12
OPERATION
8. After cutting a short distance, stop machine by letting
the finger throttle control go back to its original posi
-
tion. Check thickness of cut and adjust if necessary.
9. At the end of each cutting pass, lift up on the handle
bar to clear the cutting blade from the sod. Retard the
throttle control and turn machine around into the posi-
tion for the next cut.
10. When finished cutting sod, reverse steps 6 through 3,
leaving the wheel drive handle on for transportation.
!
WARNING
BLADE SHARPENING –
Wear the appropriate personal
protective equipment when sharpening blades. Use correct
tools for sharpening or when servicing machine.
!
SAFETY WARNING
DO NOT STORE GASOLINE (PETROL) UNNECESSARILY
OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME. TO PREVENT
POSSIBLE EXPLOSION, STORE ONLY IN AN
APPROVED “SAFE” CONTAINER. TO PREVENT EXPLO
-
SION OF VAPORIZED FUEL, DO NOT STORE MACHINE
WITH FUEL IN TANK OR CARBURETOR
IN AN ENCLOSURE WITH OPEN FLAME.
(EXAMPLE: FURNACE OR WATER HEATER PILOT LIGHT.)
BLADE ANGLE (PITCH)
Under normal operating conditions, the blade angle is slight
(blade bottom is flat). In extremely hard soil or when cut
-
ting with a dull blade, the blade may want to ride out of the
ground. At this time, it may help to angle the blade down. A
short trial run will indicate what blade angle is best. To do
this, you will loosen the pitch adjustment bolt (#7 on illustra-
tion) and move it slightly toward the engine, then retighten
bolt and nut.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
To keep the sod cutter in good operating condition, perform
the following:
•
Keep blade sharp; a sharp blade cuts cleaner, faster
and more uniformly and places less load on the ma-
chine. Sharpen cutting edge on bevel or top side only.
•
Keep drive belt at proper tension and free of oil and dirt
at all times.
• Check engine oil level and air filter element daily.
•
Check Hydro Gear oil (20W50 oil).
•
Check for loose bolts and connections.
• All grease fittings are pressurized type. Use a good
grade Lithium Base Grease or equivalent. Grease
eccentric arms sparingly every 4 hours of service, all
others daily. Wipe off all grease fittings before and
after each greasing (there are a total of 8 grease fit
-
tings).
•
To make sure the chain on the front drive wheels is
tight, you will need to remove the chain guard to
check this. If tightening is required, loosen nuts and
bolts on the 3/4” pillow block bearings and push the
bearings toward the back of the sod cutter until chain
is tight. Make sure both bearings go back evenly to
keep jackshaft running even with the frame. After do-
ing this, retighten nuts and bolts on the bearing and
replace the chain guard.
•
Engine (refer to Honda owner’s manual).
