Land Pride AFM4214 Operator's Manual

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20Section 2: Operating InstructionsAFM4214 and AFM4216 All-Flex Grooming Mowers 315-587M 12/06/11Table of ContentsGeneral Operating InstructionsBy now you should have familiarized yourself with theOperator’s Manual, completed the Operator’s Checklist,set-up the unit properly and attached your Land PrideAll-Flex Mower to your tractor.With the tractor’s park brake engaged and the PTOdisengaged, start the tractor. Using the tractor’shydraulic control levers, retract the hydraulic deck-liftcylinders all the way in and pull the ropes leading to yourtransport locks to release them. With the same controllevers, slowly lower your mowing decks from transportposition to working position on the ground. Havinglowered the decks, shut the tractor off, check to makesure the park brake is set and remove the switch key.Dismount from the tractor and preset your mower to thedesired cutting height.It’s now time to do a running operational safety check. Itis extremely important that if at any time during thissafety check you detect a malfunction in either the moweror tractor that you immediately shut the tractor off,remove the key and set the park brake. Make necessaryrepairs and/or adjustments before continuing on.Make sure before starting the tractor that the mower isproperly attached to the draw bar with both wings downresting on the ground. Also make sure the driveline issecurely coupled to the tractor’s PTO shaft, the hydraulichoses are properly attached to the tractor’s hydraulics,the tractor’s park brake is engaged and the tractor’s PTOdrive is disengaged. Starting the tractor and set theengine throttle speed at a low idle. Engage the tractor’sPTO drive. If everything is running smoothly, slowlyincrease the engine rpm until the tractor’s enginereaches full PTO operating speed of 540 rpm. Ifeverything is still running as it should, then return theengine to low idle and disengage power to the PTO.Under no circumstances should you ever raise thecutting decks into transport position with the PTO driveengaged. Personal injury and machine damage couldresult.You should now be ready to move to your cutting site tobegin mowing. On roadway transport in such a mannerthat faster moving vehicles can easily see you and passyou safely. Reduce your speed when traveling over roughand hilly terrain. Avoid quick or sharp steeringcorrections. Take extra care to insure that the mowerdoesn’t come into contact with obstacles such as trees,buildings or fences. Use accessory lights andappropriate reflective devices to provide adequatewarning to pedestrians and other vehicle operators whentraveling on public roads and in the dark of night. Complywith all local, state and federal laws.It is important that you inspect the area where you will becutting and clear it of safety hazards and foreign objectseither before or after you arrive at the cutting site. Neverassume the area is clear. Cut only in areas you arefamiliar with and are free of debris and unseen objects. Inthe event you do strike an object, stop the mower andtractor immediately to inspect and make any necessaryrepairs before resuming operation. It really pays toinspect a new area and to develop a safe plan beforemowing.You will need to maintain a ground speed between 2-6mph and 540 rpm PTO speed to produce a clean cut.Make a tractor gear and range selection that will enableyou to maintain these speed combinations. Generally thequality of cut is better at lower ground speeds. Denseground cover will create the need to slow down evenmore. In certain conditions tractor tires will roll grassdown resulting in an uneven cut when the grass fails torebound. Should this happen you may try reversing thedirection of cut and/or double cut to achieve the desiredfinish.Avoid very low cutting heights especially on extremelyuneven terrain. Always cut downward on slopes andavoid crossing the face of steep slopes. Avoid sharpdrops and cross diagonally through dips to preventhanging up the tractor and mower. Slow down in turnsand avoid sharp turns if at all possible. Remember to lookback often.Now you’re prepared and well briefed you may begincutting. Begin cutting by doing the following:• Reducing the tractor’s engine rpm.• Make sure the mower is on the ground in cuttingposition.• Engage the PTO.• Raise the engine rpm to the appropriate PTO speed.• Begin mowing.Make wide turns when possible. Operators of pull-typemodels must plan ahead and choose a cutting patternthat allows for wider turns. Try increasing or decreasingground speed to determine the effect on quality of cut.With a little practice you will be pleased with what youand your Land Pride All-Flex Mower can do.Whether you are done mowing, need to take a break, orjust need to make a few adjustments to the mower,remember to always do the following:• Reduce the tractor’s engine rpm.• Disengage the PTO.• Stop on level ground.• Set the park brake.• Turn off the engine and remove the key.• Stay on the tractor until the mower blades have cometo a complete stop.