Bomford Hawk ICS controls

[Blackbird]

I have just hitched up my Bomford hedgecutter and the ICS controls are dead - No life on the screen/joystick. I have checked and there is power coming okay from the tractor battery (which is direct lead) to the cab and there is also power at the plug before entering the ECU on the machine. Any suggestions or what to try next? The machine was fine when it was unhitched in March. The joystick/screen was stored in the house too so no damp issues. Could it be a faulty screen, ECU or lead from the machine to the joystick? Any help or tips appreciated.

 

[Fraserb]

I have just hitched up my Bomford hedgecutter and the ICS controls are dead - No life on the screen/joystick. I have checked and there is power coming okay from the tractor battery (which is direct lead) to the cab and there is also power at the plug before entering the ECU on the machine. Any suggestions or what to try next? The machine was fine when it was unhitched in March. The joystick/screen was stored in the house too so no damp issues. Could it be a faulty screen, ECU or lead from the machine to the joystick? Any help or tips appreciated.

Check theres no bad connections on the lead from the battery. Hooked the drill on a few years ago and it was completely dead, tested the plug going into the box and got 12v so presumed the problem was the box, eventually traced it to the fuse holder in the lead from battery it was completely corroded, was letting 12v through but 0 amps.

 

[Blackbird]

Thanks, I will try that. I also have another lead (3 pin to red euro plug) that I could use to eliminate the current one on the tractor.

 

[Kevtherev]

Check the red switch on top of your ICS box.
There is an Anderson connector under machine hood by ECU also worth checking.
Also check the wires at plug end of armoured cable to box.
The plug can come apart easily.

 

[danpwll]

check the pins in the plug as had the same problem and one pin had pushed in and not connecting

 

[Blackbird]

I have just checked all connections on the power lead from the battery and the joystick lead and they look okay. I tried another power lead that I had for another machine from the tractor cab 3 pin plug direct to the Anderson connector at the ecu but still no joy. I also checked the fuse in the ECU which is okay....

 

[ARW]

The big red plug can be a bit on off at times, clean the connections just to make sure. Ours also have a fuse between box and battery, I once repaired this with a ring pull from a rich pudding tin to keep going!
Have you any mates that run bomford? If so plug your armrest in then you will see if it’s the armrest or your machine.
If not give joe turner equipment a call they may know more.

 

[Blackbird]

The big red plug can be a bit on off at times, clean the connections just to make sure. Ours also have a fuse between box and battery, I once repaired this with a ring pull from a rich pudding tin to keep going!
Have you any mates that run bomford? If so plug your armrest in then you will see if it’s the armrest or your machine.
If not give joe turner equipment a call they may know more.

Thanks but I have eliminated the battery lead/red plugs by trying another. I don’t know if anyone at all around this part of the country with Bomford ICS controls so that’s not an option!

 

[Blackbird]

I have just taken the deutsch plug apart at the joystick end of the armoured cable to get a look at the 5 wires.....this allows me to hold gentle pressure in case the female pin connectors have moved but still no life!!

 

[Blackbird]

So before ordering parts/ getting a service call out........as a process of elimination and the easiest option first, should I get the joystick lead tested for electrical continuity to check the 5 wires? (Or even better try a new lead but would be confident the dealer won’t have one) Then check/ investigate the joystick/screen and as suggested previously by trying it on another machine but that could be a long distance away.

 

[topcat2006]

Check the chocolate block connector. I hate these things with a vengeance. So many times I've seen them corroded away internally or the screws done up on the cable sheath and not the core.....

They have no place on farm equipment.....

 

[Blackbird]

Thanks to everyone for their advice, the machine was back up and running this morning again. ....it was a simple fix! Our Auto spark checked the joystick lead and there were no broken wires or any issues....when he took the back of the controller, he found a plug connector that had come apart! Always nice to know how these issues are solved for future reference!

 

[Lincsman]

Explain to me why a hedge cutter needs a screen?

 

[ARW]

Explain to me why a hedge cutter needs a screen?

It’s actually good, records hours and shows alerts to grease, check gearbox oil, change filter. Shows pto speed and if it’s been run at over speed.
It’s has different settings you can change easily for arm speed etc and different settings for certain drivers, you can also swap solonoids so you the joystick can do anything you prefer, it also has self diagnostics which is great at finding problems.
Also where else do you engage slew, telescopic, break back, arm float, head float, rotor direction

 

[Still Farming]

To change roto direction on the ics is there anything other than press button .
Cut downwards ,2 warning triangles and tank level signs come up ,but when pressed otherway roto cuts up no trouble and no warnings?
Any ideas?

 

[kevindb880]

It’s actually good, records hours and shows alerts to grease, check gearbox oil, change filter. Shows pto speed and if it’s been run at over speed.
It’s has different settings you can change easily for arm speed etc and different settings for certain drivers, you can also swap solonoids so you the joystick can do anything you prefer, it also has self diagnostics which is great at finding problems.
Also where else do you engage slew, telescopic, break back, arm float, head float, rotor direction

Bugger give me 3 stiff levers any day!

 

[ARW]

Bugger give me 3 stiff levers any day!

You must have a strong arm!

 

[Still Farming]

Does the hedgecutter tank fan run all the time or just when higher temperatures reached?
Just checking if something possibly wrong?
Tank not got very hot yet ,luke warm to touch?

 

[ARW]

Fans on ours hardly run during winter, maybe by the end of the day. I think they click in at 55 degrees

 

[Still Farming]

Fans on ours hardly run during winter, maybe by the end of the day. I think they click in at 55 degrees

O.
Is there setting on ics to monitor or switch on ,check etc?
Thanks