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Section 2: Operating Instructions
!
DANGER
Do not operate and/or travel across steep inclines where a
tractor can roll-over resulting in serious injury or death.
Consult your tractor's manual for acceptable inclines the
tractor is capable of traveling across.
!
DANGER
Do not use mower to lift or carry objects. Lifting and/or
carrying objects can result in damage to the mower, serious
bodily injury or death.
!
DANGER
Do not use mower as a working platform. The mower is not
properly designed or guarded for this. Using the mower as a
working platform can cause serious injury or death.
!
WARNING
Always disengage PTO, engage parking brake, shut tractor
engine off, remove switch key and wait for blades to come a
complete stop before dismounting from tractor.
!
WARNING
The FM3188 is designed to cut grass and brush up to 1"
diameter and the FM4188 will cut up to 2" diameter brush.
Using this mower for another type of work can damage the
cutting components, drive components, mower frame and
tractor.
!
CAUTION
Do not over speed PTO or machine damage may result. This
mower is designed to be used only with a tractor having a
540 RPM rear PTO.
Mowing Instructions
1. Clear area to be mowed of objects and debris that
might be picked up and thrown by the mower blades.
Do not use mower on stony ground.
2. Make the following machine checks before operating
the mower.
•
All hook-up pins should be secured.
•
All shields should be in place and secured.
•
All bolts and nuts should be present and tight.
•
Make sure the knives are not be broken or loose.
3. Grass is best cut when it is dry. Mowing wet grass
can cause plugging resulting in grass clumps behind
the mower.
4. Grass should be mowed frequently as shorter
clippings deteriorate faster.
5. If mowing extremely tall grass, it is best to raise
cutting height and mow the area, then lower cutting
height and mow a second time at the desired height.
14
FM3188 & FM4188 Flail Mowers 309-523M
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Brush Rake Teeth
The FM4188 comes equipped with adjustable brush rake
teeth. Adjust teeth closer to the ground to allow
continued chopping of material into fine cuttings before
final dispersal or raise teeth fully up to discharge material
quickly. Refer to "Brush Rake Teeth Adjustment" on
page 17.
Operating Instructions
Proper servicing and adjustments are the key to the long
life of any machine. With careful and systematic
inspection of the mower, costly maintenance, time and
repair can be avoided.
!
When mowing in sandy soil areas, wear may occur to the
mower knives from sand erosion. Frequent inspection should
be made and knives replaced if damaged.
Before beginning to mow, the following inspection and
checks should be performed:
1. Check oil level in gearbox. Refer to "Section 4:
Maintenance & Lubrication" on page 18.
2. Check that all plugs in gearbox have been replaced
and tightened properly.
3. Be sure all mower knives, bolts and nuts are tight.
4. Be certain all guards and shields are in place and
secure.
5. Grease driveline shaft and all other grease fittings.
6. Clear area to be mowed of rocks, branches and other
foreign objects. Do not use mower on stony ground.
7. Lower mower to ground. Set tractor throttle at
approximately 1/4 open. Engage PTO to start blades
rotating.
8. Operate with 540 rpm PTO tractor. At first begin
mowing at a slow forward speed and shift up until the
desired speed is achieved maintaining 540 rpm PTO.
The rotor knives will cut better at full blade speed
than at reduced throttle.
9. After mowing the first 50 feet, stop and check to see
that the mower is adjusted properly.
10. Do not make sharp turns or attempt to back up while
mower is on the ground.
11. Never work close to or on steep slopes.
12. Do not engage PTO with mower in the fully raised
position. Do not engage PTO at full throttle. Do not
lift mower with PTO engage.
13. Do not allow anyone including yourself near the
mower when it is operating.
14. Periodically check for foreign objects wrapped
around the rotor shaft and remove them after
disengaging PTO, turning off tractor, and removing
ignition key.
CAUTION
6/24/11
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