Mowing Procedures - Toro 04520 Operator's Manual

mowing so that the grass blades will be less apt to lay
down and therefore be difficult to trap between the reel
blades and bedknife.

Mowing Procedures

1. Approach the green with the shift selector in the
No. 1 position. Start on one edge of the green so
that the ribbon procedure of cutting may be used.
This holds compaction to a minimum and leaves a
neat, attractive pattern on the greens.
2. Actuate the mow pedal as the front edge of the
grass baskets cross the outer edge of the green.
This procedure drops the cutting units to the turf
and starts the reels.
Important: Familiarize yourself with the fact
that the No. 1 cutting unit reel is delayed and
therefore, you should practice to try to gain
the required timing necessary to minimize the
cleanup mowing operation.
3. Overlap a minimal amount with the previous cut
on return passes. To assist in maintaining a straight
line across the green and keep the machine an
equal distance from the edge of the previous cut,
establish an imaginary sight line approximately 6 to
10 ft (1.8 to 3 m) ahead of the machine to the edge
of the uncut portion of the green (Figure 39 and
Figure 40). Some find it useful to include the outer
edge of the steering wheel as part of the sight line;
i.e. keep the steering wheel edge aligned with a point
that is always kept the same distance away from the
front of the machine (Figure 39 and Figure 40).
1. Alignment strip
2. Approximately 5 inches
(12.7 cm)
4. As the front of the baskets cross the edge of the
green, depress the lift pedal. This will stop the reels
and lift the cutting units. Timing of this procedure is
important, so the mowers do not cut into the fringe
area. However, as much of the green as possible
should be cut to minimize the amount of grass left
to mow around the outer periphery
5. Cut down on operating time and ease lineup for the
next pass by momentarily turning the machine in
the opposite direction, then turning in the direction
of the uncut portion; i.e., if intending to turn right,
first swing slightly left, then right. This will assist in
getting the machine more quickly aligned for the
next pass. Follow the same procedure for turning in
the opposite direction. It is a good practice to try to
make as short of a turn as possible. However, turn
in a wider arc during warmer weather to minimize
the possibility of bruising the turf.
Important: The machine should never be
stopped on a green with the cutting unit reels
operating as damage to the turf may result.
Stopping on a wet green with the machine may
leave marks or indentations from the wheels.
6. Finish cutting the green by mowing the outer
periphery. Be sure to change the direction of cutting
from the previous mowing. Always keep weather
and turf conditions in mind and be sure to change
the direction of mowing from the previous cutting.
Replace the flag.
33
Figure 40
3. Cut grass on left
4. Keep focal spot 6-10 ft
(1.8-3 m) ahead of the
machine.