McCormick-Deering Power Loader No. 30

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADJUSTING AND OPERATING

Reviewing materials in our archive, I came across this pamphlet and was struck with the design features of this loader which suggest something a capable farm welder might be able to build. There are unique features here, including but not limited to the sled runner feet that allow for a buckrake-like functionality – a ‘float’ if you will. It has always been my view that appropriate technology points towards those designs we can get our minds and hands around. Hope you also find some value in these materials. LRM

After the machine has been set up, go over it carefully to see that all nuts are thoroughly tightened and that all cotters are in place and spread.

LUBRICATION

The No. 30 Power Loader is designed to require a minimum amount of lubricating. However, careful and sufficient lubrication is the best insurance against delays, increases the life of the machine and saves many dollars in parts.

Keep the lubricant free from dust. The can containing your supply of lubricant should not be allowed to stand open so that dust can get into it. Dust is gritty and if carried into the bearings with the lubricant, will cut the bearings rapidly and cause them to heat excessively.

• It is important to wipe the dust from the fittings before lubricating.
• Use nothing but high-grade gear lubricant.
• Use a pressure lubricating gun once daily at the following points:
• 1/8” Straight Fittings:
• Two in stabilizer bearings.
• 1/4” Straight Fittings:
• Two in fork pivot bars.
• Four in toggle links.
• Four in lifting rods.
• Two in toggle link yoke pins.

A few drops of oil should be applied daily to all moving points where lubrication fitting are not provided.

Coat the stabilizer arms lightly with grease. Do not grease the stabilizer when the loader is used for loading sand, cinders and other gritty material.

PROPER QUANTITY OF OIL IN THE LIFTING SYSTEM

IMPORTANT: Hydraulic “Lift-All” pumps not having Fig. 8 and Letter A cast on pump body were not equipped with an oil seal around the pump control shaft. Leakage of oil around this shaft may result due to the use of the large cylinders necessary to operate the No. 30 Power Loader. Leakage of oil may be prevented by installing an improvement package composed of a control shaft and a control shaft seal. This improvement package may be obtained by ordering No. 494 028 R91.

The “Lift-All” pump was not designed to hold enough oil in reserve to fill the two 3” x 28” cylinders. The No. 30 Power Loader is a later development. Therefore, additional oil capacity has been incorporated in the loader design. This oil storage is in the FRONT END of each cylinder, Each cylinder is completely full of oil at all times. As oil is pumped in to force the piston to move, oil stored in the front end of the cylinder is returned to the pump chamber. Because of this construction, there is always enough oil for a full piston stroke if the oil system has been properly filled. Also when the loader is removed from the tractor, the cylinders are full of oil, which stays with the loader until it is again attached to the tractor. There is, of course, no room for this extra oil in the “Lift-All” pump chamber. Take notice of the location of each of the four hose unions. There is one on each cylinder and one on the tractor on each side. They are so located that when the tractor and loader are separated, the tractor hoses can be looped back to the tractor and each cylinder hose can be looped back to the other end of its cylinder to prevent loss of oil.

To properly fill the oil system, first COMPLETELY FILL the tractor pump chamber, preferably before attaching the loader hoses. Then attach the loader hoses.

When the Loader is first operated, the fork may not go all the way up. From this highest position, LOWER THE FORK THREE TO FOUR FEET and set the pump control rod to neutral position. Open the pipe assembly at the pipe union and again fill the pump chamber. Replace the pipe assembly.

The reason for lowering the fork before the second filling is to provide room for the cylinder piston rods when they recede into the cylinders as the fork is lowered. If the oil system is COMPLETELY filled with the fork off the ground, the difference in volume caused by forcing the piston rods back into the system will either prevent the fork from lowering all the way or create a dangerous oil pressure.

Insufficient quantity of oil is indicated whenever the loader fork performs satisfactorily only when close to the ground. The fork should lift steadily until the extreme height is reached. At this point, further motion is stopped automatically. If the lift is steady for a ways and then becomes unsteady, there is insufficient oil. An ample quantity of oil in the system will prevent this.

Should this loader become excessively slow in lifting a normal load, it may be that a piston cup in one of the cylinders has been damaged by some foreign substance in the system. Care should be taken to prevent the hose ends from touching the ground when disconnected. They should be thoroughly cleaned if necessary before being connected.

FORK ADJUSTMENT

The pitch of the fork may be altered to suit conditions. Three positions are provided. The pin on which the latch roller rotates may be shifted to any one of the three holes located in the fork latch arm. The center hole is for level digging. The lower hole will cause the fork to dig downward for breaking into packed material. The upper hole will cause the fork to dig upward.

TINE ADJUSTMENT

For best working conditions, the tip of the tines should be in a straight line. Should any of the tines be out of line, adjust them with washers at the rear end of the tines. The points of the tines are selfsharpening and each is individually removable with a shear bolt. Every other tine may be removed for handling straw.

WEARING SHOES

The wearing shoes located under the fork frame may be reversed for more even wear. Two additional holes are provided in the fork frame so the shoes can be located at the ends or toward the center. Where conditions are unusually severe, two more wearing shoes may be used in addition to the shoes furnished with the loader.

OPERATING

When manure is piled on a slope, approach the pile uphill and back away downhill.

Approach the pile with enough speed so the loader will ram into the pile. Traction alone is insufficient, especially with a Farmall-H Tractor.

Avoid operating sideways on a slope since this has a tendency to tip the loader.

When backing away from the pile, avoid making sharp turns. Maneuver the loader with gradual turns.

The tines may be influenced to bite, for some temporary condition, by a slight forward movement of the hand lever controlling the latch.

The lever may be located on either side of the tractor. To dump the load, push the lever forward. After dumping, the fork automatically returns to position.

The lifting motion may be controlled at any time by manual operation of the pump control rod. It is not advisable to elevate the load higher than is required for satisfactory dumping. Proper elevation avoids lowering the load or dropping same in the spreader with a shock.

When loading solid packed manure the tine cover should be removed as the fork will penetrate the pile much easier without it.

When the tine cover is not used, unhook the two springs from the fork frame. If the springs are left connected, they will cause the fork to return to position before completely dumping the load.

For the first fifteen inches of lift, while the shoes are in contact with the ground, the machine has lifting capacity in excess of requirements. Care and good judgment should be exercised in respect to the weight and height of the load after the shoes leave the ground. The higher any given load is carried, the less safe it becomes. Tractor stability is greatly influenced by a heavy load on the fork. Therefore, for safety to operator and tractor, no load should be carried higher or faster than is safe. Uneven or stony ground should be avoided or given due respect by limiting the load accordingly. These remarks apply to any mobile crane and the No. 30 Power Loader is in this class.

Should the fork be loaded to an unreasonable extent, the safety shoes will not leave the ground nor will the lift operate. This important safety feature prevents the loader from lifting unsafe loads, thus protecting both the operator and the tractor. It also prevents, or limits, the possible damage in case the ends of the fork are accidentally placed under a fixed object.

Another very good reason for caution in handling is to increase tire life. The front tractor tires are overloaded in proportion to the load carried in the fork. Speed and rough ground both reduce the life of the tire. If unreasonable loading of the fork is added to these first two factors, the results will not be satisfactory. Six-ply tires should be used if available and air pressure maintained at the high limit that is safe for the tire.

Wheel weights should always be used when operating the loader. Weights on the rear wheels and liquid solution in the rear tires are an excellent combination for smooth satisfactory performance. The more material there is in the fork, the less traction there is on the tractor rear wheels. Two weights on each rear wheel are a minimum for satisfactory traction. The same work can be done in less time when more traction is obtained by adding weight on the drawbar or liquid in the rear tires. Liquid in the front tires is not recommended.

TO DETACH THE LOADER FROM THE TRACTOR

No lifting is required to detach the loader from the tractor. One person can easily do the job by following the instructions given below.

IMPORTANT: Do not set the loader on props or blocks, but drop the loader on the ground, placing boards under the toggle shoes and the fork; this will prevent the loader from sinking or freezing in the ground.

1. While the fork is partly raised with the shoes resting on the ground, insert a pin or a bolt in the lower hole of each show push link before attempting to remove the loader from the tractor. This will support the loader exactly in position for attaching to the tractor.
2. Loop the hoses. Take notice of the location of each of the four hose unions. There is one on each cylinder and one on each side of the tractor. They are located so that the tractor hoses can be looped back to the tractor, and each cylinder hose can be looped back to the other end of its cylinder to prevent loss of oil.
3. Remove the two bolts which secure the stabilizer frame to the front end of the tractor and place them in the stabilizer arm to secure the arms.
4. Remove the bolts securing the stabilizer frame plates to the tractor.
5. Remove the clamps securing the lifting frame sides to the tractor axle.
6. Remove the air intake cap and the muffler from the tractor; back the tractor slowly away from the loader.