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Section 2: Operating Instructions
11/14/08
AFM4522 All Flex Grooming Mower 315-360M
Land Pride
Table of Contents
General Operating Instructions
By now you should have familiarized yourself with the
Operator’s Manual, completed the Operator’s Checklist,
set-up the unit properly and attached your Land Pride
All-Flex mower to your tractor.
With the tractor’s park brake engaged and the PTO
disengaged, start the tractor. Using the tractor’s
hydraulic control levers, retract the hydraulic deck-lift
cylinders all the way in and pull the ropes leading to your
transport locks to release them. With the same control
levers, slowly lower your mowing decks from transport
position to working position on the ground. Having
lowered the decks, shut the tractor off, check to make
sure the park brake is set and remove the switch key.
Dismount from the tractor and preset your mower to the
desired cutting height.
It’s now time to do a running operational safety check. It
is extremely important that if at any time during this
safety check you detect a malfunction in either the
mower or tractor that you immediately shut the tractor off,
remove the key and set the park brake. Make necessary
repairs and/or adjustments before continuing on.
Make sure before starting the tractor that the mower is
properly attached to the draw bar with both wings down
resting on the ground. Also make sure the driveline is
securely coupled to the tractor’s PTO shaft, the hydraulic
hoses are properly attached to the tractor’s hydraulics,
the tractor’s park brake is engaged and the tractor’s PTO
drive is disengaged. Starting the tractor and set the
engine throttle speed at a low idle. Engage the tractor’s
PTO drive. If everything is running smoothly, slowly
increase the engine rpm until the tractor’s engine
reaches full PTO operating speed of 540 rpm. If
everything is still running as it should, then return the
engine to low idle and disengage power to the PTO.
Under no circumstances should you ever raise the
cutting decks into transport position with the PTO drive
engaged. Personal injury and machine damage could
result.
You should now be ready to move to your cutting site to
begin mowing. On roadway transport in such a manner
that faster moving vehicles can easily see you and pass
you safely. Reduce your speed when traveling over
rough and hilly terrain. Avoid quick or sharp steering
corrections. Take extra care to insure that the mower
doesn’t come into contact with obstacles such as trees,
buildings or fences. Use accessory lights and
appropriate reflective devices to provide adequate
warning to pedestrians and other vehicle operators when
traveling on public roads and in the dark of night. Comply
with all local, state and federal laws.
It is important that you inspect the area where you will be
cutting and clear it of safety hazards and foreign objects
either before or after you arrive at the cutting site. Never
assume the area is clear. Cut only in areas you are
familiar with and are free of debris and unseen objects. In
the event you do strike an object, stop the mower and
tractor immediately to inspect and make any necessary
repairs before resuming operation. It really pays to
inspect a new area and to develop a safe plan before
mowing.
You will need to maintain a ground speed between 2-6
mph and 540 rpm PTO speed to produce a clean cut.
Make a tractor gear and range selection that will enable
you to maintain these speed combinations. Generally the
quality of cut is better at lower ground speeds. Dense
ground cover will create the need to slow down even
more. In certain conditions tractor tires will roll grass
down resulting in an uneven cut when the grass fails to
rebound. Should this happen you may try reversing the
direction of cut and/or double cut to achieve the desired
finish.
Avoid very low cutting heights especially on extremely
uneven terrain. Always cut downward on slopes and
avoid crossing the face of steep slopes. Avoid sharp
drops and cross diagonally through dips to prevent
hanging up the tractor and cutter. Slow down in turns and
avoid sharp turns if at all possible. Remember to look
back often.
Now you’re prepared and well briefed you may begin
cutting. Begin cutting by doing the following:
• Reducing the tractor’s engine rpm.
• Make sure the mower is on the ground in cutting
position.
• Engage the PTO.
• Raise the engine rpm to the appropriate PTO speed.
• Begin mowing.
Make wide turns when possible. Operators of pull-type
models must plan ahead and choose a cutting pattern
that allows for wider turns. Try increasing or decreasing
ground speed to determine the effect on quality of cut.
With a little practice you will be pleased with what you
and your Land Pride All-Flex Mower can do.
Whether you are done mowing, need to take a break, or
just 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 come
to a complete stop.