Engine Speed Setting; Controlling Cutter Bar Angle; Engaging The Mower Drive; Controlling Ground Speed - Simplicity 707 Owner's Manual

traveled across ends between passes, the third range may be
desirable. It will allow the operator to travel faster if mowing
and ground surface conditions permit, yet the tractor can be
easily slowed by using the hydrostatic transmission control
lever.
ENGINE SPEED SETTING
The engine should be operated at 1/2 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), 1/2 en¬
gine speed may be enough. When cutting heavier material
or when ground speed is faster, the engine must be operated
at higher speeds so the sickle knives cut all 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 hydrau¬
lic lift lever should be pulled back to the raised position. The
cutter bar can be 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 minute or less.
ENGAGING THE MOWER DRIVE
The mower drive should only be engaged when the cutter
bar is lowered to an angle of 45 degrees or closer to the
ground.
DO NOT OPERATE THE MOWER WHEN IT IS IN
THE VERTICAL TRANSPORT POSITION.
After the en¬
gine has been started, the mower may be engaged by push¬
ing the front clutch switch forward to the
ON
position.
CONTROLLING GROUND SPEED
Ground speed can be easily and quickly controlled by using
the tractor hydrostatic transmission control lever. The best
ground speed will vary greatly with the type of terrain and
the amount and type of material being cut. For most condi¬
tions, 3-4 MPH will be a good starting speed. Refer to the
operation chart in the operation section of the 4040 tractor
owners manual for approximate control settings to achieve
these speeds.
CAUTION: BE PARTICULARLY CAREFUL
AND OPERATE AT LOW GROUND SPEED ON SLOPES
OR IN ANY AREA WHERE THE CUTTER BAR MAY
STRIKE SOLID OBJECTS WHICH MIGHT CAUSE THE
TRACTOR TO BE JARRED. GROUND SPEED CAN
EASILY BE VARIED FOR MAKING TURNS, TRAVEL¬
ING AROUND ENDS, AND VARYING MOWING CONDI¬
TIONS BY USING THE HYDROSTATIC SPEED CON¬
TROL LEVER.
CUTTER BAR BREAK-BACK RELEASE
The cutter bar is mounted to the mower frame so it can
pivot or "break-back" if a solid object is struck. This mech¬
anism helps protect the mower as well as the operator. If the
cutter bar should break away while you are using it, stop the
forward travel of the tractor, then disengage the mower
drive by moving the
FRONT CLUTCH
switch to
OFF.
Back the tractor slowly and the cutter bar should snap back
into operating position. If it does not, or if the cutter bar
may have been damaged, stop the engine, set the parking
brake and inspect the cutter bar. Adjustment of the break¬
back mechanism is explained on page 8.
MOWING PATTERN
The size and type of area to be mowed determine the best
mowing pattern. Obstructions such as trees, fences, and
buildings, must also be considered. In general, when using a
sickle bar mower, it is desirable to go one round counter¬
clockwise around the area to be mowed to mow the grass
next to fences, buildings and so forth. After this first round,
the remainder of the mowing should be done in a clockwise
direction so that the tractor wheels do not run over the un¬
cut area. In a rectangular area, which may be nearly square,
it is usually most effecient to mow all four sides of the area.
In a long narrow field it may be easier and quicker to mow
only the two long sides of the field and drive along the ends
with the sickle bar slightly raised.
Turning corners when using a sickle bar mower can be done
either of two ways. A sharp right turn may be made at each
corner so that the sickle bar swings back and immediately
begins cutting the next side of the field. Making corners in
this manner requires some practice and the tractor steering
brakes must be used individually. See the tractor owners
manual. When approaching a corner, use the hydrostatic
speed control lever to slow the tractor ground speed. Turn
the tractor steering wheel quickly to the right and press the
right brake pedal to bring the tractor around the corner
sharply. After completing the turn, return the hydrosta¬
tic speed control lever to the original position.
Since the cutter bar of the Simplicity sickle bar mower can
be easily raised using the tractor hydraulic system it may of¬
ten be desirable to make corners by making a tight left turn
at the end of each mowing strip. As soon as the cutter bar
completes cutting a strip, raise it slightly to bring it above the
cut material so it does not plug the guards, and make a tight
left turn of 270 degrees and bring the tractor alongside the
next side of the unmowed area. Using the left wheel brake
will aid in making a sharper turn. Making corners in this man¬
ner will normally be neater, and is a little easier to do than
making sharp right hand turns.
ADJUSTMENTS
MOWER DRIVE BELT TENSION ADJUSTMENT
See figure 19. Tension on the mower drive belt is checked
by measuring distance (A). The distance should be 1/2" to
5/8" when the belt is properly installed and the belt tighten¬
ing handle (B) is pushed down and back in the tightened po¬
sition. If belt tension requires adjustment, proceed as fol¬
lows:
1. See figure 19. Release tension on the drive belt by pulling
forward and up on the belt tightening handle (B).
2. See figure 19. Loosen the screw in set collar (C), and pull
rod (D) forward so more of it is exposed to increase belt
tension or push the rod back to decrease belt tension.
3. Tighten the screw in set collar (C).
4. Tighten the belt and check the belt tension distance. (Fig¬
ure 19, Item A).
5. See figure 9. Check the distance at (A). There should be
at least 1/4" clearance between the belt and the tractor bat¬
tery and frame. If there is not, proceed as follows:
a. Pull the belt tightening handle (Figure 19, Item B) for¬
ward to release belt tension.
b. See Figure 1. Loosen capscrew (D) so idler pulley (E)
can be moved forward or rearward in the slot.
c. Move idler pulley (E) forward or rearward as required
to center the belt between the tractor frame and bat¬
tery (Figure 9, Item A). Moving idler pulley (B) for-
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