Section 4: Operating Instructions
RCR1548 Rotary Cutters 312-556M
8/1/23
23
Transporting
WARNING
!
To avoid serious injury or death:
•
Select a safe ground speed that will allow adequate control
•
When traveling on public roadways, travel in such a way
•
Always disengage power take-off and wait for the driveline
to stop rotating before raising the implement to the
transport position.
1.
Make sure driveline does not contact tractor or cutter
when raising cutter to transport position.
2.
Reduce tractor ground speed when turning and leave
enough clearance so cutter does not contact
obstacles such as buildings, trees, or fences.
3.
Limit transport speed to 20 mph. Transport only with
a farm tractor of sufficient size and horsepower.
4.
When traveling on roadways, transport in such a way
that faster moving vehicles may pass you safely.
5.
Shift tractor to a lower gear when traveling over rough
or hilly terrain.
Blade Engagement & Disengagement
Cutter blades can lock-up against each other during
start-up and shut-down especially if the tractor’s power
take-off engagement is
“INSTANT ON”
and
“INSTANT
OFF”
. Following Blade Engagement and Blade
Disengagement instructions on page 23 will help
eliminate blade lock up.
Blade Engagement
1.
Increase throttle to a speed just enough to get the
cutter started without stalling tractor while slowly
engaging power take-off. Use tractor’s power take-off
soft start option if available.
2.
Ensure that all power shafts are rotating and that the
cutter is not vibrating excessively after ramping up to
power take-off speed for at least 3 seconds. If
excessive vibration continues after 3 seconds at full
power take-off speed, disengage power take-off
immediately, shut down tractor, and remove ignition
key.
3.
Check blades for a lock-up situation. Block cutter
deck up before working under the unit. Unlock
blades, remove support blocks, and repeat
instructions.
Blade Disengagement
1.
Slowly decrease throttle speed until engine idle
speed is reached and then disengage power take-off.
2.
Engage tractor park brake, shut tractor engine off
and remove ignition key. Stay on tractor until blades
have come to a complete stop.
Unhook Rotary Cutter
Unhook Rotary Cutter from the tractor as follows:
1.
on page 29 if cutter is to
be stored for a long time.
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 ignition 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.
