Section 3: General Operating Instructions
OFM3678, OFM3690 & OFM3698 Offset Flail Mowers 333-149M
6/11/21
35
WARNING
!
To avoid serious injury or death:
•
Allow only persons to operate this implement who have
fully read and comprehended this manual, and who have
been properly trained in the safe operation of this
implement. Serious injury or death can result from the
inability to read, understand, and follow instructions
•
In addition to being authorized and properly trained, if
necessary, the operator must also perform certain
maneuvers in order to identify the main functions and
controls when using the machine for the first time. Prior to
use, the operator must check that the safety devices are
properly installed and functioning. In addition to ensuring
that all these requirements are met, the operator must also
observe all current safety regulations.
•
Never carry riders on the implement or tractor. Riders can
obstruct the operator’s view, interfere with controls, be
pinched by moving components, become entangled in
rotating components, struck by objects, thrown about, fall
•
Hydraulic fluid under high pressure will penetrate the skin
or eyes causing a serious injury. Wear protective gloves and
safety glasses or goggles when working with hydraulic
systems. Use a piece of cardboard or wood rather than
hands when searching for leaks. If an accident occurs, seek
immediate emergency medical care or gangrene may result.
•
Never use the driveline as a step to facilitate work on the
machine.
•
Be careful when working areas where obstructions can be
hidden. Always mark potential hazards with a visible flag.
Travel slowly through high risk areas and be prepared to
stop immediately should implement make contact with a
•
Do not operate and/or travel across inclines where the
tractor and/or implement can rollover. Consult your
tractor’s manual for acceptable inclines the tractor is
•
Always follow “Tractor Shutdown Procedure” provided in
this manual before dismounting the tractor.
•
Select a safe ground speed when transporting. Never travel
at a speed which does not allow adequate control of steering
and stopping, and never exceed 20 mph (32.2 km/h) with
attached equipment. Rough terrain requires a slower speed.
•
A rotating driveline must not exceed an angle of 25 degrees
up or down, and never engage a driveline while at an angle
exceeding 25 degrees up or down. The driveline can break
•
Do not operate a broken or bent driveline. Such a driveline
will break apart while rotating at high speeds. Always
remove the implement from use until the damaged driveline
•
Some tractors are equipped with two power take-off speeds.
Be certain your tractor’s power take-off shaft is set-up to
operate at 540 rpm. Do not exceed 540 rpm power take-off
speed. Excessive speed can damage drive components,
cutter blades, and/or increase the risk of a thrown object
•
Perform scheduled maintenance. Check for loose
hardware, missing parts, broken parts, structural cracks,
and excessive wear. Make repairs before putting the
•
Do not alter implement or replace parts on the implement
with other brands. Other brands may not fit properly or
meet OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
specifications. They can weaken the integrity and impair the
safety, function, performance, and life of the implement.
Replace parts only with genuine OEM parts.
•
Check that all lighting devices installed on the tractor are
working correctly, so that they may be used to permit work
in poor visibility conditions or at night, and when
transporting on a public road.
•
Do not use implement to tow other equipment unless it is
designed with a tow hitch. Doing so can result in loss of
control and damage the equipment.
•
Do not use implement as a man lift, work platform or as a
wagon to carry objects. It is not properly designed or
•
Do not use implement to lift objects; to pull objects such as
fence posts, stumps, etc; or to push objects. The unit is not
designed or guarded for these uses.
•
Do not operate flail head in water. Doing so can damage
blades and/or cause a thrown object hazard.
•
Do not use the mower as a fan. The blades are not properly
designed or guarded for this use.
•
In the event of a collision with an obstacle, stop the tractor,
disengage power take-off, and switch off the motor. Once it
is safe to do so, check for any damage and make the
necessary repairs.
h
IMPORTANT:
When mowing, the incline cylinder
may be set to float after the flail head has been
lowered to the ground.
The incline cylinder must be set to not float before
raising the mower off the ground and remain in the
non-float setting while the flail is off the ground.
