Operating Tips - Toro Groundsmaster 3500-G Operator's Manual

Operating Tips

Creating a Site Survey
To perform a site survey, lay a 1.25 m plank (4 ft long 2 x 4)
on the slope surface and measure the angle of the slope with
the inclinometer provided with the machine. The plank (2 x
4) will average the slope but will not take into consideration
dips or holes which can cause a sudden change in side hill
angle. After completing the site survey, refer to
(page 24).
Additionally, the machine is equipped with an angle indicator
mounted on the steering tube. This indicates the side hill
angle that the machine is on.
Always wear your seat belt.
Operating the Machine
•
Start the engine and run it at
Push the throttle lever all the way forward, lift the cutting
units, disengage the parking brake, press the forward
traction pedal, and carefully drive to an open area.
•
Practice moving forward and reverse, and starting and
stopping the machine. To stop the machine, remove your
foot from the traction pedal and let it return to N
or press down on the reverse pedal.
Note: When going downhill in the machine, you may
need to use the reverse pedal to stop.
•
When possible, mow up and down hills rather than across
them. Have the cutting units lowered when going down a
hill to maintain steering control. Do not attempt to turn
the machine on a hill.
•
Practice driving around obstacles with the cutting units
up and down. Be careful when driving between narrow
objects so that you do not damage the machine or cutting
units.
•
On the Sidewinder unit, get accustomed to the reach of
the cutting units so that you do not hang them up or
damage them.
•
Do not shift the cutting units from side to side unless
they are down and the machine is moving, or the cutting
units are in the transport position. Shifting the cutting
units when they are down and the machine is not moving
may damage the turf.
•
Always drive slowly in rough areas.
•
The Sidewinder unit offers up to a maximum of 33 cm
(13 inches) of overhang, allowing you to trim closer to the
edge of sand traps and other obstacles, while, at the same
time, keeping the tractor tires as far away from the edge
of traps or water hazards as possible.
•
If an obstacle is in the way, shift the cutting units to mow
around it.
•
When transporting the machine from 1 work area to
another, raise the cutting units to the fully upward
Slope Safety
until it warms up.
HALF IDLE
EUTRAL
position, move the mow/transport slide to the left to
transport, and place the throttle in the F
Changing Mowing Patterns
Change mowing patterns often to minimize a poor after-cut
appearance from repeatedly mowing in the same direction.
Understanding Counterbalance
The counterbalance system maintains hydraulic back pressure
on the deck-lift cylinders. This counterbalance pressure
transfers mower deck weight to the mower drive wheels to
improve traction. The counterbalance pressure has been set
at the factory to an optimal balance of after-cut appearance
and traction capability in most turf conditions. Decreasing
the counterbalance setting can produce a more stable mower
deck, but can decrease the traction capability. Increasing the
counterbalance setting can increase the traction capability,
but may result in a poor after-cut appearance. Refer to the
Service Manual for your traction unit for instructions to adjust
the counterbalance pressure.
Resolving After-Cut Appearance
Reference the After-cut Appearance Troubleshooting Guide
available at www.Toro.com.
Using Proper Mowing Techniques
•
To begin cutting, engage the cutting units, then approach
the mowing area slowly. Once the front cutting units are
over the mowing area, lower the cutting units.
•
To achieve the professional straight-line cut and striping
that is desirable for some applications, find a tree or other
object in the distance and drive straight toward it.
•
As soon as the front cutting units reach the edge of
the mowing area, lift the cutting units, and perform a
tear-drop-shaped turn to quickly line up for your next
pass.
•
To mow around bunkers, ponds, or other contours easily,
use the Sidewinder unit and move the control lever to the
left or right, depending on your mowing application. You
can also shift the cutting units to vary the tire tracking.
•
The cutting units tend to throw grass to the left side of
the machine. If you are trimming around bunkers, it is
best to mow in a clockwise direction to prevent throwing
clippings into the bunker.
•
Bolt-in mulching baffles are available for the cutting units.
The mulching baffles perform well when you maintain
turf on a regular schedule to avoid removing more than
25 mm (1 inch) of growth per cutting. When you cut
too much growth with the mulching baffles installed, the
after-cut appearance may deteriorate and the observed
power to cut the turf increases. The mulching baffles also
perform well for shredding leaves in the fall.
28
position.
AST