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Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:15 pm
by Brian
Has anyone got instruction for setting the above? I just want to turn a bit of hay and not windrow it just yet. Cannot remember if it is possible with one of these. I seem to remember you can turn two swaths without bringing them together.

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:24 pm
by Pascal
Hi Brian,

I have got a copy of the Dutch instruction, but unfortunately it's a bad copy.. :(
Therefor I searched in my Britains collection, just for you. :)

This is how the Acrobat turns the hay:

Image


This is how the Acrobat spreads the hay:

Image


This is probably the way an Acrobat is used most often: to rake:

Image


Good luck and have fun!

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:16 pm
by Gavin
I am glad that at last someone has answered this for me too.
I purchased an acrobat last year to tidy up some land that had a lot of dead grass and the chain harrows were not clearing it and ever since I have been wondering how it is used for turning hay as next year we are hoping to bale a few acres to reduce the amount of haylage we buy in for the ponies.
My Britains model is sitting on my desk as it has been for the last few months trying to work out the options :D

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:16 pm
by Brian
That is absolutly perfect Pascal I should use my Brittains models more often. Mine are a little older than yours and I used to use them to teach trailer reversing to students. :clap: :clap:

I used the Acrobat to rake oak leaves into a row last year and we also used it on my friends field to clear his heavy lawn mowing residue

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:53 am
by Kiwi Kev
Gee, this brings back memories.
Spent many hours of raking with an acrobat during my teenage years. Never did get a haybob, or centiped :cry:

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:45 am
by The Swanndri Guy
Kiwi Kev wrote:Gee, this brings back memories.
Spent many hours of raking with an acrobat during my teenage years. Never did get a haybob, or centiped :cry:
Kev, your more than welcome to come over in December/January when I'm making hay, the Super Dexta and the Vicon are both waiting for you!! :buddies: I'll even stock up the fridge with Waikato for you :beer: From all the equipment on the farm the Vicon is probably the oldest, and still gets used every year.TSG.
Whats the story with the 5000? pictures please Kev!

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:14 am
by Kiwi Kev
The Swanndri Guy wrote: Whats the story with the 5000? pictures please Kev!


Can't say yet, haven't told the wife yet :scratchhead:
Kiwi Kev

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 12:30 am
by The Swanndri Guy
Can't say yet, haven't told the wife yet :scratchhead:

:mrgreen: Just remember Kev, life is full of compromises :eyes: Just say "Getting another tractor is just like getting another horse!" :run:

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 6:48 am
by Kiwi Kev
The Swanndri Guy wrote: Just remember Kev, life is full of compromises :eyes: Just say "Getting another tractor is just like getting another horse!" :run:
Funny you said it like that, cause it's a bit of a joke in our house when she says she 'needs' another horse, my response is "good, I can get another tractor then"
Kiwi Kev

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:13 pm
by Pascal
You're very welcome, Brian.

I am quite surprised, the Acrobat is imported in the UK.
I heard, that it was original an English invention. Vicon improved the machine and was first to ask for patent.
Of course the Englishman wasn't really happy with that. I understood, that therefor no Acrobat's were to be imported to the UK.

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 7:32 pm
by Gavin
I can't even begin to imagine how many of them were sold in the UK and it is incredible how many are still lying around in the undergrowth not being used as it seems that people love or hate them. I know a few farmers who criticise them but have one tucked away only to see the light of day when a more modern machine doesn't clear the field as efficiently as it should.

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:26 pm
by Brian
As Gavin says there are hundreds over here, from the trailed multi-wheel versions to the linkage mounted ones.

I followed your model pictures and set mine up in all three configurations to try. I was delighted with the results, it spread my hay, then rowed it in two small light rows and finally raked it into two big rows across my field, all with Dotty.

This afternoon, Ann and I have loaded the trailer and delivered the first load to hungry bullocks. Knackered ourselves working in the hot afternoon sun! :eyes: Not as young as we thought we were! :cry: The next few loads will be taken over the next few days before the rain comes hopefully.

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 1:45 am
by The Swanndri Guy
Pascal, can you date a Vicon Acrobat from a serial number? Down here in NZ the must be 100's of them.The one we have here, was probably purchased new in the early 60's or late 50's. :mrgreen: TSG.

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:30 pm
by Pascal
Hi guys,

Great to hear the Acrobat is still so popular!
TSG, I don't know how to date an acrobat. :scratchhead:

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:13 pm
by River
Brian, pm me an address & I'll post you the book, its an early assembly & operation instruction manual , printed by Lister Blackstone, sole concessionaires.

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:24 pm
by Roadless63
There is also some adjustment on the angle of the main frame and if I remember rightly the wheels should be angled back slightly. There is a big spring which should take the weight (although these are usually weakened with rust) and a check chain to prevent over stretching. On older fordsons without position control there are smaller depth chains running up from the link arms to the top link (again usually missing). The tines dont last long if allowed to dig into the ground.
I used our acrobat this weekend for rowing up, and the wuffler for tedding.
These acrobats can be picked up for £20 - £30 at farm sales but are pretty handy. Ours mainly gets used to tidy swaths of straw before baling with the little 268.

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:39 pm
by Jerry Coles
I had an Acrobat and manual/parts list and if I remember there were two check chains (to limit the swing?) when using a Dexta.
Jerry
Bath
UK

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:13 pm
by Roadless63
There should be a heavy duty check chain to protect the main spring, then two depth control (for want of a better term) chains, these would also limit side to side swing since they should be crossed over one another.

Re: Vicon Acrobat

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 4:38 pm
by Brian
Someone sent me a PM about the Acrobat a few days ago and it has gone from my in-box before I could reply. :cry:

Could you please re-send it.