Land Pride AFM4214 manual General Operating Instructions

Table of Contents

Section 2: Operating Instructions

Land Pride

General Operating Instructions

By now you should have familiarized yourself with the Operator’s Manual, completed the Operator’s Checklist, set-up the unit properly and attached your Land Pride All-Flex Mower to your tractor.

With the tractor’s park brake engaged and the PTO disengaged, start the tractor. Using the tractor’s hydraulic control levers, retract the hydraulic deck-lift cylinders all the way in and pull the ropes leading to your transport locks to release them. With the same control levers, slowly lower your mowing decks from transport position to working position on the ground. Having lowered the decks, shut the tractor off, check to make sure the park brake is set and remove the switch key. Dismount from the tractor and preset your mower to the desired cutting height.

It’s now time to do a running operational safety check. It is extremely important that if at any time during this safety check you detect a malfunction in either the mower or tractor that you immediately shut the tractor off, remove the key and set the park brake. Make necessary repairs and/or adjustments before continuing on.

Make sure before starting the tractor that the mower is properly attached to the draw bar with both wings down resting on the ground. Also make sure the driveline is securely coupled to the tractor’s PTO shaft, the hydraulic hoses are properly attached to the tractor’s hydraulics, the tractor’s park brake is engaged and the tractor’s PTO drive is disengaged. Starting the tractor and set the engine throttle speed at a low idle. Engage the tractor’s PTO drive. If everything is running smoothly, slowly increase the engine rpm until the tractor’s engine reaches full PTO operating speed of 540 rpm. If everything is still running as it should, then return the engine to low idle and disengage power to the PTO. Under no circumstances should you ever raise the cutting decks into transport position with the PTO drive engaged. Personal injury and machine damage could result.

You should now be ready to move to your cutting site to begin mowing. On roadway transport in such a manner that faster moving vehicles can easily see you and pass you safely. Reduce your speed when traveling over rough and hilly terrain. Avoid quick or sharp steering corrections. Take extra care to insure that the mower doesn’t come into contact with obstacles such as trees, buildings or fences. Use accessory lights and appropriate reflective devices to provide adequate warning to pedestrians and other vehicle operators when traveling on public roads and in the dark of night. Comply with all local, state and federal laws.

It is important that you inspect the area where you will be cutting and clear it of safety hazards and foreign objects either before or after you arrive at the cutting site. Never assume the area is clear. Cut only in areas you are familiar with and are free of debris and unseen objects. In the event you do strike an object, stop the mower and

tractor immediately to inspect and make any necessary repairs before resuming operation. It really pays to inspect a new area and to develop a safe plan before mowing.

You will need to maintain a ground speed between 2-6 mph and 540 rpm PTO speed to produce a clean cut. Make a tractor gear and range selection that will enable you to maintain these speed combinations. Generally the quality of cut is better at lower ground speeds. Dense ground cover will create the need to slow down even more. In certain conditions tractor tires will roll grass down resulting in an uneven cut when the grass fails to rebound. Should this happen you may try reversing the direction of cut and/or double cut to achieve the desired finish.

Avoid very low cutting heights especially on extremely uneven terrain. Always cut downward on slopes and avoid crossing the face of steep slopes. Avoid sharp drops and cross diagonally through dips to prevent hanging up the tractor and mower. Slow down in turns and avoid sharp turns if at all possible. Remember to look back often.

Now you’re prepared and well briefed you may begin cutting. Begin cutting by doing the following:

•Reducing the tractor’s engine rpm.

•Make sure the mower is on the ground in cutting position.

•Engage the PTO.

•Raise the engine rpm to the appropriate PTO speed.

•Begin mowing.

Make wide turns when possible. Operators of pull-type models must plan ahead and choose a cutting pattern that allows for wider turns. Try increasing or decreasing ground speed to determine the effect on quality of cut. With a little practice you will be pleased with what you and your Land Pride All-Flex Mower can do.

Whether you are done mowing, need to take a break, or just need to make a few adjustments to the mower, remember to always do the following:

•Reduce the tractor’s engine rpm.

•Disengage the PTO.

•Stop on level ground.

•Set the park brake.

•Turn off the engine and remove the key.

•Stay on the tractor until the mower blades have come to a complete stop.

20 AFM4214 and AFM4216 All-Flex Grooming Mowers 315-587M 11/14/08