Spacers
Caster
Wheel
DANGER
STAND CLEAR OF ROTATING CUTTER BLADES UNTIL ALL MOTION HAS STOPPED. TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL FALL AND POSSIBLE INJURY FROM CUTTER, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT TRACTOR BE EQUIPPED WITH ROLLOVER PRO- TECTIVE SYSTEM AND THAT A SEAT BELT BE USED FOR ALL OPERATIONS.
C. With tractor at idle speed, engage PTO drive. Advance throttle to 540 PTO rpm.
D. Place tractor in low gear and begin cutting. Tractor forward speed should be controlled by gear selection, not engine speed. For maximum cutting efficiency, forward speed should allow cutter to maintain a constant maximum blade speed.
If tractor engine or cutter stalls, do not slip tractor clutch to allow engine to retain speed as this will exert undue strain on the implement drivetrain. When stalling occurs, disengage PTO drive, move to a cut area, set tractor throttle to idle, then re-engage PTO drive.
Always cut up and down the face of slopes, never across.
Check belt tension after first 8 hours. Adjust per- paragraph 4-3 if needed.
3-4 TRANSPORTING
Turn off PTO drive and fully raise tractor 3-point lift before transporting. When implement is transported on road or highway, day or night, use tractor flashing warning lights unless prohibited by law. A slow mov- ing vehicle (SMV) sign must be visible from the rear by approaching vehicles.

SECTION III

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

3-1 GENERAL SAFETYFigure 3-1 Only qualified people familiar with this operator’s

manual and tractor operator’s manual should oper- ate this machine. Operator should wear hard hat, safety glasses and safety shoes. The operator should read, understand and practice all safety mes- sages shown on the caution, warning and danger decals affixed to the cutter 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 cutter. Always lower cutter to ground and allow blades to come to a complete stop, set parking brake and turn off tractor engine before leaving tractor operator’s seat.

3-2 CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

The cutter should be operated at the highest position that will give desired cutting results. This will help prevent blades from striking the ground, reducing blade wear and undue strain on the machine. Adjust as follows:

A. Raise cutter off ground using tractor 3-point lift.

SECURELY BLOCK CUTTER IN POSITION.

WARNING

THE CUTTER CAN FALL FROM HYDRAULIC

SYSTEM FAILURE. TO AVOID SERIOUS

INJURY OR DEATH, SECURELY SUPPORT

CUTTER BEFORE WORKING UNDERNEATH.

B.Remove pin securing caster stem to caster arm. (Figure 3-1). Remove caster stem from caster arm.

C. Place amount of spacers on caster stem to give desired cutting height. With no spacers on the bottom, a 1” or slightly lower cutting height is given.

D. Reinstall caster stem into caster arm. Place remaining spacers on caster stem above caster arm and install pin to retain.

E. Repeat operation for all caster wheels. Make certain all wheels are adjusted to the same height.

3-3 OPERATION

A. Perform BEFORE EACH USE maintenance list in paragraph 4-1.

B. Start tractor. Lower cutter until it is supported by caster wheels. Position tractor lower lift arms so cutter lower links are parallel to ground.

DANGER

STAY CLEAR OF ROTATING DRIVELINE. DO

NOT OPERATE WITHOUT DRIVELINE SHIELDS

IN PLACE AND IN GOOD CONDITION. FAILURE

TO HEED THESE WARNINGS MAY RESULT IN

PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

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Bush Hog ATH 900 manual Section Operating Instructions, Cutting Height Adjustment, Operation