area around the clutch free of flammable material
and avoid prolonged slipping of the clutch.
Slope Safety
•
Review the traction unit specifications to ensure
that you do not exceed its slope capabilities.
•
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control
and rollover accidents, which can result in severe
injury or death. You are responsible for safe slope
operation. Operating the machine on any slope
requires extra caution.
•
Evaluate the site conditions to determine if the
slope is safe for machine operation including
surveying the site. Always use common sense
and good judgment when performing this survey.
•
Review the slope instructions listed below for
operating the machine on slopes and review the
conditions to determine whether you can operate
the machine in the conditions on that day and at
that site. Changes in the terrain can result in a
change in slope operation for the machine.
•
Avoid starting, stopping, or turning the machine on
slopes. Avoid making sudden changes in speed or
direction. Make turns slowly and gradually.
•
Do not operate a machine under any conditions
where traction, steering, or stability is in question.
•
Remove or mark obstructions such as ditches,
holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden hazards.
Tall grass can hide obstructions. Uneven terrain
could overturn the machine.
•
Be aware that operating the machine on wet
grass, across slopes, or downhill may cause the
machine to lose traction. Loss of traction to the
drive wheels may result in sliding and a loss of
braking and steering.
•
Use extreme caution when operating the machine
near drop offs, ditches, embankments, water
hazards, or other hazards. The machine could
suddenly roll over if a wheel goes over the edge
or the edge caves in. Establish a safety area
between the machine and any hazard.
Aerating Procedures
Important:
If you stored the machine for an
extended period, ensure that the PTO slip is
operational. Refer to
(page 34)
.
1.
Lower the aerator so that the tines are near the
ground at the lowest part of their stroke.
2.
At a low traction unit engine speed, engage the
power takeoff (PTO) clutch to start the aerator
working.
3.
Select a gear that produces a 1 to 4 km/h ( 0.8
to 2.5 mph) forward speed at the rated PTO
speed of 400 to 460 rpm; refer to the operator's
manual for the traction unit.
4.
As you release the clutch and the traction unit
moves forward, lower the aerator fully onto the
roller(s) and increase engine speed to give a
maximum of 400 to 460 rpm (460 on model
SR72) at the PTO.
Important:
Never operate the traction unit
PTO more than 460 rpm or you may damage
to the aerator.
Important:
Make sure that the roller is
always on the ground when the aerator is
operating.
5.
Note the hole pattern. If you require greater
hole spacing, increase forward the speed of
the traction unit by shifting up a gear or with
a hydrostatic drive traction unit, actuate the
hydrostat lever or pedal to give faster speed.
For closer hole spacing, decrease traction unit
forward speed.
Important:
Changing the engine speed
while in the same gear will not change the
hole pattern.
Look behind the aerator frequently to ensure
that the machine operates properly, and it
aligns with previous passes.
6.
Use the front traction unit wheel as a guide to
maintain equal lateral hole spacing with the
previous pass.
7.
At the end of the aeration pass, raise the aerator
and quickly disengage the PTO.
8.
If you back into a tight area (like a tee box),
disengage the PTO and raise the aerator to its
highest position.
Important:
Never aerate in reverse.
9.
Always clear the area of all damaged machine
parts, such as broken tines, etc., to prevent
mowers or other turf maintenance equipment
from picking up and throwing debris.
10.
Replace broken tines, inspect, and correct
damage to those still usable. Repair any other
machine damage before continuing operation.
Subsoil Cultivation
The spading motion of the tine creates subsoil
cultivation, fracturing, or heaving as the aerator and
traction unit move forward. Quality of finish on the
playing surface after aerating will depend on various
factors including turf condition, root growth and
moisture content.
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