Section 4: Operating Instructions
7/13/20
RCD1884 Rotary Cutters 326-355M
25
Unhook Rotary Cutter
1. Unhook Rotary Cutter from the tractor as follows:
2. See
if cutter is to
be stored for a long time.
3. Park on a level solid surface and lower deck to
ground level or onto support blocks.
4. Engage tractor park brake, shut tractor engine off,
and remove switch key. Stay on tractor until blades
have come to a complete stop.
5. Disconnect driveline from tractor.
6. Unhook 3-Point hitch from tractor and drive tractor
forward several feet.
7.
Reinstall hitch pins, linchpins, and hair pin cotters in
cutter hitch for safe keeping.
8. Collapse driveline by pushing tractor end of driveline
towards cutter gearbox.
9. Support driveline off the ground with a support block
to keep it up out of the dirt.
General Operating Instructions
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the
Operator’s Manual, completed Operators Checklist,
properly attached cutter to your tractor, made leveling
adjustments, and preset your cutting height before
beginning a running operational safety check on your
Land Pride Rotary Cutter.
The running operational safety check may now be done.
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 its key, and
make necessary repairs and/or adjustments before
continuing on.
Make sure before starting the tractor that the park brake
is engaged, power take-off is disengaged, and cutter is
resting on the ground. Start 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 driveline does not bind and does not contact
the cutter frame. Lower the cutter to the ground and at a
low engine speed engage the power take-off. If
everything is running smoothly at a low idle, slowly raise
the cutter to transport height checking for bind or chatter
in the driveline. Lower the cutter to the ground and
increase the tractor’s engine rpm until it reaches the
cutter full power take-off operating speed of 540 rpm. If
everything is still running smoothly, once more raise the
cutter to transport height to check for driveline bind or
chatter. Lower the cutter to the ground, return the engine
to a low idle, and disengage the power take-off. Position
the adjustable stops on the tractor’s hydraulic lift lever so
the cutter can be consistently returned to the same
cutting and transport height.
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 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 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 you are
familiar with and are free of debris and unseen 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.
You will need to maintain 540 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 tractor and cutter. Slow down in turns.
Remember to look back often.
Now that you’re prepared and well briefed you may begin
cutting. Reducing tractor engine speed, lower cutter to
cutting position, engage power take-off, raise engine rpm
to the appropriate power take-off speed and begin
cutting.
Make wide turns when possible. Three-point hitch and
optional Quick Hitch models can be lifted into transport
position to make tight turns and to reverse direction. 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 Land Pride Rotary Cutter
can do.
Whether you are done mowing, need to take a break, or
just need to make a few adjustments to the cutter,
remember to reduce tractor rpm, disengage power take-
off, stop on level ground, set tractor park brake, turn off
engine, and remove switch key. Stay on the tractor until
the cutter blades have come to a complete dead stop.
