L.T. Rich Products Z-Plug Owner's Manual - page 13
SECTION 4
AERATOR OPERATIONS
4.1
Overview
The Z-Plug can cover 80,000 square feet per hour and produce up to 3 ½” cores. The full
floating tine head can maneuver around trees and beds while engaged. The 2,000 lb
hydraulic cylinder picks up the head in less than 2.5 seconds for turning around or getting
head up in the transport position. Forced in the opposite direction, the hydraulic cylinder
puts down force on the head adding weight to the tine head for deeper soil penetration.
Ball Swivel and pin attach points allow 30 degrees of pivot left to right for better steering
in the down position. The Ball Swivel and pin attach points also allow for easy attach and
disassemble of the Aerator head (or any other attachment designed for the Z-Plug).
**Your unit may be equipped with other attachments such as the 120 lb Hopper, 30
gallon spray system, 36” Slice Seeder, 46” De-thatch Rake, 40” Spiker or the 52”
Snow Plow/Blade. These attachments will be referenced in sections to come in this
manual**
4.2
Operations
Upon turning the key on to start the unit, apply full choke. Once unit has started, release
(push down or pull down) first the choke and then the brake lever. Bring unit up to a
comfortable speed with the Control Lever. When you arrive to desired aerating area, use
the hydraulic Lift Valve Lever (or Thumb Switch) to lower aerator tines into the turf
(aerator head can float up to 30 degrees and make gradual turns around beds and trees).
Once you have come to a designated turnaround location, use hydraulic Lift Valve Lever
(or Thumb Switch from 2013 to current)
to lift tine head in transport position. Make
designated turn and repeat process of lowering tine head into turf and precede aeration.
If aerating on hillsides, the Z-Plug has been equipped with the Patent Pending Locking
Caster System. This allows an operator to lock the front caster wheels straightforward
giving the unit more side hill stability. This feature is applied by using the foot pedal
located on the right side on the foot pan. To release Locking Caster System, simply take
pressure off of foot pedal.
4.3
Aerator Tine Head Removal
The aerator tine head is removable for service, cleaning and removing from traction unit
to install other attachments. To remove the tine head from the traction unit, first adjust
the hydraulic cylinder so that the tine head starts to make contact with the ground (taking
weight off of the head). Pull pin disconnecting the ball swivel linkage to the aerator head.
Lower cylinder releasing tension on the chains and remove the 2 ball swivel chains
connected to the outer frame section (welded to chain and spring supports).
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