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Section 4: Operating Instructions
12/15/15
RCD1884 Rotary Cutters 326-355M
Table of Contents
7. Frequently inspect cutter for loose bolts and nuts.
Tighten all loose bolts and nuts as indicated in the
“Torque Values Chart for Common Bolt Sizes” on
page 34.
8. For additional information, see “General Operating
Instructions” on page 23.
Unhook Rotary Cutter
1. Unhook Rotary Cutter from the tractor as follows:
2. See “Long Term Storage” on page 27 if cutter is to
be stored for a long time.
3. Park on a level solid surface and lower deck to
ground level or onto support blocks.
4. Engage tractor park brake, shut tractor engine off,
and remove switch key. Stay on tractor until blades
have come to a complete stop.
5. Disconnect driveline from tractor.
6. Unhook 3-Point hitch from tractor and drive tractor
forward several feet.
7. Reinstall hitch pins, linch pins, and hair pin cotters in
cutter hitch for safe keeping.
8. Collapse driveline by pushing tractor end of driveline
towards cutter gearbox.
9. Support driveline off the ground with a support block
to keep it up out of the dirt.
General Operating Instructions
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the
Operator’s Manual, completed Operators Checklist,
properly attached cutter to your tractor, made leveling
adjustments, and preset your cutting height before
beginning a running operational safety check on your
Land Pride Rotary Cutter.
The running operational safety check may now be done.
It is important that at any time during this safety check
you detect a malfunction in either the cutter or tractor that
you immediately shut the tractor off, remove its key, and
make necessary repairs and/or adjustments before
continuing on.
Make sure before starting the tractor that the park brake
is engaged, PTO is disengaged, and cutter is resting on
the ground. Start tractor and set engine throttle speed at
a low idle. Raise cutter with tractor’s rear hydraulic lift
control lever to transport position making sure that the
driveline does not bind and does not contact the cutter
frame. Lower the cutter to the ground and at a low engine
speed engage the PTO. If everything is running smoothly
at a low idle, slowly raise the cutter to transport height
checking for bind or chatter in the driveline. Lower the
cutter to the ground and increase the tractor’s engine rpm
until it reaches the cutter full PTO operating speed of 540
rpm. If everything is still running smoothly, once more
raise the cutter to transport height to check for driveline
bind or chatter. Lower the cutter to the ground, return the
engine to a low idle, and disengage the PTO. Position the
adjustable stops on the tractor’s hydraulic lift lever so the
cutter can be consistently returned to the same cutting
and transport height.
You should now be ready to transport to your cutting site
at a safe ground speed. On roadways 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 ensure 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.
Extremely tall grass should be cut twice to detect
potential hazards. In the event you do strike an object
stop the cutter and tractor immediately to inspect and
make necessary repairs to the cutter before resuming
operation. It really pays to inspect a new area and to
develop a safe plan before cutting.
You will need to maintain 540 rpm PTO speed and 2 to 5
mph ground 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 tractor and
cutter. Slow down in turns. Remember to look back often.
Now that you’re prepared and well briefed you may begin
cutting. Reducing tractor engine speed, lower cutter to
cutting position, engage PTO, raise engine RPM to the
appropriate PTO speed and begin cutting.
Make wide turns when possible. Three-point hitch and
optional Quick Hitch models can be lifted into transport
position to make tight turns and to reverse direction. 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 Rotary Cutter
can do.
Whether you are done mowing, need to take a break, or
just need to make a few adjustments to the cutter,
remember to reduce tractor RPM, disengage PTO, stop
on level ground, set tractor park brake, turn off engine,
and remove switch key. Stay on the tractor until the cutter
blades have come to a complete dead stop.