Howard Rotavator HN questions

[Bansil]

My buddy got this from a old farmer's son who was downsizing...farm stuff.

Since my buddy has one ,he is bringing it to me in a week or two.

Not sure if it works etc.

All I can find is 1979 advertising.

Also getting some kind of pto driven screw?firewood processor?

Any hits or ideas? Downloaded an owners manual.

If it works, should be good as a freebie

 

[Bansil]

Got it home and hooked up to tractor, no noise or vibrations.
Will try this weekend

Free is bestest equipment

 

[paulsharvey]

Free is best. That screw type fire wood splitter, I'm not 100% sure, but I think it might be missing some parts.

 

[TractorTech]

The Howard is not made anymore, but it uses "J-type" blades FYI if you are looking for replacements.

 

[Bansil]

Thanks! Great info

 

[Sportsman762]

Most Howards were offered with the C type and L type blades. Howard was bought by Kongskilde.

The bottom tine is a C tine, and the top is an L tine. The C Tines use less horsepower, but create an uneven bottom. The L tines take more power but have a even bottom.

The HN is a 40" working width, and can go up to 7" deep. It requires a 15-18 hp tractor.

 

[TractorTech]

J-blades were used on the HN tiller and the John Deere tiller (647?) produced by Howard. C and L blades were for the bigger tillers

 

[Sportsman762]

J-blades were used on the HN tiller and the John Deere tiller (647?) produced by Howard. C and L blades were for the bigger tillers

I learned something new today. Thanks!

 

[airbiscuit]

Make sure you check the oil in the gearbox.

I wouldn't get within 6 feet of that screw splitter - literally!

 

[paulsharvey]

Make sure you check the oil in the gearbox.

I wouldn't get within 6 feet of that screw splitter - literally!

There should be a top link area, as well as a base of some sort at the screw end. Without something to hold the log, as soon as the screw makes contact, it's going to go spinning.

 

[Bansil]

The screw has an "arm" to hold the unit.

I have no plans for that thing other than selling it to a person across the pond...who will attach it to a Volvo or tractor or?

 

[TractorTech]

Just looking through an old Howard book. The Rotocadet, J and HN used J blades

 

[mllud]

The gearbox on my Howard Rotovator loses gear grease between uses. I use J.D. corn head grease, and it works well.
It came with two sets of gears for different speeds. One set is bad, suspect low oil from the P.O who abused everything he had.
Thumb screws hold on the gear cover.
I looked for replacement gears for the stripped gear set with no luck.
The gears have an inside diameter that is splined.
As stated, check the gear oil before each use.
It is a nice heavy-duty tiller.

I don't use it enough to replace the slow leaking seal.

 

[Bansil]

Wondered what fluid it uses, I pulled the plug and filler/breather, I added a shot glass of 30 wt and was running out, very dirty. Need to drain and clean.

I do like the pop off valve, relieves pressure from heat buildup of expanding oil.

I may do that to my brush hog, got to be better than oil and sawdust .

Need to reseal it in next month, I will add a breather

 

[mllud]

Wondered what fluid it uses, I pulled the plug and filler/breather, I added a shot glass of 30 wt and was running out, very dirty. Need to drain and clean.

I do like the pop off valve, relieves pressure from heat buildup of expanding oil.

I may do that to my brush hog, got to be better than oil and sawdust .

Need to reseal it in next month, I will add a breather

I don't know what oil but I suspect it would use 80 weight gear oil.
That corn head grease is used in gear boxes with wear and seals that don't hold oil well.
It has the consistency of pudding but gets more fluid as it warms up. I. Use it in my brush hog also.
That pop off that you refer to may just be a vent.
It would allow pressure to Stay equalized.
Your Howard has a gearbox more like a brush hog. Mine is different, yours looks easier to work on the gearbox.
Flush it out good, it may not leak.
You got a deal.