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”.
3-3 TRANSPORTING
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
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
WARNING
TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH,
DO NOT ALLOW CUTTER BAR TO CON-
TACT ELECTRICAL WIRES. USE CARE
WHEN PASSING BENEATH OVERHEAD
OBSTRUCTIONS.
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)
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.
Figure 3-1
3-Point Hitch Top Link - Cutting Height Adjustment
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