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Operating Characteristics
DANGER
The mower has a unique traction system that will
allow the machine to move forward on side hills,
even if the uphill wheel should come of the
ground. If this should happen, the operator or any
bystanders can be seriously injured or killed in a
rollover.
The slope angle at which the machine will tip
depends on many factors. Among these are
mowing conditions such as wet or undulating turf,
speed (especially in turns), position of the cutting
units (with Sidewinder) tire pressure and operator
experience.
At side hill angles of 20 degrees or less the risk of
a rollover is low. As the slope angle increases to a
Toro recommended maximum limit of 25 degrees
the risk of a rollover increases to a moderate
level. DO NOT EXCEED A 25 DEGREE SIDE
HILL SLOPE ANGLE BECAUSE THE RISK OF
A ROLLOVER AND SERIOUS INJURY OR
DEATH IS VERY HIGH.
To determine the hills on you may safely operate,
do a site survey of the mowing area. When
performing this site survey always use common
sense and take into consideration the turf
condition and the rollover risk. Use the
inclinometer provided with each machine. To
perform a site survey, lay a 1.25 meter plank on
the slope surface and measure the angle of the
slope. The plank will average the slope but will
not take into consideration dips or holes that can
cause a sudden change in hill side angle. THE
MAXIMUM HILL SIDE ANGLE SHOULD
NOT BE GREATER THAN 25 DEGREES.
Additionally, the Groundsmaster 3500-D is
equipped with an angle indicator mounted on the
steering tube. This indicates the hill side angle the
machine is on and identifies the recommended
maximum limit of 25 degrees.
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT
.
Operation
Practice operating the machine and become
thoroughly familiar with it.
Start the engine and run it at half idle until it warms
up. 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 going forward and in reverse, starting and
stopping the machine. To stop, take your foot off
the traction pedal and let it return to neutral or press
down on the reverse pedal to stop. Going down a
hill, you may need to use the reverse pedal to stop.
When driving on slopes, drive slowly to maintain
steering control and avoid turns to prevent
rollovers. In hill side situations, you should shift the
sidewinder cutting units to the uphill side to give
you more stability. Conversely, shifting the cutting
units to the downhill side will give you less
stability. This should always be done before going
on a hillside.
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.
Don't try to turn on a hill.
Practice driving around obstacles with the decks up
and down. Be careful when driving between
narrow objects so you don't damage the machine or
cutting units.
On the Sidewinder unit, get a feel for the reach of
the cutting units so you don't hang them up or
damage them in any way.
Don't shift the units from side to side, unless the
cutting units are down and the machine is moving,
or the cutting units are up in the transport position.
Shifting the cutting units when they are down and
the machine is not moving may cause turf damage.
The Groundsmaster is a precision mowing machine,
so always drive slowly in rough areas.
If a person appears in or near the operating area,
stop the machine, and don't start up again until the
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