Operating Instructions
- Precautions
- Adjusting the Height of the Top Pruner
- On/Off and Kill Switches
- Controlling the Reel Speed
- Controlling the Cutter Speed
- Controlling the Cutter/Reel Assembly's Travel Speed
- Emptying the Debris Collection Bin
- Ensure that the 120-volt electrical outlet the
voltage transformer is plugged into is a properly
grounded ground fault interrupter receptacle in
a circuit with a circuit breaker rated for at least
15 amperes.
- Don't operate the top pruner when the floor is
wet.
- Wear rubber insulated boots or athletic shoes
with rubber soles when top pruning.
- Ensure that the greenhouse watering system
does not come on during top pruning.
- Keep hands away from the cutter and moving parts during top pruning operations.
Adjusting the Height of the Top Pruner
Each corner of the top pruner has a trailer jack (figure 15). Move the top pruner's frame over the plants to be top pruned. Crank the jack handles until the cutting blade is positioned to cut the plants at the desired height. The distance from the top of the crossbar of the jack stand assembly to the cutting edge of the hedge trimmer is 6 inches. Use the jack-mounted bubble levels when adjusting the jack stands' height. Use a tape measure to check the height of all jack stands. Seven full cranks raise the jacks 1 inch.
Figure 15—Leveling the top pruner.
An on/off switch and power indicator light are on the voltage converter box. There is also an on/off switch on the master control panel. The top pruner has three kill switches—one permanently mounted on the master control panel, one on the cutter/reel assembly, and one on the jack stand crossbar on the opposite end of the rail system from the master control panel.
The left controller (manufactured by Dart) on the master control panel (figure 16) varies the speed of the reel and allows the reel to be reversed or stopped. The reel's rotation pulls the vegetation into the cutter blades. The optimum reel speed depends on the plant species being pruned. As a general rule, the reel works better at slower speeds. The reel can be configured to operate with two, three, or four rubber paddles.
Figure 16—The master control panel.
The center box on the master control panel contains a Variac (variable autotransformer) that controls the speed of the cutter's blades. The optimum speed depends on the plant species being pruned. As a general rule, the blades cut better when they are cutting faster.
Controlling the Cutter/Reel Assembly's Travel Speed
The travel speed of the cutter/reel assembly can be controlled by a handcrank (figure 17a) or by a variable-speed cordless drill. The handcrank allows a slow, precise cut. The drawback of this method is operator fatigue. A 9.6-volt, variable-speed cordless drill with a ¾-inch socket (figure 17b) can also be used to move the cutter/reel assembly down the rail. The drawback of this method is that the operator may become tired of holding the drill trigger in the proper position. Some operators prefer to cut the crop slowly by using the handcrank, relying on the drill to return the cutter/reel assembly quickly when the debris collection bin needs to be emptied.
Figure 17a—Using the handcrank to move the cutter/reel assembly.
Figure 17b—Using a hand drill to move the cutter/reel assembly.
Emptying the Debris Collection Bin
When the debris collection bin (figures 18a and 18b) is full, move the cutter/reel assembly to the end of the rail where the master control box is mounted. Raise the door on the side of the bin and slide the retaining latch to keep the door up. Align a cardboard box or plastic trash can with the bin's opening. Use a short rake to drag debris from the bin into the container.
Figure 18a—The debris collection bin for the cut tops.
Figure 18b—Use a short rake to pull the cut tops from the collection bin
into a cardboard box or trash can lined with a garbage bag.
