism. Before adjustment, tension of compensation spring must be relieved.
Lifting height and stability of the cutter bar on the ground depends on which hole in the connecting bar the front lifting arm will be connected to. When working with T-25 tractors, the front lever must be attached to the lower hole of the bar. To the middle hole on MTZ tractors and to the upper hole on all other tractors.
In order to reliably separate cut and uncut grass and to clear a path for the cutter bar’s inner shoe to pass during subsequent drives, it is necessary to bend the two upper bars of the field board depending on the height to which the grass is shifted.
When converting mower for leguminous mowing remove cutter bar from mower and install cutter bar of attachment with swath formers in its place. Every third pin is fitted with a stalk lifter. Set the angle between the soil surface and the top edge of the stem lifter to between 15-16°.
Adjustment of mower mechanisms
Before starting the mower carefully check that it is correctly assembled, adjust the gears and turn them by hand.
Adjustment of the blade position in the cutter bar.
Before operating the mower check that the pins are securely fastened and positioned on the cutter bar. It is very important that the shear pins are in line with each other. Their position is checked with the help of one or two cords stretched along the tops or bases of counter cutting plates. All counter blades must be in contact with the tensioned cords. Straighten bent pins with a special key or light hammer blows.
In order to cut the stalks reliably, the segments must touch the shear plates at the front and have a gap of 0.3 mm at the rear base.0.5 mm. This is accomplished by bending the blade holders and sliding out the friction plates. At the same time, the clearance between the blade tip and the segment and between the back of the blade and the friction plate must be within 0.3. 0,5 mm. At the stated clearances, the knife movement must be easy, and the knife head must not have “play” in the guides.
In the extreme “dead” positions of the blade the axial lines of the segments and fingers must coincide. This adjustment (centering the blade) is accomplished by changing the length of the crank arm. If the machine is not centered, the segments do not cut part of the stalks in the cutting zone due to the reduced speed of the knife and pull them into the gaps between the segments and the fingers. Allow for a deviation of the centerline of the segments from the centerline of the fingers of the blade of 3. Depending on the design of the mower, the distance between the axes of the segments and tines is 76,2 mm and the stroke is shortened to 68 mm to reduce inertia forces during operation. That’s why in the rightmost position the centres of the segments should not reach the middle of the tines by 5 mm.
Adjusting the cutting unit inclination.
When mowing crops on uneven ground the cutting unit is tilted backwards to prevent the tines from digging into the ground. When grass is soft, tilt the cutterbar forwards so that the tines do not crush the grass but lift it. Tilt the cutter bar by turning the hinge relative to the drawbar.
Adjusting the cutting height of the grass.
Cutting height within a range of 5. 7 cm are set by repositioning the inner and outer shoe slats. When adjusting, observe farming specifications on cutting height and ground conditions.
Setting the position of the cutting unit relative to the connecting rod and the tractor.
For the mower to work correctly the cutter bar must be parallel to the rear axle of the tractor. In this case, the blade and connecting rod work in the same vertical plane. However, under the pressure of the cut grass and if there are gaps in the hinge joints, the mower cutter bar moves backwards. That’s why before starting the mower the external end of the finger bar is shifted forward by 35. 55 mm relative to the inner shoe (mowing unit run-in). Set the correct distance by turning the eccentric sleeve and, at the same time, changing the length of the drift pin. Mower mounted on tractor may be checked relative to a straight line parallel to the tractor’s rear wheels axle using a pin nose next to the inner shoe.
If holes in pivot points and inner shoe are developed or if pins connecting pivot point and shoe are worn, the outer end of cutter bar moves backwards. Return the machine to its initial position by turning the eccentric bushing to the left.
Adjust the tension of the drive belts by adjusting the drive pulley with the tensioning screw.
Adjusting the shoe pressure on the ground.
Stable driving is ensured by optimum loading of inner and outer shoes. Low shoe loads cause the cutterbar to bounce on uneven ground; higher loads cause the shoe to dig in. Optimal loads are considered: on the inner shoe 350-450 N, and on the outer. 90-150 N. Load on the shoes is checked with a dynamometer and adjusted by adjusting the tension of the compensation spring.
Adjusting the lifting mechanism.
When lifting the implement with the tractor linkage, the inner shoe should lift approx. 100-150 mm earlier than the outer shoe. This is achieved by adjusting the tensile link of the lifting mechanism. Tensioning of the compensation spring must be relieved prior to adjustment.
Lifting height and stability of cutter bar on the ground depends on which hole in the connecting bar the front lifting lever will be connected. When working with T-25 tractors, the front arm must be attached to the lower hole of the bar. When working with MTZ tractors. to the middle hole, and when working with other tractors. to the top hole.
To reliably separate cut and uncut grass and clear a path for the inner shoe of the cutter bar to pass during subsequent runs, it is necessary to bend the two upper bars of the field board depending on the height to tangle of the grass.
When converting mower for legume mowing remove cutterbar from mower and in its place place place cutterbar of device together with swath forming screen. Attach a stem lifter to every third toe. Set the angle between the soil surface and the top edge of the stem lifter to 15-16°.
How to make with your own hands
To make a segment mower for a power tiller with your own hands can any master who has experience in handling household tools.
- welding machine;
- angle grinder;
- electric drill;
- tape measure;
- level;
- wrench and screwdriver set;
- airbrush;
- steel profile (20×20 mm pipe, angle, 1 mm steel plate).
Homemade segment mower is made in this sequence:
- Layout.
- Marking, cutting pipes and angles into blanks, assembling frame.
- Sawing out the bases for fixing the tines and the cutting part. Boring holes in them for fixing the working tools.
- Grinding out teeth, sawing out cutting segments. If necessary, they are sharpened and hardened.
- Joining the upper and lower strip into one block. Installation of the clamp, skids and side limiters.
- Assembly of reciprocating mechanism and drive for connection to PTO.
- Hardware of the chassis. Skids with height adjustment device are used in most cases.
- Checking the performance, painting and lubricating the rubbing nodes.
Manufacturing instructions can be more detailed, depending on the options the do-it-yourselfer wants to equip his creation with.
Using segmental mowers with tractors
MTZ tractors have different power. But without the right equipment they’re just a useless piece of machinery. Segmental mower for MTZ can be included together with a plough or purchased separately. The special design of the model. Tines of segment mowers are made in the form of sharp fingers. They are mounted on two metal bars. When the mower is in motion, one of the tines vibrates and the other remains motionless. Tines are like big shears, scraping up grass, bushes or dry grass residue. The mower follows the ground contours and cuts the grass right to the root. Swampy and root-loaded terrain doesn’t fear the segment mower. The machine can be used for haymaking as well as for clearing suburban areas. The equipment helps to tidy up a firebreak in the forests or to clear weeds in the area between replicas or fruit trees.
Segment mowers for MTZ are differentiated by their capacity, output, configuration and the way of assembly with a tractor. There are segment models according to the way of mounting:
Among the agrarians the mounted and semi-mounted machines are in great demand. Let’s look at some popular models for MTZ tractors of different capacities.
Segmental mower KSF 2.1
Segmental mowers of KSF-2 type.1 produced by the Lyuberetsky plant “Selhozmash” (Russia, Moscow). This company is the successor of the factory Ukhtomsky and continuer of his longstanding business. the manufacture of haymaking equipment of various types and designs.
Purpose
KSF-2.1 Excellent for mowing. mainly on flat land. mowing a wide range of crops in a swath:
Usable for planned mowing in almost all climatic zones. no problems with the exception of semi-desert and desert areas. Photo of KSF-2 mower.1
Advantages and disadvantages
Apart from the ability to use in all weather conditions, segment mowers KSF-2.1 have a number of other advantages, for which they are valued by many farmers:
- High productivity, achieved by a relatively high speed of operation and a large width of simultaneous capture. more than 2 meters.
- Light weight of this mounted mowing equipment allows to work with it even on small types of transport devices.
- Low power consumption of the device will help to save money and does not affect the increase in the cost of hay when the volume of harvesting is reduced.
- Simple operation without hydraulics requires no additional operator personnel other than the pull tractor operator.
- Economical purchase of the machine and its spare parts which are available in all parts of the world.
- Quality work at high speed and a long lifetime. at the end of the operating period it is enough to change the cutting blades and the mower is ready for the mowing season again.
WARNING! The disadvantage of this device is its high demand for cleanliness of cultivated area, because stones, wood or metal objects can put it out of operation (breakage of segments, etc.).п.).
The device
KSF-2 mower.1 consists of the following main structural units and parts:
- The frame on which the other working tools are based and which is attached to the tractor’s headstock.
- A traction bar designed to link the working cutting tool and the frame of the device.
- Cutting blade with sharp segments (fingers).
In operation, the mower blade is driven in a forward/return motion parallel to the ground. In doing so, the stalks encountered in its path fall onto the fixed segments of the blade and are immediately pressed tightly against them by the moving blades. Grass cutting is similar to work of usual shears, leaving behind a strip of ready mowing. KCF-2 mower scheme.1
blade head; 2. blade head guides; 3. blade head cover; 4. inner shoe; 5. diverter bar; 6. outer shoe; 7. field board; 8. finger; 9. finger insert; 10. blade segment; 11. blade clamp; 12. blade back; 13. friction plate.
How and where to use KSF-2 mower.1
Mower carrying frame is suspended on the rear three-point of any domestic tractor: T-25; T-30; T-40; MTZ-80; YUMZ-6. Its mountings will most likely have to be adapted to foreign machines.
Work should be done on flat land for mowing. You can mow at speeds of up to 9 km/h on hilly pastures, agricultural fields with slopes as well as in the forest. Productivity will be up to 1,7 ha/h. the main thing is to have an area without big stones, high anthills and hillocks what can damage or break a mechanism of blades. Russian KSF-2 mowers.1B can’t cope with small woods and strong bushes. For such a “no-go area”, a different type of mower should be chosen!
These classic tractor mounted segment mowers are designed primarily for forage harvesting of seeded, coarse stemmed and natural grasses.
Device
KSF-2 mower.1 consists of the following main structural components:
- A frame on which the rest of the working tools are based and which has an attachment for mounting on the tractor hitch.
- The traction bar, designed to link the working cutting tool to the frame of the device.
- Cutting blade with sharp segments (fingers).
The mower blade is set in reciprocating motion parallel to the ground. At the same time, the stems encountered on its path fall onto the fixed segments of the leaf and are immediately pressed tightly against them by the movable blades. The grass cut is similar to the work of conventional scissors, leaving behind a strip of already finished mowing.
knife head; 2. guides of knife head; 3. knife head cover; 4. inner shoe; 5. diverting bar; 6. outer shoe; 7. field board; 8. finger; 9. finger insert; 10. knife segment; 11. knife clamp; 12. knife back; 13. friction plate.