Section 3: Operating Instructions
12/4/18
21
General Operating Instructions
It is important that you familiarized yourself with the
Operator’s Manual, completed the Operators Checklist,
properly attached the cutter to your tractor, made leveling
adjustments, and preset your cutting height before
beginning a running operational safety check on your
Land Pride RCR26 Series Rotary Cutter.
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.
If you have a three point hitch or optional Quick Hitch
model make sure before starting the tractor that the park
brake is engaged, the power take-off is disengaged, and
the cutter is resting on the ground. Start the tractor and
set the engine throttle speed at a low idle. Raise the
cutter with the tractor’s rear hydraulic lift control lever to
transport position making sure that the power take-off
shaft does not bind and does not contact the cutter frame.
Lower the cutter to the ground and at a low engine speed
engage the power take-off. If everything is running
smoothly at a low idle, slowly raise the cutter to transport
height checking for bind or chatter in the driveline. Lower
the cutter to the ground and increase the tractor’s engine
rpm until it reaches the cutter’s full power take-off
operating speed of 540 rpm. If everything is still running
smoothly, once more raise the cutter to transport height
to check for driveline bind or chatter. Lower the cutter to
the ground, return the engine to a low idle, and disengage
the power take-off. Position the 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 roadway 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 the grass fails to
rebound. Should this happens you may try reversing the
direction of cut and/or double cut to achieve the 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 the tractor and cutter. Slow down in turns and
avoid sharp turns if at all possible. Remember to look
back often.
Now that you’re prepared and well briefed, you may begin
cutting. Begin cutting by doing the following:
•
Reducing tractor’s engine rpm
•
Make sure the cutter is on the ground in cutting position
•
Engage the power take-off, raise the engine rpm to the
appropriate power take-off speed, and begin mowing.
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 quality of cut. With a little practice you will be
pleased with what you and your Land Pride RCR26
Series 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 the power
take-off
•
Stop on level ground and set the park brake
•
Turn off the engine, remove switch key, and stay on the
tractor until the cutter blades have come to a complete
dead stop.