OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
•Do not attempt sharp turns while cutting.
•Should I water before cutting?
It is usually not necessary to water before cutting. In extreme conditions, such as clay soil that is very compacted, a simple test as follows will determine if you need to water before cutting. Use a garden hand spade, weed tool, or even a large screwdriver to test the ground’s hardness. You should be able to push the tool into the ground 2 to 3 inches with little effort.
If you are unable to do so, then watering may be advisable. Watering the day before should give sufficient time for the soil to absorb the moisture. Use your hand tool to gauge the effectiveness of your watering. Allow the grass to dry before cutting to provide adequate traction for sod cutting.
OPERATING ON HILLS
WARNING - DO NOT operate on hills exceeding 35% grade to prevent machine from rolling over. Please be aware that when operating on hills, you may experience:
•The need to exert greater effort to steer and maintain the balance of the machine.
•Uneven cutting depth, when operating across a hill. The shifted center of gravity may cause the downhill side of the blade to penetrate to the maximum depth, while the uphill side may not.
With these factors in mind, you may find it more effective to:
•Operate the machine cutting down rather than across hills. You will achieve even cutting depth, and enhance stability.
•Avoid hill side turns. Back up hills in reverse gear, then cut, going down.
BEFORE YOU START
•Read and understand this manual.
•Be sure engine oil is at engine manufacturer’s recommended level. (Refer to engine manufacturer’s manual.)
•Put the sod cutter into neutral before starting.
•Place blade in transport position before starting.
TRANSPORTING
•Push the blade engagement lever forward to raise the blade.
•Select the desired gear
•Pull the throttle while maintaining a firm grip on the handlebar.
•To make turns, push down on the handlebar to do “a wheelie,” then turn.
•Load into truck or trailer by driving up ramps in low gear. DO NOT LIFT! This 330lb machine is not intended to be lifted by hand.
SOD CUTTING See Figure - Page 3
1.Position the sod cutter at your starting point with the blade out of the ground.
2.Pull the blade engagement lever toward you with one hand while lifting the handlebar with the other hand.
3.Place the shift lever in slow gear (turtle icon).
4.Pull the throttle while maintaining a slight down pressure on the handlebar and cut a short distance, then stop. Put shift lever in neutral.
5.Lift the edge of the sod to check the cut depth.
6.To change the depth, push the blade engagement lever forward, unlock the depth lock knob (red knob), and turn the depth adjustment knob clockwise for less depth, or counterclockwise for more depth; then lock the depth lock knob.
7.Repeat steps 2 through 6 as necessary to set depth of cut.
8.End cuts by pushing the blade engagement lever forward while holding the throttle to cut the end of the sod strip as the blade exits the ground.
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