Section 3: Operating Instructions
AFM3011 All-Flex Grooming Mower 315-783M
3/21/19
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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 Grooming Mower to your tractor.
With the tractor’s park brake engaged and the power
take-off disengaged, start tractor. Using the tractor’s
hydraulic control lever, retract hydraulic deck-lift cylinders
all the way in. If pull ropes are included, pull ropes to
release the transport locks. If optional hydraulic transport
locks are included, the locks will release when lowering
the decks. With the same control lever used to retract the
cylinders, slowly extend the cylinders to lower your
mowing decks from transport position to working position
on the ground. Having lowered the decks, shut the tractor
and mower down before dismounting following
on page 16. Dismount tractor
and verify mower cutting height. If needed, adjust mower
cutting height. Refer to
Before starting the tractor, make sure the mower is
properly attached to the draw bar with all decks resting on
the ground, tractor is in park or park brakes are engaged,
tractor’s power take-off drive is disengaged, driveline is
securely coupled to the tractor’s power take-off shaft,
hydraulic hoses are properly attached to the tractor’s
hydraulics, and the light harness is connected to the
tractor’s electrical outlet.
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 down
following
Make necessary repairs and/or adjustments before
continuing on.
Start tractor and set the engine throttle speed at a low
idle. Engage tractor’s power take-off drive. If everything is
running smoothly, slowly increase engine rpm until full
power take-off operating speed of 540 rpm is reached. If
everything is still running as it should, then return engine
to low idle and disengage power take-off. Under no
circumstances should you ever raise the mower decks
into transport position with the power take-off drive
engaged. Personal injury and equipment damage could
result.
You should now be ready to move to your mowing site to
begin mowing. On the roadway, transport in such a
manner that faster moving vehicles can easily see you
and pass you safely. Reduce your speed when
transporting over rough and hilly terrain. Avoid quick or
sharp steering corrections. Take extra care to ensure that
the mower doesn’t come into contact with obstacles such
as trees, buildings or fences. Use lights and appropriate
reflective devices to provide adequate warning to
pedestrians and other vehicle operators when
transporting 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
mowing and clear it of hazards and foreign objects before
you start mowing. Never assume the area is clear. Mow
only in areas you are familiar with and are free of foreign
objects. In the event you do strike an object, stop mower
and tractor immediately to inspect and make any
necessary repairs to the mower 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 mowing.
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. Make wide turns
when possible. Operators must plan ahead and choose a
cutting pattern that allows for wider turns.
Grass is best cut when it is dry. Mowing wet grass can
cause plugging resulting in grass clumps behind the
mower. Grass should be mowed frequently as shorter
clippings deteriorate faster. Mow areas with extremely tall
grass twice. Raise mower high for the first cutting and
then set mower at finished cutting height for the second
cutting.
You will need to maintain a ground speed between
2-6 mph (3-10 km/h) and 540 rpm power take-off speed
to produce a clean cut. 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, the tractor tires will roll grass down resulting
in an uneven cut. When the grass fails to rebound, you
may try reversing the direction of cut and/or double cut to
achieve the desired finish.
Now that you are prepared and well briefed, you may
begin mowing. Set the tractor throttle at an idle. Engage
power take-off to start blades rotating. Begin mowing at a
slow forward speed and shift gears up until desired
ground speed is achieved with throttle set at 540 rpm
power take-off speed. Mower blades will cut better at 540
rpm power take-off speed than at a reduced throttle
speed. After mowing the first 50 feet, stop and check to
see that the mower is adjusted properly.
With a little practice you will be pleased with what you and
your Land Pride All-Flex Grooming 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 shut the tractor and mower down
before dismounting. Refer to
