Operating Tips - Toro Groundsmaster 4500-D Operator's Manual

Figure 31

Operating Tips

Changing Mowing Patterns
Change mowing patterns often to minimize a poor
after-cut appearance from repeatedly mowing in the
same direction.
Resolving After-Cut Appearance
Refer to the After-cut Appearance Troubleshooting
Guide available at www.Toro.com.
Using Proper 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 teardrop-shaped turn to quickly line up for your
next pass.
•
Bolt-in mulching baffles are available for the
cutting units. The mulching baffles perform well
when you maintain turf on a regular schedule
to avoid removing more than 25 mm (1 inch) of
growth per cutting. When you cut too much growth
with the mulching baffles installed, the 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.
Selecting the Proper Height-of-Cut
Setting to Suit Conditions
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Remove no more than approximately 25 mm (1 inch),
or 1/3 of the grass blade when cutting. In exceptionally
lush and dense grass, you may need to raise your
height-of-cut setting.
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
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the edges, which impairs growth and increases
susceptibility to diseases. Ensure that the blade is
in good condition and that there is a full sail; refer to
Servicing the Blade Plane (page
Checking the Condition of the
Cutting Unit
Ensure that the cutting chambers are in good
condition. Straighten any bends in the chamber
components to ensure correct blade tip/chamber
clearance. Ensure all rollers and pivoting joints do
not have play in them to prevent turf damage or poor
after cut appearance.
Maintaining the Machine after
Mowing
After mowing, thoroughly wash the machine with a
garden hose with no nozzle to avoid contamination
and damage to the seals and bearings caused
by excessive water pressure. Ensure that the
radiator and oil cooler are kept free of dirt or grass
clippings. After cleaning, inspect the machine for
possible hydraulic-fluid leaks, damage, or wear to the
hydraulic and mechanical components, and check the
cutting-unit blades for sharpness.
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