Woods RC3.5E, Operator'S Manual

Page: 4 / 57

4 Safety
Single Spindle Cutter LD/MD CE Export (3/15/2018)
TRAINING

Safety instructions are important! Read all attachment and power unit
manuals; follow all safety rules and safety decal information. (Replacement
manuals and safety decals are available from your dealer. To locate your near
-
est dealer, check the Dealer Locator at www.WoodsEquipment.eu, or call +32
10 301111 in Belgium.) Failure to follow instructions or safety rules can result in
serious injury or death.

If you do not understand any part of this manual and need assistance, see
your dealer.

Know your controls and how to stop engine and attachment quickly in an
emergency.

Operators must be instructed in and be capable of the safe operation of
the equipment, its attachments, and all controls. Do not allow anyone to oper -
ate this equipment without proper instructions.

Never allow children or untrained persons to operate equipment.
PREPARATION

Check that all hardware is properly installed. Always tighten to torque chart
specifications unless instructed otherwise in this manual.

Always wear relatively tight and belted clothing to avoid getting caught in
moving parts. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and protective equipment
for eyes, hair, hands, hearing, and head; and respirator or filter mask where
appropriate.

Make sure attachment is properly secured, adjusted, and in good operat -
ing condition.

Make sure spring-activated locking pin or collar slides freely and is seated
firmly in tractor PTO spline groove.

Connect PTO driveline directly to power unit PTO shaft. Never use adapter
sleeves or adapter shafts. Adapters can cause driveline failures due to incorrect
spline or incorrect operating length and can result in personal injury or death.

Make sure driveline guard tether chains are attached to the tractor and
equipment as shown in the pamphlet that accompanies the driveline. Replace if
damaged or broken. Check that driveline guards rotate freely on driveline
before putting equipment into service.

Before starting power unit, check all equipment driveline guards for dam -
age. Replace any damaged guards. Make sure all guards rotate freely on all
drivelines. If guards do not rotate freely on drivelines, repair and replace bear
-
ings before putting equipment into service.

Power unit must be equipped with ROPS or ROPS cab and seat belt. Keep
seat belt securely fastened. Falling off power unit can result in death from being
run over or crushed. Keep foldable ROPS system in “locked up” position at all
times.

Inspect chain, rubber, or steel band shielding before each use. Replace if
damaged.

Remove accumulated debris from this equipment, power unit, and engine
to avoid fire hazard.

Make sure all safety decals are installed. Replace if damaged. (See Safety
Decals section for location.)

Make sure shields and guards are properly installed and in good condition.
Replace if damaged.

A minimum 25% of tractor and equipment weight must be on the tractor
front wheels when attachments are in transport position. Without this weight,
front tractor wheels could raise up resulting in loss of steering. The weight may
be attained with front wheel weights, ballast in tires, front tractor weights or front
loader. Weigh the tractor and equipment. Do not estimate.

Inspect and clear area of stones, branches, or other hard objects that
might be thrown, causing injury or damage.
OPERATION

Do not allow bystanders in the area when operating, attaching, removing,
assembling, or servicing equipment.

Full chain, rubber, or steel band shielding must be installed when operating
in populated areas or other areas where thrown objects could injure people or
damage property.
• If this machine is not equipped with full chain, rubber, or steel band
shielding, operation must be stopped when anyone comes within 300 feet
(92 m).
• This shielding is designed to reduce the risk of thrown objects. The
mower deck and protective devices cannot prevent all objects from escap -
ing the blade enclosure in every mowing condition. It is possible for objects
to ricochet and escape, traveling as much as 300 feet (92 m).

Never direct discharge toward people, animals, or property.

Do not operate or transport equipment while under the influence of alcohol
or drugs.

Operate only in daylight or good artificial light.

Keep hands, feet, hair, and clothing away from equipment while engine is
running. Stay clear of all moving parts.

Always comply with all state and local lighting and marking requirements.

Never allow riders on power unit or attachment.

Power unit must be equipped with ROPS or ROPS cab and seat belt. Keep
seat belt securely fastened. Falling off power unit can result in death from being
run over or crushed. Keep foldable ROPS system in “locked up” position at all
times.

Always sit in power unit seat when operating controls or starting engine.
Securely fasten seat belt, place transmission in neutral, engage brake, and
ensure all other controls are disengaged before starting power unit engine.

Operate tractor PTO at 540 RPM. Do not exceed.

Do not operate PTO during transport.

Look down and to the rear and make sure area is clear before operating in
reverse.

Do not operate or transport on steep slopes.

Do not stop, start, or change directions suddenly on slopes.

Use extreme care and reduce ground speed on slopes and rough terrain.

Watch for hidden hazards on the terrain during operation.

Stop power unit and equipment immediately upon striking an obstruction.
Turn off engine, remove key, inspect, and repair any damage before resuming
operation.

Leak down or failure of mechanical or hydraulic system can cause equip -
ment to drop.
MAINTENANCE

Before performing any service or maintenance, disconnect driveline from
tractor PTO.

Before working underneath, disconnect driveline, raise cutter, lock trans -
port bar in raised position, and block cutter securely. Hydraulic system leak
down and failure of mechanical or hydraulic system can cause equipment to
drop.

Do not modify or alter or permit anyone else to modify or alter the equip -
ment or any of its components in any way.

Always wear relatively tight and belted clothing to avoid getting caught in
moving parts. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and protective equipment
for eyes, hair, hands, hearing, and head; and respirator or filter mask where
appropriate.

Make sure attachment is properly secured, adjusted, and in good operat -
ing condition.

Do not allow bystanders in the area when operating, attaching, removing,
assembling, or servicing equipment.

Keep all persons away from operator control area while performing adjust -
ments, service, or maintenance.

Make certain all movement of equipment components has stopped before
approaching for service.

Frequently check blades. They should be sharp, free of nicks and cracks,
and securely fastened.

Do not handle blades with bare hands. Careless or improper handling may
result in serious injury.

Your dealer can supply genuine replacement blades. Substitute blades
may not meet original equipment specifications and may be dangerous.

Tighten all bolts, nuts, and screws to torque chart specifications. Check
that all cotter pins are installed securely to ensure equipment is in a safe condi -
tion before putting unit into service.

Make sure all safety decals are installed. Replace if damaged. (See Safety
Decals section for location.)

Make sure shields and guards are properly installed and in good condition.
Replace if damaged.
STORAGE

Keep children and bystanders away from storage area.

Disconnect cutter driveshaft and secure up off ground. Raise cutter with 3-
point hitch. Place blocks under cutter side skids. Lower cutter onto blocks. Dis -
connect cutter from tractor 3-point hitch and carefully drive tractor away from
cutter.
Safety is a primary concern in the design and manufacture of our products.
Unfortunately, our efforts to provide safe equipment can be wiped out by an
operator’s single careless act.
In addition to the design and configuration of equipment, hazard control and
accident prevention are dependent upon the awareness, concern, judge
-
ment, and proper training of personnel involved in the operation, transport,
maintenance, and storage of equipment.
It has been said, “The best safety device is an informed, careful operator.”
We ask you to be that kind of operator.
SAFETY RULES
ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!