11. EXPLANATION OF COMPONENTS 11.5.8 RIPPER CONTROL LEVER This lever controls all operation of the ripper; raise, hold and lower. REMARK Holding the lever in any position except HOLD for an extended period of time after the cylinder rod has reached the limit of its travel will produce excessive heat in the hydraulic system which may affect equipment per- formance. 11.5.8.1 LOWER Push the control lever forward to lower the ripper. When released the lever will return to the hold position. 11.5.8.2 HOLD The control lever will return automatically to the hold position from either the lower or raise position when released.
The ripper will remain in the same position it was when the control lever was released. II 58.3 RAISE Pull the control lever back to raise the ripper. When released the lever will return to the hold position. 11.5.8.4 OPERATING TECHNIQUES Lower the ripper to the ground before making any adjustments or whenever the machine is to be idle for any length of time. I A WARN’NG / When starting to rip, lower the ripper slowly until the desired penetration is achieved. If the machine will not pull three shanks through the material to be ripped, the center shank must be removed, using only the two end shanks.
In very hard material, it is normal practice to remove the two end shanks and use only the center shank for ripping. Rock and shale will often rip easier in one direction than it will in another, so, where it is possible, try ripping at various angles until the best results are obtained. Ripping should be done at depths giving the greatest production without overloading the machine engine. Try to keep the area being ripped as level as possible. Care must be exercised not to jack the rear of the machine off the ground when ripping, as this results in loss of tractive effort and increases wear on the track system of the machine.
It is advisable to raise the shanks out of the ground when making turns of 15” or more. Turns of more than 15” with the shanks in the ground put undue strain on the ripper and machine and repeated practice could cause serious damage. 2-l 8