Training Period; Mowing - Toro 04530 Operator's Manual

motors or hoses could result. If you must move the
machine without the cutting units installed, secure
them to the suspension arms using cable ties.
5. Open the latches on the suspension-arm bar of the
cutting unit you are removing (Figure 33).
6. Disconnect the latches from the cutting-unit bar.
7. Roll the cutting unit out from under the suspension
arm.
8. Repeat steps 3 through 7 for the other cutting units
as required.
9. Connect the cutting unit power disconnect couplers;
refer to Cutting Unit Power Disconnect (page 25).

Training Period

Before mowing greens with the machine, it is recommended
that you find a clear area and practice starting and stopping,
raising and lowering the cutting units, turning, etc. This
training period will be beneficial to the operator in gaining
confidence in the performance of the machine.

Mowing

1. Inspect the green for debris, remove the flag from the
cup, and determine the best direction to mow. Base the
direction to mow on the previous mowing direction.
Always mow in an alternate pattern from the previous
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.
2. Approach the green with the functional control lever in
the Mow position and the throttle at full speed. Start
on one edge of the green so the ribbon procedure
of cutting may be used. This holds compaction to a
minimum and leaves a neat, attractive pattern on the
greens.
3. Actuate the raise/lower mow lever 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.
4. 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 1.8 to 3 m (6 to
10 ft) ahead of the machine to the edge of the uncut
portion of the green (Figure 38). 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 38).
5. As the front of the baskets cross the edge of the green,
move the raise/lower mow lever rearward. 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.
6. 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.
2
1. Alignment marker
2. Cut grass on left
Note: Due to the nature of the power steering system,
the steering wheel will not return to its original position
after a turn has been completed.
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.
7. If the leak detector alarm sounds while cutting on a
green, immediately raise the cutting units, drive directly
off of the green and stop the machine in an area away
32
3
1
G017821
Figure 38
3. Keep focal spot 1.8-3
m (6-10 ft) ahead of the
machine.