Operating


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Blades are sharp and rotate quickly: • Keep hands and feet away from cutting reels while machine is running. • Check and clear area of bystanders and children before engaging cutting reels.

NOTE: If the cutting units are lowered to the ground before the mow-transport lever is moved to the mow position, the cutting reels will not rotate. Raise the cutting units before continuing with procedure.

NOTE: In noise-restricted areas, the engine can be slowed down to lower the noise and still maintain the proper reel speed. Ground speed will be reduced. Adjust ground speed as necessary.

Do not reduce throttle more than 50% (2000-2300 rpm). If low voltage indication occurs, increase throttle position.

NOTE: The center cutting unit will raise and lower to the ground after the front cutting units.

The front cutting units will lower to the ground before the center cutting unit.

Moving the mow-transport lever to the mow position activates a switch so the cutting units automatically engage when lowered.

5. Push raise-lower lever forward to lower cutting units and start cutting reel rotation.

6. Pull back raise-lower lever to raise cutting units to transport lift height and automatically stop reel rotation.

Emergency Stopping - Cutting Reels

• Move the Mow/Transport lever to the TRANSPORT position and cutting reel rotation will stop.

• If the Mow/Transport lever was moved to TRANSPORT, move the Mow/Transport lever to the Mow position. Then raise and lower the cutting units.

Adjusting Cutting Unit Shield (QA5)

NOTE: Keeping the shield close to the cutting blades improves the performance of the grass catcher in most conditions.

• Maintain an approximate 1.5 mm (0.06 in.) clearance (C) between the bottom of the shield and the top of the cutting blades.

Removing and Emptying Grasscatchers

Removing

1. Push in on link handle release bracket (A), and raise and remove link handle from catcher bracket support (B).

Installing

1. Pivot grasscatcher upward, push in on link handle release bracket, and hook link handle onto the catcher bracket support.

Operating Greens and Turf Conditioner


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The blades may be dulled if the Greens and Turf Conditioner (GTC or FTC) is used immediately after applying top dressing. Wait for at least three days following top dressing before using GTC or FTC.

The conditioner process involves shallow vertical cutting. The blades are adjusted to cut runners and lift horizontal leaf material. It is important that frequent and thorough observations be performed or stress to the plants may occur. Make adjustments as necessary.

NOTE: The initial setting should be the same as Height Of Cut to prevent damage to the turf.

1. Set the GTC blades the same height as the Height of Cut when conditioning greens for the first time.

2. While cutting with GTC, closely examine each green for any inconsistencies or appearance of over-aggressiveness. Decrease GTC penetration if necessary.

3. Check each green 1–2 hours after cutting. Look for any tendency toward a yellow or brown tint. This indicates over-stress.

4. If visible stress is observed, decrease GTC penetration to 0.39 mm (0.016 in.) for next cutting.

5. Continue cutting/conditioning at this setting for three to five days. Check frequently for stress.

6. If no stress is observed, increase GTC penetration by 0.25 mm (0.010 in.). Check for obvious over-aggressiveness. Observe for two to three days, watching for signs of stress.

7. Mow with GTC at this setting until stress becomes visible. Back off the GTC adjusted penetration by 0.25 mm (0.010 in.).

NOTE: Stress is a cumulative result of many factors such as irrigation, temperature, humidity, chemical application, disease and thatch.

Conditioning aggressiveness will require adjustment and monitoring as these factors vary.

Operating and Adjusting (Optional) Vertical Cutters


c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Blades are sharp and rotate quickly: • Keeps hands and feet away from cutting reels while machine is running. • Always wear gloves while working on cutting reels. • Watch for rotation of cutting reels. Rotating one cutting reel can cause another blade or cutting reel to rotate.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The vertical cutters produce excessive dust and fine grass particles. Check the air cleaning system frequently to prevent engine overheating.

NOTE: Vertical cutting units are intended for thatch removal and should not be set for ground engagement. The cutters should not be set to penetrate the soil.

For excess thatch conditions, several trips across the green may be necessary. DO NOT attempt to remove large amounts of thatch in a single cutting.

Preparing Machine for Vertical Cutting


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Using the backlap valve to rotate the vertical cutting units in a reverse direction will cause serious damage to the hydraulic motors.

NOTE: Less stress is put on hydraulic motors (2500B models) and the electric drive system (2500E Hybrid models) if reels are run in reverse direction.

2500B Models

1. Disconnect bulkhead to left cutting unit motor hose (A) from bulkhead location (B).

2. Disconnect right cutting unit motor to bulkhead hose (C) from bulkhead location (D).

2500E Hybrid Models

Operating Vertical Cutters


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Incorrect operation may cause excessive heating of the hydraulic oil. Do not operate cutting units in a “stalled” mode: • Reduce mow speed. • Reduce vertical cutter penetration into the turf. • Always operate machine at full throttle when vertical cutting.

1. Adjust mow speed limit to no more than 4.8 km/h (3 mph). The mow speed should be set properly to ensure that the cutting reels do not stall out completely.

2. Set the initial adjustment of blade depth flush with the bottom of the rollers.

3. Increase the depth as needed to achieve desired results. Do not exceed a blade depth of 3 mm (0.12 in.).

4. Measure the usable blade length of the cutting blades before making a vertical cutter adjustment. If usable blade length is less than the desired cutting depth, replace blades before continuing.

Cleaning Cutting Units


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Grease after washing to purge fittings and bearings of water. Do not use high-pressure water to clean grass from reels.