Section 3: Operating Instructions
4/28/21
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General Operating Instructions
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the
Operator’s Manual, complete the Operator’s Checklist,
properly attach the cutter to your tractor, make leveling
adjustments, preset cutting height, and set wing folding
hydraulic control lever to the float position before
beginning a running operational safety check on your
Great Plains RC2515 Smooth Top Rotary Cutter.
It is important that you inspect the area where you will be
cutting and clear it of hazards and foreign objects before
you start mowing. Never assume the area is clear. Cut
only in areas you are familiar with and are free of foreign
objects. Extremely tall grass should be cut twice to detect
potential hazards. In the event you do strike an object,
stop the cutter and tractor immediately to inspect and
make any necessary repairs to the cutter before
resuming operation. Remove or clearly mark the struck
object to prevent hitting it again.It really pays to inspect a
new area and to develop a safe plan before cutting.
It’s now time to do a running operational safety check. If
at any time during this safety check you detect a
malfunction in either the cutter or tractor, shut the tractor
off immediately, remove the key, and make necessary
repairs or adjustments before continuing.
Make sure the tractor’s park brake is engaged, tractor’s
power take-off is disengaged, and the cutter is resting on
the ground with both wings down. Start tractor and back
throttle off until the engine is at a low idle. With tractor’s
rear hydraulic lift control lever, raise the cutter to transport
position making sure that the power take-off shaft is not in
a bind and does not come in contact with the cutter frame.
Lower unit to cutting position and with the tractor still at a
low idle, engage power take-off. If everything is running
smoothly at this point, increase engine rpm until the
tractor’s engine reaches full 540 power take-off operating
speed. Slowly raise the cutter to transport height to make
sure the driveline does not bind or chatter. Then return
the engine to low idle, disengage power take-off, and
position the adjustable stops on the cutter’s hydraulic lift
cylinder so the cutter can be consistently returned to the
same cutting and transport height.
You should now be ready to move to the cutting site to
begin cutting. It is important that you inspect the area
where you will be cutting and clear it of hazards and
foreign objects before you start mowing. Never assume
the area is clear. Cut only in areas you are familiar with
and are free of foreign objects. Extremely tall grass
should be cut twice to detect potential hazards. In the
event you do strike an object, stop the cutter and tractor
immediately to inspect and make any necessary repairs
to the cutter before resuming operation. Remove or
clearly mark the struck object to prevent hitting it again.It
really pays to inspect a new area and to develop a safe
plan before cutting.
To produce a clean cut, normal cutting speed will be
between 2-5 mph at full power take-off speed. Therefore,
make a tractor gear and range selection that will maintain
this combination. Generally the quality of cut will be
better at lower ground speeds and cutting denser ground
cover may create the need to slow down. You will want to
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 cutter. Slow down in turns and
avoid sharp turns if at all possible. Watch while making a
tight turn to ensure that the rear tractor tires do not
contact the deck or hitch. Remember to look back often.
Now that you’re prepared and well briefed you may begin
cutting. Begin cutting by doing the following:
•
Reduce tractor’s engine rpm.
•
Make sure the wheels supporting the wings are on the
ground and the hydraulic control lever for folding the
wings is set in the float position.
•
Engage power take-off, raise engine rpm to the
appropriate power take-off speed, and begin cutting.
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 Great Plains 15' Rotary
Cutter can do.
When you are done cutting, need to take a break, or just
need to make a few adjustments to the cutter, remember
to always do the following:
•
Reduce tractor’s engine rpm and disengage power
take-off.
•
Stop on level ground, set the park brake, turn off
engine, remove switch key, and stay on the tractor until
cutter blades have come to a complete stop.
