10
SECTION III
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
3-1 General Safety
Only qualified people familiar with this operator’s
manual and the mower’s operator’s manual should
operate this machine.
3-2 Operation And Tips On Mowing
A.
Perform BEFORE EACH USE maintenance list
in paragraph 4-1.
B.
Start mower engine.
C. While seated in the operator’s seat, rotate the
engagement handle of the collection system
away from the mower. Continue to rotate the
handle until it stops in an over center position.
With the blower engaged, you can proceed to
operate the control levers of the mower.
D. With the mower engine at high rpm, engage the
mower deck.
NOTE: If the collection system does not appear to
be collecting the grass clippings, disengage the deck
and blower, then engage the parking brake and turn
the engine off. proceed to Section 3-3 and review
Section 2-6 in this manual.
To obtain the maximum effectiveness from your col-
lection system the tips listed below should be
followed:
*
Watch your speed - Normal conditions will allow
a speed of up to approximately 5 mph, but thick,
heavy damp conditions will require reduced
ground speed.
*
Mow with sharp blades - A sharp blade cuts
cleaner.
*
Wet grass and leaves will decrease effective-
ness and will increase horsepower require-
ments.
*
Mow at higher cutting heights - Remove and
mulch no more than 2” of grass length with each
mowing. (Experts recommend not cutting off
more than 1/3 of the grass blade length at any
given time.)
*
Mow twice, at different height settings, (high,
then low), if grass is extra tall.
*
Remember that horsepower requirements will
vary with the mowing conditions such as type
and height of turf grass, moisture content,
amount of leaves, whether the terrain is flat or
hilly, etc.
3-3 Disengagement Of The Blower
A.
To disengage the blower, rotate the engage-
ment handle towards the mower.
WARNING: To determine when the collection bags
are full, follow the following steps:
A.
Stop the forward movement of the mower.
B.
Disengage the mower deck.
C. Disengage the blower.
D. Engage the parking brake.
E.
Once the parking brake has been engaged, and
only then, walk behind the mower and check the
collection bags by lifting the hood.The load
in the bags should not exceed the height of the
installed bags.
F.
To release bags from the frame, lift the bag ring
from the tab on the bagger frame, slide the bag
out and turn the bag over to deposit the clippings.
G. Follow steps on page 9 to re-attach the bags
to the bagger.
NOTE: Do not allow collection bags to become over
filled as potential damage may occur to your equip-
ment. Also, be sure to clean the hood screen as
needed.
SECTION IV
MAINTENANCE
4-1 Maintenance Checklist
Before each use:
1.
Check blades and spindles to be sure that no for-
eign objects, such as wire or steel strapping
bands, are wrapped around them.
2.
Inspect blades for wear. Replace if necessary. If it
is necessary to sharpen blades, remove the
blades from the spindles before sharpening. DO
NOT sharpen blades while still attached to the
mower.
3.
Make sure all shields are in place and in good
condition. Repair or replace any missing or dam-
aged shields.
4.
Perform lubrication per paragraph 4-2.
5.
Listen for abnormal sounds, which might indicate
loose parts, damaged bearings, or other damage.
Correct any deficiency before continuing operation.
6.
With the engine off, engage the blower assembly.
Check the belt tension and inspect the pulley belt
for cracks or tears.
7.
Check for wear or deterioration of the upper or
lower hoses and the bags.. If there are any por-
tions of the hoses or bags that have been torn or
worn through, replace with genuine BUSH HOG parts.
After Each Use:
1.
Clean all debris from machine especially from the
bags, underneath the belt shields and off of
safety decals. Replace any missing or illegible decals.
