Operation - Billy Goat OS901SPS Owner's Manual

OPERATION

FOLDING HANDLE
This unit is equipped with a folding upper handle for easier storage and transportation. The handle can be folded by
sliding the handle lock loops (item 35) up. This releases the upper handle, allowing it to be folded over the unit.
ADJUSTING BLADE DEPTH
The depth of the blades can be raised or lowered by rotating the knob
located at the rear of the machine. The relative depth of the blades can be
gauged by using the depth scale located on the rear of the machine and the
bar next to it.
BLADE POSITION & DEPTH CONTROL LEVER
The blades can be raised or lowered into the ground by height adjustment foot pedal at the rear of the unit.
The blades will be in their lowered position when the foot pedal is unlocked from the bracket and will be in
transport position when the pedal is locked to the bracket. See images below for operation. The resulting
blade depth can be adjusted higher or lower.
See ADJUSTING BLADE DEPTH above.
SLICING TIPS
Before beginning, it is best to evaluate the condition of the lawn by cutting one or more core
samples from area to be treated. A core can be cut using a piece of pvc, or metal pipe.
Hammer the pipe into the ground, remove it, push the core out of the pipe and inspect it to
determine the depth of thatch in your yard.
THATCH: Thatch is a dense layer of dead grass, clippings, and roots that builds up over time
at the base of the lawn preventing air, water, and fertilizer from reaching the soil. This can
cause shallow root development and make a lawn more susceptible to drought and disease.
Thatch also provides an ideal environment for insects to hide and multiply. Periodic removal of
thatch will keep your lawn in good health.
HEAVY THATCH: Lawns with an excessive amount of thatch will require multiple treatments
for effective removal. Trying to remove excessive thatch (greater than 3/4"[19 mm] deep) in
one treatment will damage or destroy the living part of the lawn. It is best to remove heavy
thatch in seasonal treatments (i.e. spring, and fall).
SLOPES: Rake slopes across not up and down. This is much easier and safer for the operator
and is better for the lawn. Raking across will help to reduce runoff during watering and allow
the sloped ground to hold more seed, fertilizer, and water. The unit's maximum operating slope
is 35% or 19°.
DEPTH: The wide range of depth adjustment on your unit is provided to allow for blade wear.
Setting the reel deeper will not produce better, or quicker results. The slicing reel should be set
even with the ground for verti-slicing work, and set to a maximum 1/2" depth for overseeding
jobs. Setting the reel deeper than this will only result in premature wear on the unit (i.e. failed
belt). If you desire to work the ground deeper than the above guidelines allow, it should be
done gradually in multiple passes..
VERTICUTTING / OVERSEEDING: Mow the lawn to shorter than the normal cut height before
starting (i.e. approximately 2" tall for fescue grass). For the best result, Slice/Overseed in criss-
cross pattern (See Fig. 1 and See Fig 2).
Part No 351520
OS901SP Owner's Manual
Pressing on the
outside tabs of the
pedal will allow it to
unlock from the
bracket and lower
into position.
Pressing on the
center of the pedal
and pushing it into
the bracket will
allow it to be locked
in transport position.
7
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Form No F022513A