Section 3: Operating
RCB(M)5710 & RCB(M)L5710 Rotary Cutters 337-049M
7/9/20
46
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
Land Pride RCB(M)5710 or RCB(M)L5710 Rotary Cutter.
It’s now time to do a running operational safety check. It
is important that at any time during this safety check you
detect a malfunction in either the cutter or tractor that you
immediately shut the tractor off, remove the key, and
make necessary repairs and/or adjustments before
continuing on.
Before starting the tractor, make sure the park brake is
engaged and power take-off is disengaged. If the wing is
folded-up, follow instructions in this manual to unfold the
wing. Start the tractor and set engine throttle speed at a
low idle. Raise cutter with tractor’s rear hydraulic lift
control lever to transport position, making sure that the
power take-off shaft does not bind and does not contact
the cutter frame. Lower cutter to the ground and at a low
engine speed, engage power take-off. If everything is
running smoothly at a low idle, slowly raise the cutter to
transport height, while checking for bind or chatter in the
driveline. Lower cutter to the ground and increase
tractor’s engine rpm until it reaches the cutter’s full power
take-off operating speed which will be either 540 or 1000
rpm depending on your model. If everything is still
running smoothly, once more raise the cutter to transport
height to check for driveline bind or chatter. Lower cutter
to the ground, return engine to a low idle, and disengage
the power take-off. Be sure the tractor 3-point arms are
raised and will not contact the main driveline.
You should now be ready to transport to your cutting site
at a safe ground speed. On roadways, transport in such a
manner that faster moving vehicles can easily see you
and pass you safely. Reduce your speed when traveling
over rough and hill-like terrain. Avoid quick or sharp
steering corrections. Take extra care to ensure that the
cutter doesn’t come into contact with obstacles such as
trees, buildings, or fences. Use accessory lights and
appropriate reflective devices to provide adequate
warning to pedestrians and other vehicle operators when
traveling 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
cutting and clear it of safety hazards and foreign objects
either before or after you arrive at the cutting site. Never
assume the area is clear. Cut only in areas which 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 necessary
repairs to the cutter before resuming operation. It really
pays to inspect a new area and to develop a safe plan
before cutting.
Depending on your specific model, you will need to
maintain either 540 or 1000 rpm power take-off speed
and 2 to 5 mph ground speed to produce a clean cut.
Make a tractor gear and range selection that will enable
you to maintain these speed combinations. 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, tractor tires will roll grass
down resulting in an uneven cut when the grass fails to
rebound. Should this happen, you may try reversing the
direction of cut and/or double cut to achieve the desired
finish. 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.
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.
•
Make sure the wing is on the ground and the hydraulic
control lever is in 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 your Land Pride
Folding 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, place gear selector in park or set
park brake, turn off engine, remove ignition key, and
stay on the tractor until cutter blades have come to a
complete stop.
