Softhands LX200 | LM100
Bale Handlers
Original Instruction
Dear Customer,
Welcome to the Hustler family!
We’re delighted to know that we can make a difference in your operation and would love to take this opportunity while you’re reading this instruction manual to say a special THANK YOU for purchasing a Hustler!
We hope you enjoyed dealing with us and our business partner(s) and trust that we contributed to make your purchasing journey easy.
Here at Hustler we are on a mission to help farmers and ranchers ‘Achieve More Everyday’ with the ‘World’s Best Livestock Feeding Solutions’. If at any stage you have any queries/questions or even a feel like a chat, our passionate team would value the opportunity to help.
We hope you enjoy your Hustler as much as we do, for many years to come.
Thanks again, hopefully we will meet someday.
Kindest Regards
Brent Currie CEO
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing a HUSTLER ‘SOFTHANDS’ Bale Grab. Please read through this manual as it contains important information which you need to know.
Please take special note of the warnings on page 4 and routine servicing on page 7.
Your robust HUSTLER ‘SOFTHANDS’ is a quality farm investment that with correct maintenance and operation this machine will give many years of service. Should you have any questions please contact the dealer who supplied you this machine. They have trained technicians who will be able to help you.
IMPORTANT
• Please ensure this booklet is read and understood by every operator of this machine.
• Also ensure that this booklet goes with the machine if it is resold and is read and understood by owner.
SPECIFICATIONS
Pressure 2250 - 3000
Flow
10-60 litres per minute
Hydraulic Requirements:
1x set of double acting hydraulics
Tractor Size:
At least 50 HP - Large enough to safely carry SOFTHANDS and 1 bale up to 1000kgs. LX200 can carry 2 bales up to 1000kg’s each.
Machine Weight
LM100 - 150kgs | LX200 - 220kgs
Machine Capacity
LM100 - 1000kgs | LX200 - 2000kgs
WARRANTY
All machinery manufactured by Hustler in 2023 or later is covered by a 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects for the original purchaser from an authorised Hustler dealership. In the rare event that a defect is discovered, we will repair or replace the product or part at our discretion. To enjoy the benefits of our warranty, simply register your Hustler equipment online at www. hustlerequipment.com/warranty and ensure that servicing or warranty claims are processed through an authorised Hustler Dealership (original proof of purchase is required).
Exclusions
- Puck board floors on wagons are covered for 10 years, except for fading and conditions caused by excessive ultraviolet light (UV) or outdoor exposure.
- Components are covered against damage due to manufacturing defects for the original purchaser for a period of 2 years. While we carefully select the highest-quality components for our equipment, the manufacturing of these components is outside our control. These include for example:
> Hydraulic components – hose valve blocks, motors, gearboxes, rams & grease lines
> Chains & bars
> Jack stands & tow eyes.
> Axles, hubs
> Tines
> Electronics – loadcells, Feedlink units, junction box, joysticks, spray controllers, lights, looms, solenoids, GPS systems, flow meter, sprayer valves.
> Bearings, shafts, sprockets & drive couplers.
> Plastic Covers.
> Other components.
- Paint and finish are covered for 1 year (normal wear-and-tear from general use is not covered).
- Wearing parts are covered against faulty workmanship or manufacturing defect for the original purchaser, but not for normal wear, consumption, or expiration. These include:
> Batteries
> Filters
> Tires
> Wear pads
> Brake pads
> Chain slides / guides
> Bushes
> Towing eyes or pins
> Harrow rings & casings
Labour is covered for all warranty repairs including a reasonable allowance for travel time, but mileage is excluded.
Damage or injury due to ordinary wear and tear, neglect, misuse, abuse, alterations, or modifications, accidental or intentional destruction, incorrect maintenance or storage are not covered.
Consequential damage is not covered, including continued use of the product after any defect became apparent to the user.
Damage due to modifications or alterations made to the product.
Hustler Equipment International are not responsible for any impact to business or financial loss due to the failure of machinery or component. This includes but not limited to:
> Personal liability.
> Work contract or agreements
> Revenue in profit.
Machines Manufactured PRE 2023:
> Production
> Increase in a business overhead cost
- Bale feeders, Bale handlers, Sprayers: 2 years warranty if registered. 4-year warranty if registered online.
- Sprayer Electronic Components & GPS: 1 year.
- Combis, Silage Wagons, Tip Trailers & Accessories: 2 years.
WARNINGS
• BEFORE attempting maintenance or any work, ENSURE the bale grab is lowered to the ground and the tractor/telehandler engine is shut off.
• NO alteration or modification is to be done on this machine unless undertaken by Hustler or its authorised dealer. This will void the warranty.
• DO NOT allow any person(s) to ride on the machine. Mishap may cause DEATH or INJURY.
• DO NOT allow anyone to stand between the arms, especially with the tractor running.
• ENSURE all persons are well clear of the bale grab when operating.
• ALWAYS travel with the unit as close to the ground as practical to maximize stability. Take EXTREME care when carrying a bale and driving on uneven ground, ensure vehicle doesn’t roll over. A roll over may cause DEATH or INJURY.
• ENSURE the bale grab is securely fastened to the loader before operation.
• EXTREME care is required when the loader is at full height – DO NOT crowd back with a bale.
• DO NOT attempt to lift a bale that weighs over 1000kg’s with the LM100 SOFTHANDS or two 1000kg’s bales with the LX200 SOFTHANDS.
• Keep hands and fingers WELL CLEAR of pinch points where the arms pivot on the bale grab.
• DO NOT attempt to lift of carry anything other than a bale. This will void the warranty.
•
MAINTENANCE
(also do this before initial operation)
• Grease 4 points regularly.
• These are:
2 pivot points on the mainframe
2 pivot points on the hydraulic ram
• After the first 10 hours of operation and during routine servicing ensure that all bolts are tight.
• Check for cracks or defective parts regularly – Any machine found unsafe or to contribute to an unsafe condition must be removed from service until restored to a safe operating condition, and is deemed safe by HUSTLER.
FITTING INSTRUCTIONS
Fitting the ‘Softhands’ to a quick-hitch on a front loader
• Drive up to the bale grab from behind.
• Crowd the quick-hitch forward and lift under the top hooks.
• Crowd back, lift up and the bale grab will latch itself into place. Shut off tractor and apply the handbrake.
• Move hydraulic controls to relieve any pressure in the hoses, then get out and connect the hydraulic couplings so pulling the lever towards you or to your left clamps the bale.
• Double check the hitch is correctly attached and locked
Fitting the ‘Softhands’ to a conventional hitch on a front end loader
• Drive up to the bale grab from behind.
• Crowd the hitch mechanism level.
• Shut off tractor and apply the handbrake and move hydraulic controls to relieve any pressure in the hoses.
• Get out, fit the hitch pins and latch securely in place. Connect the hydraulic couplings so pulling the lever towards you or to your left clamps the bale.
OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
As the HUSTLER ‘SOFTHANDS’ are specifically designed to clamp bales, they are simple to operate:
• Open the hands fully open (or just wide enough if you are selecting a bale out of a tight pack)
• Drive into the bale and stop just before the bale engages the back frame.
• Clamp the bale.
• Lift and drive away.
STACKING
• Turning the bale over is simple too. Grip the bale in the centre and crowd forwards, lower to the ground, then release. This will turn your bale over safely.
REGISTER YOUR WARRANTY
Register your warranty online! Scan the QR Code to register your warranty. Or visit www.hustlerequipment.com/warranty
Follow our 3 easy steps:
1. Dealer or end user? Click which applies to you.
2. Follow the instructions and fill out the info required
3. Submit your form!
Note: The machine is NOT covered by warranty until the EUSA Product Registration form and your warranty form is completed!
MAINTENANCE LOG
This record is to stay with the instruction manual and be used as proof of upkeep should a claim be lodged. Hustler requires you to keep track of approx 12 monthly maintenance by having your service provider routinely fill out the log, or by keeping receipts of work done. Routine checks will save ongoing repair costs. Pre-season is the best time for this. Excluded items are wear parts and electric components.
Purchase Date ____________________ Machine serial number ___________
SERVICE 1 (12-15 MONTHS FROM PURCHASE DATE)
Date of service
Number of bales / hectares sprayed
Signature and Dealer Name
SERVICE 2 (24-30 MONTHS)
Date of service ____________________
Number of bales / hectares sprayed ___________________________________
Signature and Dealer Name ____________________________________________
SERVICE 3 (36-42 MONTHS)
Date of service
Number of bales / hectares sprayed
Signature and Dealer Name
SERVICE 4 (48-55 MONTHS)
Date of service ____________________
Number of bales / hectares sprayed ___________________________________
Signature and Dealer Name ____________________________________________
CHECKLIST
Grease all nipples
All fastenings tight
Wear parts replaced (bushes, cables etc. are not covered items)
Secure all hoses and clamps
Drive components not wobbly
Wash down + Throughly
Inpect Machine
Chassis/boom Hairline Cracks repaired
General Inspection of construction
