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Section 3: Operating Instructions
11/14/18
RCF2084 Rotary Cutters 326-461M
Unhooking the Rotary Cutter
Unhook Rotary Cutter from the tractor as follows:
1.
See
on page 27 Park on a
level solid surface and lower deck to ground level or
onto support blocks.
2. Park on a level solid surface and lower deck to
ground level or onto support blocks.
3. Engage tractor park brake, shut tractor engine off,
and remove switch key. Stay on tractor until blades
have come to a complete stop.
4. Disconnect driveline from tractor.
5. Unhook 3-point hitch from tractor and drive tractor
forward several feet.
6. Reinstall hitch pins, linchpins, and hair pin cotters in
cutter hitch for safe keeping.
7.
Collapse driveline by pushing tractor end of driveline
towards cutter gearbox.
8. Rotate driveline storage hook down and place
driveline in storage hook.
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 the 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 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 cutter to
cutting height checking for bind or chatter in the driveline.
Lower cutter to the ground and increase tractor’s engine
rpm until it reaches cutter full power take-off operating
speed of 540 rpm. If everything is still running smoothly,
once more raise cutter to cutting height to check for
driveline bind or chatter. Lower cutter to the ground,
return engine to a low idle, and disengage power take-off.
Position 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 grass fails to
rebound. Should this happen you may try reversing
direction of cut and/or double cut to achieve 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. Begin mowing by doing the following:
•
Reducing tractor’s engine rpm, make sure cutter is
lowered to cutting position, and engage power take-off.
•
Raise engine rpm to 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 the 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 always do the following:
•
Reduce tractor’s engine rpm and disengage power
take-off.
•
Stop on level ground, set tractor park brake, turn off the
engine, and remove switch key.
•
Stay on the tractor until the cutter blades have come to
a complete dead stop.
