Toro 30873 Operator's Manual page 34

WARNING
This product is designed to drive objects into the
ground where they lose energy quickly in grass
areas. However, careless operation, combined with
terrain angle, ricochets, or improperly positioned
safety guard can lead to thrown object injuries.
• When a person or pet appears suddenly in or
near the mowing area, stop mowing.
• Do not resume mowing until the area is cleared.
Important: Allow the engine to idle for 5 minutes before
shutting it off after a full-load operation. This allows the
turbocharger to cool down before shutting the engine
off. Failure to do so may lead to turbocharger trouble.
Before stopping the engine, disengage all controls and move
the throttle to Slow. Moving the throttle to Slow reduces
engine speed, noise, and vibration. Turn the key to the Off
position to stop the engine.
Mowing When Grass is Dry
Mow either in the late morning to avoid the dew, which causes
grass clumping, or in late afternoon to avoid the damage
that can be caused by direct sunlight on the sensitive, freshly
mowed grass.
Selecting the Proper Height of Cut
Remove approximately 25 mm (1 inch) or no more than 1/3
of the grass blade when cutting. In exceptionally lush and
dense grass, you may have to raise the height of cut to the
next setting.
Mowing at Proper Intervals
Under most normal conditions you will need to mow
approximately every 4 to 5 days. But remember, grass grows
at different rates at different times. This means that in order
to maintain the same height of cut, which is a good practice,
you will need to cut more frequently in early spring; as the
grass growth rate slows in midsummer, cut only every 8 to 10
days. If you are unable to mow for an extended period due
to weather conditions or other reasons, mow first with the
height of cut at a high level; then mow again 2 to 3 days later
with a lower height setting.
Mowing with Sharp Blades
A sharp blade cuts cleanly and without tearing or shredding
the grass blades like a dull blade. Tearing and shredding
causes the grass to turn brown at the edges which impairs
growth and increases susceptibility to diseases.
Changing Mowing Patterns
Change mowing patterns often to minimize after-cut
appearance issues induced by repetitive operation in only one
direction.
Adjusting the Counterbalance
The counterbalance system maintains hydraulic back pressure
on the deck lift cylinders. This counterbalance pressure
transfers cutting deck weight to the mower's drive wheels
to improve traction. The counterbalance pressure has been
factory set to an optimal balance of after-cut appearance and
traction capability in most turf conditions. Decreasing the
counterbalance setting can produce a more stable cutting
deck, but can decrease the traction capability. Increasing the
counterbalance setting can increase the traction capability,
but may result in after-cut appearance issues. Reference the
service manual for your traction unit for instructions to adjust
counterbalance pressure.
Resolving Aftercut Appearance
Reference the Aftercut Appearance Troubleshooting Guide
available at www.Toro.com.
Transporting (Groundsmaster 4700-D
Only)
Use the 2 rear transport latches for the outer cutting units
when transporting over long distances, rough terrain, or when
trailering.
Cleaning and Parking the Machine after
Each Use
To ensure optimum performance, clean the underside of the
mower housings after each use. If residue is allowed to build
up in the mower housing, cutting performance will decline.
Note: Lower the cutting units to the ground whenever the
machine is parked. This relieves the hydraulic load from the
system, prevents wear on system parts, and also prevents
accidental lowering of the cutting units.
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