Summers 3-Rank Superweeder - Manual (Page 6)

SECTION 1 - SAFETY
SAFETY DURING TRANSPORT
1. ONLY TOW at a safe speed. Use caution when making corners or meeting traffic.
2. USE a safety chain between tractor drawbar and implement hitch when transporting on public roads.
3. ALWAYS use transport locks when transporting on public roads.
4. COMPLY with local lighting, marking and maximum width regulations when transporting on highways.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON 16 & 20 FT. HITCH MACHINES
WITH NEGATIVE HITCH WEIGHT
1-2
WARNING
Because of the large wing size of certain Summers
Culti-Harrows and because of the added weight on
all Summers Superweeders and Superharrows, the
hitch on these machines often becomes “light” in
transport position. This means that there is no down-
ward weight on the hitch and as a result, the hitch
will rise if unhitched. In these cases, special precau-
tions must be taken as discussed below. This condi-
tion can exist even if the hitch is equipped with a spray
or granular attachment.
NEVER unhitch a machine that has been opened up
into field position and has not been completely low-
ered to the ground. If the machine has been com-
pletely lowered to the ground and parked in a level
area, it may be unhitched with ordinary care. NEVER
unhitch a machine in transport position from a trac-
tor, pickup, truck or other towing unit unless the fol-
lowing precautions are taken.
1. Determine if the hitch has a positive or negative weight.
Insure that there is no side pressure on the hitch pin be-
fore determining positive or negative tongue weight. If
the Culti-Harrow, Superweeder and Superharrow’s hitch
piece or clevis is resting on the towing unit’s hitch and
cannot be lifted off, positive tongue weight exists. The
machine can be unhitched by lowering the hitch jack, sta-
bilizing with one wing tube jack and following steps 2 and
4. If positive tongue weight does not exist, follow steps
2 through 4.
2. Park the machine on a level area and block the hitch
tires and wing transport tires so the machine cannot roll
forward or backward. This is very important even if the
machine is parked on level ground, strong winds often
move unblocked machines.
3. Lower the wing tube jacks until enough weight is
transferred to the hitch to keep it from rising. Check
this by observing the machine hitch. With the hitch pin
installed but not binding with the machine hitch, check
that the machine hitch no longer has a tendency to rise.
4. Disconnect all hydraulic lines. Again check that the
hitch pin is free. There should be no side force on the
pin and it should turn freely. If free, stand off to the left
side of the hitch and remove the hitch pin. Carefully
drive ahead.
IMPORTANT: The positioning of the transport wheel
assemblies on the wing tubes of the machine is very
critical in determining hitch weight. Moving trans-
port wheel assemblies forward will increase hitch
weight and moving them rearward will decrease
hitch weight.