Operating Tips - Toro Groundsmaster 4500-D Operator's Manual

Operating Tips

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 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 1
direction.
Adjusting the Counterbalance
The counterbalance system maintains hydraulic back pressure
on the deck lift cylinders. This counterbalance pressure
transfers mower 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 mower
deck, but can decrease the traction capability. Choose a higher
counterbalance setting to increase the traction capability,
but may result in after-cut appearance issues. Reference the
Service Manual for your machine for instructions to adjust
counterbalance pressure.
Resolving Aftercut Appearance
Reference the Aftercut Appearance Troubleshooting Guide
available at www.Toro.com.
Transporting the Machine
Lock the brake pedals together with the pedal-locking latch
while transporting the machine.
Using the Transport Latches
Model No. 30874
Use the 2 rear-transport latches for the No. 6 and 7 mower
decks when moving the machine over long distances, rough
terrain, when transporting, or storing the machine.
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
buildup in the mower housing, cutting performance will
decline.
Note: Lower the mower decks to the ground whenever the
machine is parked. This relieves the hydraulic load from the
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Figure 23