Mowing The Green - Toro Greensmaster eTriFlex 3360 Operator's Manual

Mowing the Green

Before mowing greens, find a clear area and practice
performing basic machine functions (e.g., starting and
stopping the machine, raising and lowering the cutting
units, and turning).
Inspect the green for debris, remove anything that
may damage the cutting units while mowing, 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 are
less apt to lay down and will have a greater chance
of being cut.
Cutting the Green
1. Start on 1 edge of the green so that you can use
the ribbon procedure of cutting.
Note:
This holds compaction to a minimum and
leaves a neat, attractive pattern on the greens.
2. Move the function-control switch to the M
position.
3. Push forward the lift/lower mow lever as the
front edges of the grass baskets cross the outer
edge of the green.
Note:
This procedure drops the cutting units to
the turf and starts the reels.
Important:
The center cutting unit lifts or
lowers slightly after the front cutting units
do; therefore, you should practice gaining
the required timing necessary to minimize
the cleanup mowing operation and prevent
scalping of the fringe.
The center cutting unit lift and lower is based
on ground speed. A slower ground speed
increases the lift or lower delay; a faster
speed decreases the lift or lower delay. The
machine monitors the ground speed and
updates this delay so that all three cutting
units drop in a line.
4. Overlap a minimal amount with the previous cut
on return passes.
Note:
To assist in maintaining a straight line
across the green and keeping the machine an
equal distance from the edge of the previous cut,
imagine a 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
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 from the front of the machine.
5. As the front edges of the baskets cross the edge
of the green, pull back the lift/lower joystick
OW
(Figure 33). Include
30
rearward and hold it until all the cutting units
have risen. This stops the reels and lifts the
cutting units.
Important:
Time this step correctly so that
you do not cut into the fringe area, yet cut as
much of the green as possible to minimize
the amount of grass left to mow around the
outer periphery.
6. To cut down on operating time and to ease the
lineup for the next pass, momentarily turn the
machine in the opposite direction, then turn
it in the direction of the uncut portion. This
movement is a tear-shaped turn
which quickly lines the machine up for your next
pass.
Note:
If the slow in turn function is engaged,
the machine slows down during the turn without
requiring you to release pressure on the traction
pedal.
Figure 32
Note:
Try to make as short of a turn as possible,
except during warmer weather—a wider arc
minimizes the turf bruising.
(Figure 32),
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