Section Operating Instructions, General Safety

SECTION III

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

3-1 GENERAL SAFETY

Only qualified people familiar with this operator’s manual should operate this machine. Operator should wear hard hat, safety glasses and safety shoes. The operator should read, understand and practice all safety messages shown on the caution, warning and danger decals affixed to the mower to avoid serious injury or death. It is recommended that tractor be equipped with Rollover Protective System (ROPS) and a seat belt be used. Before beginning operation, clear work area of any objects that may be picked up and thrown. Check for ditches, stumps, holes or other obstacles that could upset tractor or damage mower. Always turn off tractor engine, set parking brake, lower mower to ground and allow blades to come to a complete stop before leaving tractor operator’s seat.

3-2 CUTTING HEIGHT

Cutting height is controlled by tilting the cutter bar forward or rearward. Shorten the 3-point hitch top link to tilt cutter bar forward and decrease cutting height or lengthen top link to increase cutting height. Recommended cutting heights are approximately 1” to 2-1/2”.

Figure 3-1

3-Point Hitch Top Link - Cutting Height Adjustment

3-3 TRANSPORTING

WARNING

TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH, DO NOT ALLOW CUTTER BAR TO CON- TACT ELECTRICAL WIRES. USE CARE WHEN PASSING BENEATH OVERHEAD OBSTRUCTIONS.

Raise mower off ground using 3-point hitch. Fully raise cutter bar and pin transport lock in the trans- port position. (Figure 2-6) Place parking stand in the work position as shown in Figure 2-4. Make certain slow moving vehicle (SMV) sign mounted on rear shield is clean and in good condition. When trans- ported on roads or highways, day or night, use trac- tor flashing warning lights unless prohibited by law. Do not exceed 15 mph.

3-4 BREAKAWAY LATCH

IMPORTANT

During operation the cutter bar should operate at 90° to the path of travel. The lead angle of the cutter bar may be adjust- ed by varying the mounting position of the breakaway assembly. The combination of holes and adjustment plate allow up to five different positions. (Figure 3-2)

The breakaway latch, shown in Figure 3-2, allows the cutter bar to swing rearward if an obstruction is hit. If the latch releases, stop tractor and disengage PTO immediately. Thoroughly check cutter bar com- ponents for damage.

Figure 3-2 Breakaway Latch

Lead Adjustment Plate

IMPORTANT

FAILURE TO STOP IMMEDIATELY AFTER BREAKAWAY LATCH TRIPS CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO MOWER

To reset breakaway latch, slowly back up tractor with PTO disengaged and without raising cutter bar. The pressure of the cutter bar on the ground should be enough to reset latch.