Pöttinger Vitasem A 251 / 301 / 401 mounted mechanical seed drill service schedule
Drills · Manual 99 8537.GB.80K.0 (valid from chassis 01001)
Covers the Pöttinger Vitasem A 251 / 301 / 401 mounted mechanical seed drill (types 8537, 8538, 8539) with Multitronic.
Every maker's service job for the Pöttinger Vitasem A 251 / 301 / 401 mounted mechanical seed drill, counted in hours, with the oils, filters and parts each one needs. Add your implement to Farmyard Workshop and it works out what's due from your hours and dates, and keeps the service history.
Track your Vitasem A 251 / 301 / 401 mounted mechanical seed drill for freeVersions: Vitasem A 251 (2.5 m, type 8537); Vitasem A 301 (3.0 m, type 8538); Vitasem A 401 (4.0 m, type 8539)
Service intervals
| Job | When |
|---|---|
| Re-tighten screws after the first 8 hours | every 8 hours |
| Greasing (all bearings every 50 hours) | every 50 hours |
| Chain drives and agitator chain tension | every 50 hours |
| Variable-speed transmission oil level | every year |
| Gate and sensor check before sowing | every year |
| Hydraulic hoses and cleaning | every year |
| Winter storage | every year |
Service jobs and parts
Re-tighten screws after the first 8 hours
Frame · every 8 hours
Pöttinger says retighten all screws after the first 8 hours or so of use, then check at regular intervals. It also lists checking the hydraulic unit for leaks after 10 hours.
Step-by-step
- Park the drill on firm ground, stop the tractor and take the key out.
- Go over the frame, hopper, coulter bar and tool-bar bolts and tighten any that have moved.
- Retighten the chain drives, and check hydraulic lines and fittings for tightness.
Tools: Spanner set
Greasing (all bearings every 50 hours)
Lubrication · every 50 hours
Pöttinger says grease all bearings, including the disc bearings of the row marker and tramline markers, about every 50 operating hours with lithium multi-purpose grease. Grease the chain drives and keep the joints, spindles and sowing roller sleeves moving.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium multi-purpose grease | 1 | Lithium-based multi-purpose grease | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Stop the tractor and take the key out. Do not work under a raised drill without supports.
- Grease every bearing and the disc bearings of the row marker and tramline markers.
- Grease the chain drives.
- Keep the joints, spindles and sowing roller sleeves (tramline control) moving, but never oil the sowing shaft or the seed pipes.
Tools: Grease gun, Oil can
Chain drives and agitator chain tension
Drive · every 50 hours
Pöttinger says grease the chain drives and retighten them. The chain drive and agitator tension points are listed in the manual's maintenance pages.
Step-by-step
- Look at each chain for wear and rust and grease it.
- Retighten the chain drives at points 79/1 and 79/2, and for the agitator at the points in the setup pages.
- For disc coulters, keep the discs clean and check the scrapers.
Tools: Spanners, Grease gun
Variable-speed transmission oil level
Transmission · every year
The transmission is a permanent fill of 2.5 L. Pöttinger says check the level on the dipstick and top up with HLP 32 hydraulic oil if needed. Check it at the start of each season.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic oil | 1 | HLP 32. Top up only. 2.5 L is the full fill. Aztec Oils match: HYDRATEC HM 32 | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Park the drill level and stop the tractor.
- Pull the dipstick (78/1) and check the oil level. Top up with HLP 32 if it is low.
Tools: Funnel, Rags
Gate and sensor check before sowing
Seed system · every year
Before sowing with an empty hopper, Pöttinger says check every metering gate with the adjusting gauge so the seed rate is even, and check the sensors are 1–3 mm from their targets.
Step-by-step
- With the hopper empty, set the gate lever to 1 and turn the sowing shaft until the groove points downward.
- Slide the adjusting gauge between the sowing roller and the gate beside the middle row of cams and turn it from top to bottom until the handle rests on the sowing box. It must fit without play.
- If it does not, slacken the screws, readjust, and retighten with no play.
- Set the sensors 1–3 mm apart. The LED in each sensor shows whether it is working.
Tools: Adjusting gauge (supplied), Spanner
Hydraulic hoses and cleaning
Hydraulics · every year
Pöttinger says check the hydraulic pipes at regular intervals and replace damaged or worn ones. They age naturally: do not use them for more than 5–6 years. Keep the water jet off electrical parts and bearings.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic hose | 1 | See the spare parts list. Genuine Pöttinger hose | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Release the hydraulic pressure and look at every hose.
- Replace any hose that is damaged, worn or older than 5–6 years.
- When washing, do not point a water jet at magnetic couplings, cable connections or the single-disc coulter bearings.
- Wipe the Multitronic keyboard with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not immerse it.
Tools: Spanners, Rags
Winter storage
Storage · every year
Pöttinger's winter routine: clean thoroughly, protect from the weather, change or top up gear oil, protect exposed parts from rust and grease all points. Coat piston rods with grease if parked outside.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grease | 1 | For rods and bare parts | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Empty and clean the hopper and seed system thoroughly.
- Clean the machine, avoiding high pressure on bearings and hydraulics.
- Lubricate all points to the chart and protect exposed parts from rust.
- Retouch any paint damage.
Tools: Brush, Grease gun
Oils, fluids and capacities
| System | Oil or spec | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Variable-speed transmission (oil bath) | HLP 32 hydraulic oil (permanent fill; top up only) | 2.5 L |
| Grease points and disc bearings | Lithium-based multi-purpose grease | |
| Chain drives | Grease |
Specifications
| Retighten screws | After about 8 hours of first use, then check regularly |
| Sensor gap (Multitronic) | 1–3 mm |
| Hydraulic hose life | Not more than 5–6 years |
| Hydraulic unit check | After the first 10 hours, then every 50 hours |
| Multitronic fuse | 6 A multi-fuse in the power supply plug; operating voltage +10 to +15 V |
Known problems
Oiling the sowing shaft
Do not oil the sowing shaft or the seed pipes.
Welding on the tractor
When welding on the tractor or the drill, or jump-starting, disconnect from the electronics box first.
Sources
More from Pöttinger.