Instruction Manual

V Express

Hydraulic Powered Sheep

and Goat Handler

2009

Page 2

Contents

1.0 General Description of Product 3

2.0 Safety Precautions 4

3.0 Operating Procedures

3.1 Before Use 5

3.2 Operating 6

4.0 Diagram of Product 7

5.0 Recommended Maintenance 10

6.0 Exploded View of Drive Mechanism 13

7.0 Petrol Power Pack 14

8.0 Electric Power Pack 16

Instruction Manual for V-Express

Hydraulic Powered Sheep & Goat Handler

Page 3

1.0 General Description of Product

The V-Express is a hydraulic powered sheep and goat handling machine

designed to eliminate much of the heavy manual work associated with such

tasks as drenching, feet trimming, ear tagging, mouthing, crutching,

vaccinating, capsuling, wool classing, preg testing, dehorning etc.

The animal enters the machine at ground level, is caught and held in place

by 2 conveyor belts that move the animal forward and upward taking their

feet off the ground, thus making them easier to work on. From this position

the animal can be moved onto its back if required.

Animals can be moved forward or backward by means of a foot pedal

operated from anywhere beside the machine.

For activities such as drenching a „lock on‟ feature allows for the continuous

operation of the machine.

The machine is connected to the power pack by 10 metre hydraulic hoses,

allowing the power pack to be positioned out of the way of the operator and

also reducing noise distraction to the animals.

The hydraulic system is powered either by an electric or petrol engine driven

power pack.

Page 4

2.0 Safety Precautions

1. Ensure operator understands the contents of this manual before using

the V-Express.

2. Do not wear loose clothing that could become caught in moving parts.

3. Ensure the V-Express is located on a firm, level, dry surface, free of

rocks and other trip hazards.

4. Do not allow children to be in close proximity of operating machine.

5. Do not allow any person to ride, or attempt to ride on conveyor belts.

DISCLAIMER

All farming machinery and equipment is potentially dangerous and careless

use may cause injury or damage to persons or property.

Arrow Farmquip Pty Ltd has taken all care in the design and manufacture of

this product to ensure it is safe if used in accordance to these instructions.

The user must therefore assume all responsibility and risk associated with

the possession and use of the V-Express Hydraulic Sheep and Goat Handler.

Page 5

3.0 Operating Procedures Note: Numbers refer to machine parts on page 7

3.1 Before Using the V-Express 1. Ensure machine is located on a firm, level, dry surface free of rocks

and other trip hazards.

2. Check condition of hydraulic hoses for leaks and damage.

3. Ensure hydraulic hoses are positioned so as to minimise trip hazard

4. Ensure all motor/belt guards are fitted - (1,2,3,4)

5. Check condition of conveyor belts (10) for tension and wear - see

diagram C (page 9) for belt tensioning procedure.

6. Ensure all belts are located correctly in belt guide - (9)

7. For petrol engine power pack

check levels of engine fuel and oil

ensure hydraulic oil level is at least 3/4 capacity

8. For Electric Power Pack

ensure currency of electric lead test tags

ensure suitable 15 amp plug is used

ensure electric leads are located so as not to be a trip hazard for

operator

ensure hydraulic oil level is at least 3/4 capacity

9. Adjust distance between conveyor belts to suit animal size -

adjustment control (11) - see diagram B (page 8).

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3.2 Operating V-Express

Warning: Before starting Power Pack ensure hydraulic hoses are connected

to V-Express Ensure all checks made in accordance with “Before Using V-

Express”, page 5

Note numbers refer to machine parts on page 7.

1. Activate conveyor belts by pressing foot down on foot control throttle

bar (8)

2. Direction of belts may be reversed by lifting foot control throttle bar

3. To activate “auto ON” function, use lever (7)

4. To deactivate “Auto ON” function, press down the foot control

throttle bar with a quick action.

5. To roll animal onto it‟s back - place arm under animal‟s neck and lift,

at the same time activate the conveyor, and as the animal is conveyed

forward it will be placed on its back.

6. Prior to exiting animal from machine, return animal to upright position

by reversing the above procedure.

WARNING: When working on animal while it is on its back, ensure its legs are

pointing away from the operator to avoid being struck.

Page 7

Key

1. Drive Cover - L/R

2. End Cap - L/R

3. Side Panel - L/R

4. Main Side Panel

5. Rear Jump Shield

6. Front Jump Shield L/R

(removed)

7. Auto ON lever

8. Throttle Bar Foot Control L/R

10. Throttle Bar Foot Control - L/R

11. Belt Guide - L/R

12. Rubber Conveyor Belt - L/R

13. Animal Size Adjustment

Control (See Diagram. B, pg 7,

for details)

14. Throttle Balance Adjustment -

holds throttle bar in neutral

position

4.0 Diagram of Product - Diagram A

Page 8

Width Adjustment - Diagram B

To adjust width of V-Express:

1. Locate width adjustment nuts (11) (one at the front and one at the

rear of the machine) Only one side of the machine adjusts.

2. Using the speed brace supplied with the machine, wind the

adjustment nuts (11) to adjust the width of the machine. It is

important to make equal adjustments to the front and rear nuts so

that the machine sides remain parallel.

3. If the machine sides are not parallel then the throttle levers will not

operate correctly.

11

Page 9

Belt Tension Adjustment - Diagram C

To tension belt:

1. Loosen locknuts (17)

2. Screw adjustment nuts (16) until tension is correct

3. Re-tighten locknuts

Page 10

5.0 Recommended Maintenance

Note: Numbers refer to machine parts on pages 7, 11 and 13.

Daily

1. Check belts (10) for tension, wear and tracking (graphite powder

under belt can help)

2. Check Power Pack hydraulic oil level - must be at least 3/4 capacity -

top up with Castrol AWS 46 or similar

3. Check that foot control throttle is working on both sides of the

machine (lubricate moving parts as necessary)

Weekly

1. Drive chains - remove covers (1), check condition and tension of chain

(18) (maximum 5mm play), & lubricate with suitable chain grease or

spray on lithium grease

2. Pulley bearing mounts (19), one at each end of machine, top and

bottom of wheel - check bolts and nuts - pulley shafts should be flush

with bottom of bearing

3. Taper Lock Sprockets (20) - check tension of grub screws

4. Ensure chain sprockets are operating in same plane, to avoid bending

or twisting of chain

5. Ensure conveyor belt (10) is not rubbing on metal frame

6. Check auto ON feature (21,22) activates and releases satisfactorily

WARNING: ensure all covers are correctly replaced when service is

completed and before machine is operated.

Page 11

5.0 Recommended Maintenance (continued)

Throttle Control

Page 12

5.0 Recommended Maintenance (continued)

Throttle Control

(21) - adjustable catch for auto ON (22) - ratchet arm for auto ON When

throttle bar foot control (8) is fully depressed, ratchet arm (22) should go

past the catch (21) which will release the auto ON feature. Catch (21)

position can be altered to make this operate correctly.

Throttle position balance (12) can be adjusted by altering nut position on

threaded shaft to give correct spring tension on throttle bar foot control so

it always returns to a neutral position when foot pressure is removed from

throttle bar.

Hydraulic valve arm (23) attached to throttle bar foot control can be

adjusted to obtain correct forward and reverse operation.

Page 13

Page 14

Arrow Farmquip Petrol Power Pack Maintenance

Hydraulic Oil Level

Oil must be visible in the sight glass when the machine is running. (The correct

level is indicated in the sight glass by the red line) If the oil level is low it can

be topped up using AWS 46 Hydraulic Oil. This tank has a capacity of 10 litres.

Suggested Maintenance: Hydraulic Oil should be changed every 500 hours or 2

years. Also it is recommended to replace the inlet filter (CR40) on the lid of

the tank at the same time.

Motor

Refer to the Motor Handbook for care and maintenance of the petrol motor.

(6.5hp Honda)

Hydraulic Pump Hoses and Connections

The hydraulic pump requires no special maintenance. Keep connections clean

and check hoses for leaks

Trouble Shooting Guide

If motor doesn‟t start — check fuel turned on, or check there is fuel in fuel

tank.

If motor will not turn over or hard to turn over — check hydraulic couplings are

correctly coupled together. If there is no correct flow path for the oil, the

pressure will build up in the hoses and the motor will lock. Pressure can be

released by wrapping a rag around a coupling, and then loosen coupling from

the hose fitting, using correct spanners. When pressure released, then

retighten coupling and hose fitting. Retry motor.

Page 15

Sight Glass

Drain Plug

Oil Filler Cap

Oil coupling

(return to tank)

Replaceable

filter element

Pump

Page 16

Arrow Farmquip Electric Power Pack Maintenance

Hydraulic Oil Level

Hydraulic Tank has a filler cap (B) which has a dipstick attached to cap. Make

sure oil level is showing on dipstick. If the oil level is low it can be topped up

using AWS 46 Hydraulic Oil. This tank has a capacity of 10 litres.

Suggested Maintenance: Hydraulic Oil should be changed every 500 hours or 2

years.

Electric Motor

This motor requires a 240V 15amp power supply.

Hoses and Connections

Check for leaks. Keep connections clean.

Trouble Shooting Guide

If motor doesn‟t turn on — check power supply is correct connections — fuse is

not blown in power supply box— do not use an excessive length power exten-

sion cord.

If motor will not turn over or hard to turn over — check hydraulic couplings are

correctly coupled together. If there is no correct flow path for the oil, the

pressure will build up in the hoses and the motor will lock. Pressure can be

released by wrapping a rag around a coupling, and then loosen coupling from

the hose fitting, using correct spanners. When pressure released, then re-

tighten coupling and hose fitting. Retry motor.

Page 17

Page 18

For further information contact Arrow Farmquip Pty Ltd

Customer Service Freecall 1800 804 107

Disclaimer: All farming machinery and equipment is potentially dangerous and

careless use may cause personal injury or damage to property. Arrow Farmquip Pty

Ltd has taken all care in the design and manufacture of this product to ensure it is

safe if used in accordance with these instructions. The user must therefore assume

all responsibility and risk associated with the possession and use of the V-Express

Hydraulic Sheep and Goat Handler.

This instruction manual is for the V-Express Hydraulic Sheep and Goat

Handler - just one of the many quality livestock handling products proudly

supplied by Arrow Farmquip Pty Ltd.

Other products provide a full range of solutions for the safe and efficient

handling of cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas and horses and include:

Cattle crushes featuring the Q-Catch Headbail

Permanent and mobile stockyards and loading ramps

Calf cradles, lamb marking cradles

Grain and hay feeders

Sheep and cattle weigh crates and scales

Page 19

Arrow Farmquip Pty Ltd

FREECALL 1800 814 107

20 Cook Street

Tamworth NSW 2340 Australia

Tel +61 2 6764 1700

Fax +61 2 6762 2691