Toro 30809 Operator's Manual page 31

Mowing Patterns
Change mowing patterns often to minimize aftercut
appearance issues induced by repetitive operation in only one
direction.
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 aftercut 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 aftercut appearance issues. Reference the
service manual for your traction unit for instructions to adjust
counterbalance pressure.
Resolving Aftercut Appearance
Reference Aftercut Appearance Troubleshooting Guide
available at www.Toro.com
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 you up for your next pass.
•
To mow around bunkers, ponds, or other contours
easily, use the Sidewinder and move the control lever left
or right, depending on your mowing application. The
cutting units can also be shifted to vary tire tracking.
•
The cutting units tend to throw grass to the left side
of the machine. If trimming around bunkers, it is best
to mow in a clockwise direction to prevent throwing
clippings into the bunker.
•
The cutting units can be equipped with bolt-in mulching
baffles. The mulching baffles perform well when turf is
maintained on a regular schedule to avoid removing more
than 25 mm (1 inch) of growth per cutting. When too
much growth is cut with the mulching baffles installed,
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 of the year.
Mow 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.
Select the Proper Height-of-Cut Setting
to Suit Conditions
Remove approximately one inch or no more than 1/3 of
the grass blade when cutting. In exceptionally lush and
dense grass you may have to raise your height–of–cut setting
another notch.
Always Start 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. Make sure
blade is in good condition and a full sail is present.
Check Condition of cutting unit
Make sure cutting chambers are in good condition. Straighten
any bends in chamber components to assure correct blade
tip/chamber clearance.
After Mowing
At the completion of mowing operation, thoroughly wash the
machine with a garden hose without a nozzle so that excessive
water pressure will not cause contamination and damage to
the seals and bearings. Make sure that the radiator and oil
cooler are kept free of dirt or grass clippings. After cleaning,
it is recommended that the machine be inspected for possible
hydraulic fluid leaks, damage or wear to the hydraulic and
mechanical components, and the cutting unit blades checked
for sharpness.
Important: After washing the machine, move the
Sidewinder mechanism from left to right several times to
remove water between the bearing blocks and cross tube.
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