Lowering The Cutter Bar; Engine Speed Setting; Controlling Cutter Bar Angle; Engaging The Power Takeoff - Simplicity 785 Owner's Manual

Figure?. Sickle har raised with tractor lift.
When transporting the sickle bar mower tractor ground speed
should be adjusted according to the type and condition of
the ground surface.
CAUTION: REDUCE SPEED OVER ANY AREAS WHICH
ARE ROUGH. SLOPING OR WHERE THERE ARE OB¬
STACLES ON WHICH THE CUTTER BAR MIGHT CATCH.
LOWERING THE CUTTER BAR
After transporting the mower to the area to be cut, the
sickle bar should be lowered to the operating position as
shown in figure 0. CAUTION: USE CARE WHEN HAND¬
LING THE SICKLE BAR TO PREVENT INJURY FROM
THE SHARP KNIVES.
See figure 6. To lower the cutter bar. unhook the transport
chain (A) and slowly lower the cutter bar, until it rests
on the ground or is held up at an angle by the tractor lift
system.
See figure 2. Place the transport chain inside the tractor
frame and place the hook as shown at (F). It will remain in
this position during operation and not interfere with the cut¬
ter har.
Use the tractor lift lever or electric lift switch to lower the
cutter hat so it rests on the ground.
ENGINE SPEED SETTING
The tractor engine should be operated at 3/4 to full speed
when using the sickle bar mower. If the material to be mowed
is light, and the ground speed slow (less than 3 MPH) 3/4
engine speed may be enough. When cutting heavier material
or when ground speed 1s faster the engine must he operated
at higher speeds so the sickle knives cut all of the material.
CONTROLLING CUTTER BAR ANGLE
When it is desirable to raise the cutter bar to lift it over ob¬
jects, or for transporting short distances, the tractor lift sys¬
tem can he used to raise the cutter bar to an angle. The cut¬
ter bar can he raised to an angle of approximately 45 de¬
grees. It is not necessary to disengage the mower drive when
raising the cutter bar in this manner for a short period of
time.
ENGAGING THE POWER TAKE OFF
See figure 9. After the tractor engine has been started and is
running at about 3/4 to full speed the mower may be en¬
gaged by pushing forward on the tractor power take off con¬
trol lever (Figure 9, Item A).
CONTROLLING GROUND SPEED
The best ground speed will vary with the type of terrain and
the amount and condition of the material being cut- Ground
speed should be controlled by the tractor transmission.
Where conditions are normal, the terrain is smooth, and the
material being cut is dry, a ground speed of 3 to 4 MPH may
be best. However, if the terrain is rough and the material be¬
ing cut is wet or thick, a slower ground speed of about 2 MPH
is sufficient. The operation chart in your tractor owner's
manual shows the approximate control settings to obtain
these speeds.
CUTTER BAR BREAK BACK RELEASE
The cutter bar is mounted to the mower frame so it is free
to pivot or break hack alongside the tractor if a solid object
is struck. This mechanism helps protect the mower as well
as the operator. If the cutter bar should break away while
you are using itr stop the forward travel of the tractor, and
disengage the mower drive. Back the tractor slowly and the
cutter bar should snap back in operating position. If it does
not, or if the cutter bar has been damaged, stop the engine,
set the parking brake, and inspect the cutter bar. Adjustment
of the break back mechanism is explained on page 5.
Figure 8. Sickle bar lowered to operating position. Figure 9. Tractor power take off control lever.
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