Driving (Traversing) The Verticutter; Verticutting - GRADEN Contour Sand Injection Verticutter/Scarifier Owner's Manual

5.3

Driving (Traversing) the Verticutter

1. Put the neutral lever (left side of machine) to the DRIVE position.
2. Use the motion control handles to move in the desired direction.
Push the handle downwards to move forward ; to reverse use the
reverse lever. Maximum reverse speed is considerably slower than
maximum forward speed.
3. Speed is controlled by the pressure applied to the motion control
handles. The further the handles are pushed down, the faster the
forward speed.
4. To turn push the handles left or right. If you do this at high speed you
may lose control of the unit. So until you are familiar with the
controls and the 'feel' of the machine whilst turning, it is important
that you reduce your speed when starting a turn, just like you would
when driving a car around a corner. If you feel the unit is 'getting
away' from you then release the levers and they will return to the
neutral position automatically and the machine will come to a stop
very quickly.
5.4

Verticutting

1. Select the depth of cut via the height adjustment knob on the left
hand side of the rotor housing. Normal range of cut (with standard
210mm blades) is 0mm to 45 mm deep. One revolution of the knob
is approximately equivalent to 1mm change in the cutting depth.
Clockwise rotation of the knob means a shallower cut; anti-
clockwise means a deeper cut. It is recommended to do a test run
if you are unsure of the cutting depth. Measure it and adjust the
setting accordingly.
2. Increase engine speed to maximum rpm ; maximum engine speed
results in a high blade tip speed and a cleaner cut.
3. Engage the blades by slowly pulling the blade engagement handle
toward you. It will lock in the engagement position.
4. Lower the blades into the turf by slowly pushing the lifting/lowering
lever forward. Allow the weight of the Rotor Housing to take the
blades into the turf.
5. Now push down on the Motion Handles until you are travelling at the
desired speed.
6. Steer the machine in a straight line while the blades are cutting.
Trying to change direction while the blades are in the turf may lead
to a furrowing/scalping action and can put undue stress on the
blades.
7. At the end of a pass;
- raise the blades by pulling the lift/lower lever towards you
- steer the Verticutter around to make your next run
repeat from Step 4 onwards
-
For extra safety, disengage the blades before lifting them out of the ground.
This will stop the blades rotating quicker. When travelling from area to area
disengage the blades and raise them.