Mowing With The Machine - Toro 04520 Operator's Manual

1. Reel speed control
Note: You can increase or decrease the reel speed to
compensate for turf conditions.

Mowing with the Machine

Note: 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.
Note: Before mowing, 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.
1. Approach the green with the shift selector in the No.
1 position. Start on one edge of the green so that the
ribbon procedure of cutting may be used. This holds
compaction to a minimum and leaves a neat, attractive
pattern on the greens.
2. Actuate the mow pedal 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.
3. 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
Figure 38
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 39). 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
1
from the front of the machine (Figure 39).
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g014623
1. Alignment marker
2. Cut grass on left
4. As the front of the baskets cross the edge of the
green, depress the lift pedal. 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
5. 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.
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.
6. Finish cutting the green by mowing the outer periphery.
Be sure to change the direction of cutting from the
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3
1
G017821
Figure 39
3. Keep focal spot 1.8-3
m (6-10 ft) ahead of the
machine.