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Section 4: Operating Instructions
11/25/15
RCR1542 and RCR1548 Rotary Cutters 312-556M
Table of Contents
Unhooking the Rotary Cutter
Unhook Rotary Cutter from the tractor as follows:
1. See “Long Term Storage” on page 23 if cutter is to
be stored for a long time.
2. Park on a level solid surface and lower deck to
ground level or onto support blocks.
3. Engage tractor park brake, shut tractor engine off,
and remove switch key. Stay on tractor until blades
have come to a complete stop.
4. Disconnect driveline from tractor.
5. Unhook 3-Point hitch from tractor and drive tractor
forward several feet.
6. Reinstall hitch pins, linchpins, and hair pin cotters in
cutter hitch for safe keeping.
7. Collapse driveline by pushing tractor end of driveline
towards cutter gearbox.
8. Rotate driveline storage hook down and place
driveline in storage hook.
General Operating Instructions
It is important that you familiarized 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, the PTO is disengaged, and the cutter is
resting on the ground. Start the tractor and set the engine
throttle speed at a low idle. Raise the cutter with the
tractor’s rear hydraulic lift control lever to transport
position making sure that the PTO shaft 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 travelling
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
happens 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. Remember to look back
often.
Now that you’re prepared and well briefed you may begin
cutting. Begin mowing by doing the following:
• Reducing tractor’s engine rpm.
• Make sure cutter is on the ground in cutting position
and then engage PTO.
• Raise engine rpm to the appropriate 540 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 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 always do the following:
• Reduce tractor’s engine rpm and disengage PTO.
• Stop on level ground, set park brake, turn off engine,
and remove switch key.
• Stay on the tractor until the cutter blades have come to
a complete dead stop.