McConnel PA ECO Series hedgecutter service schedule

1. Lower the flail head to the ground, switch off the PTO, stop the tractor and take the key out.
2. Wipe each grease nipple clean and give it grease until a little fresh grease shows at the joint. The handbook has a lubrication diagram showing every point.
3. Include the rotor bearings and the roller bearings on the head.
4. Wipe off the extra grease so dirt does not stick to it.

Tools: Grease gun, Rag

1. Lower the head to the ground, switch off the PTO, stop the tractor, take the key out and wait for the rotor to stop.
2. Look at every flail. A broken or lost one must be replaced; replace flails in pairs so the rotor stays balanced.
3. Check the flail bolts and rotor bolts at 203 Nm and the motor bolts and roller end cap screws at 52 Nm.
4. Check the front hood, flaps and roller. McConnel says replace a rubber flap as soon as a split is half the flap height.

Tools: Torque wrench, Sockets and spanners, Eye protection and gloves

1. With the machine stopped and pressure released, look along every hose for chafing, wet fittings and damaged braid.
2. A hose with damage to the outer cover only can be taped over; one with damaged braid should be replaced at the earliest chance.
3. Replace one hose at a time and hold the union with a second spanner. Torque soft-seal nuts to 24 Nm (1/4"), 33 Nm (3/8"), 44 Nm (1/2"), 58 Nm (5/8"), 84 Nm (3/4"), 115 Nm (1").
4. Because soft seals hold pressure at finger tight, slacken the nut and flex the hose to release pressure before taking a fitting apart.

Tools: Spanners (two per fitting), Torque wrench, Cardboard for leak checking

1. Stop the machine and let it cool.
2. Blow the cooler matrix clear from the clean side with an air line.
3. Look for bent fins and oil weeping from the cooler joints.

Tools: Compressed air line, Soft brush

1. Disengage the PTO, stop the tractor and take the key out.
2. Prise open the shield clasps with screwdrivers and slide the shield back to reach the joint grease point and the shield ring grease point.
3. Grease the joints and the sliding tubes every 25 hours. Grease the shield ring points every 100 hours.
4. Slide the shield back and make sure the clasps re-engage. Fit the torque chains so the shield cannot turn.

Tools: Grease gun, Screwdrivers

1. Lower the head to the ground, switch off the PTO, stop the tractor and take the key out.
2. Take off the end caps where you can and look at each bush. Replace any with play or a worn lining.
3. On telescopic arms check the slide pads for wear.
4. Check all nuts and bolts for tightness weekly.

Tools: Spanners, Grease gun

1. Lower the flail head to the ground, switch off the PTO, stop the tractor and take the key out.
2. Clean around the filter head and the tank cap before opening anything. Dirt is the main cause of hydraulic failures.
3. Change the return line element. On a new machine do this at 100 hours, then every 500 hours or once a year.
4. Look at the oil. If it is dark, smells burnt or looks yellow or milky, drain the tank, fit new strainers and a new return element, and refill with clean oil of the right grade.
5. Refill to between the min and max marks on the tank gauge. Run the PTO for a minute or so with the rotor off so the oil passes through the filter, then top up. The level falls as the circuit fills.
6. If you changed the oil, change the return element again after 100 hours of work.

Tools: Filter wrench or spanners, Clean drip tray, Clean rags, Clean oil container and funnel

1. Lower the head, switch off the PTO, stop the tractor and take the key out.
2. Drain the gearbox through the drain plug on the base, ideally while the oil is warm.
3. Refit the drain plug. Take out the filler and level plugs and pour oil in through the filler until it starts to run from the level plug hole.
4. Refit both plugs and tighten them. On a new machine make the first change at 50 hours.

Tools: Small drain tray, Spanners, Funnel

1. Lower the head, switch off the PTO, stop the tractor and take the key out.
2. Clean around the breather, unscrew it and fit the new one.
3. Check the tank level while you are there.

Tools: Spanner, Clean rag

1. Wash the machine and remove cut vegetation, especially from the slew post and tank area.
2. Grease every point fully, as for the daily service.
3. Smear grease on the exposed parts of the ram rods and wipe it off before the rams are next moved.
4. Close the slew and lift locks and set the storage legs.
5. Tie canvas over the controls. Do not use a plastic fertiliser bag, which can cause rapid corrosion.
6. In spring, check the gearbox and tank levels and grease again before the first day's work.

Tools: Pressure washer, Grease gun, Canvas or tarpaulin