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TRACTOR REQUIREMENTS
AND PREPARATION
The models FM 560 and FM 572 Finishing Mowers are
designed for light duty cutting such as lawn maintenance
with a Category I, 3 pt. hitch and with a 540 rpm PTO.
These mowers are not designed for tractors over 40
horsepower. The PTO must be in good working
condition.
It is recommended that only tractors with wide front
axles be used with this cutter. Tricycle front wheel
arrangements are inherently unstable and tractor roll-
over accidents are more likely to occur.
Tractor wheel tread spacing should be increased when
working on inclines or rough ground to reduce the
possibility of tipping.
The tractor also needs lift arm stabilizer bars or sway
blocks to control side movement of the cutter.
Check the tractor’s 3 pt. hydraulic lift system. Refer to
your tractor operator’s manual or dealer for any adjust-
ments necessary to put the hydraulic system in good
working order. (I & T shop manuals will list most speci-
fications and adjustment instructions – available from
most farm equipment dealers.)
Be sure tires and rims are in good condition. Inflate
tires to the proper recommended air pressure.
Check the tractor master shield over the PTO stub
shaft. Make sure it is in good condition and fastened
securely to the tractor. Purchase a new shield if old
shield is damaged or missing. (You may have to use a
tractor salvage yard for replacement parts on older
tractors.)
Shorten or remove the tractor drawbar so it will not
interfere with the up and down movement of the mower.
Power unit must be equipped with ROPS or ROPS cab
and seat belt. Keep seat belt securely fastened. Falling
off power unit can result in death from being run over or
crushed. Keep foldable ROPS systems in “locked up”
position at all times. Contact your local dealer for a
ROPS for your tractor.
CAUTION!
Be sure your tractor is in good condition. Read all
the safety precautions and make sure all tractor
operators are familiar with the safety rules of
operation.
WARNING!
When using the unit, a minimum 20% of tractor and
equipment weight must be on tractor front wheels.
Without this weight, tractor could tip up, causing
possible loss of control and possible personal injury
or death. The weight may be attained with a front end
loader, front wheel weights, ballast in tires or front
tractor weights. When attaining a minimum 20% of
tractor and equipment weight on the front wheels,
you must not exceed the ROPS weight certification.
Weigh the tractor and equipment. DO NOT GUESS
OR ESTIMATE!
WARNING!
A heavy load can cause instability in driving a
tractor. Make sure the front of the tractor is properly
counterbalanced with weights. Always drive slowly
– especially around turns. An unstable tractor could
steer badly and possibly tip over, causing injury or
death.
DANGER!
For non-agricultural applications, OSHA, ASAE SAE
and ANSI standards require the use of chain guards,
deflectors or solid skirts at all times. The mower
manufacturer strongly recommends the use of chain
guards, rubber belting or solid skirts for agricultural
applications as well, to reduce the risk of property
damage, serious bodily injury or even death from
objects thrown or from contact with the cutting
blades.
INSTRUCTIONS
The operator is responsible for the safe operation of this
mower.The operator must be properly trained. Operators
should be familiar with the mower and tractor and all
safety practices before starting operation. Read the
safety rules and safety signs on pages 3-17.
Recommended mowing speed for most conditions is
from two to five mph.
Front, rear, left and right are determined by the normal
direction of travel, the same as when driving an
automobile.
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
CUTTING SPEED
Proper ground speed for cutting will depend upon the
height, type, and density of the grass to be cut.
Normally, ground speed will range from 1.5 to 3 MPH.
Tall dense grass should be cut at low speeds, while thin
medium height grass can be cut at faster ground speeds.
CUTTING TIPS
Always operate the PTO at the recommended RPM
when cutting. This is necessary for correct blade speed,
which creates a clean and even grass cut.
Under certain conditions the tractor tires may roll some
grass blades down and prevent them from being cut at
the same height as the surrounding area. If this occurs,
reduce the tractor ground speed, but maintain 540 RPM
PTO speed. The lower ground speed will allow grasses
to be at least partially rebound and cut. Taking a partial
cut and /or reversing the direction of travel may also pro-
duce a cleaner cut.
When people are passing by the area you are cutting,
stop the cutting until the area has been cleared.
Although the mower is shielded to prevent objects from
being thrown by the blades, no shielding device is 100%
effective. The mower operator has greater knowledge of
DETACHING AND STORING
Lower the mower to the ground. Park the tractor with
transmission in the correct gear (Automatic transmis-
sions should be set on Park; Standard transmissions
should be set on Neutral). Set the parking brake, turn off
the engine and remove the keys from the ignition. Wait
until the PTO stops rotating completely before dismount-
ing the tractor.
Disconnect the driveline from the tractor PTO and store
it to prevent contact from the ground and away from
excessive moisture.
Always reinstall or lower into position the tractor PTO
master shield. This shield should always remain in place
except when connecting or disconnecting the driveline.
BEFORE OPERATING OR
TRANSPORTING THE MOWER
Always display the SMV (slow moving vehicle) symbol
on the rear of the tractor that transports the mower. The
SMV symbol should be clearly visible to vehicles overtak-
ing the tractor transporting the
mower. Prominent display of this
symbol will help the operator avoid
accidents which could cause injury or
possibly death. See figure 4.
the hazards created by the machine than people on the
street. Therefore, he must take every precaution possible
when other people are around.
Extremely tall grass should be cut in two stages. First,
raise the mower above the desired cutting height and cut
the grass in one direction. Second, adjust the mower to
the desired cutting height and cut in a perpendicular (90
degree) direction from the first cut.
Remember, sharp blades produce cleaner cuts and
require less power.
Before cutting analyze the area to determine the best
cutting procedure. One must consider the grass height,
its type and the terrain relief.
Grass is best cut when it is dry. Mowing wet grass can
cause plugging, which results in grass clumps behind the
mower.
WARNING!
Avoid personal injury! Pick up all rocks and other
debris before cutting. Enter new cutting areas care-
fully. Cut material higher the first time to allow the
mower to clear unseen or hidden objects. Never
assume that a cutting area is clear. Always check
carefully before entering it.
STARTING AND STOPPING MOWER
The safe operation of this machine is the responsibility of
the owner/operator. The operator should be familiar with
the mower, tractor and all safety practices before starting
operation. Read the safety rules on pages 3 thru 13.
The power required for operating the mower is supplied
via the tractor PTO. Refer to your tractor’s manual for
instructions on engaging and disengaging the PTO.
1. Always engage the PTO at low engine RPM.
2. Operate the mower at 540 RPM PTO speed. Do not
exceed 540 RPM PTO speed.
3. In case of emergency, you must learn how stop the
tractor and mower quickly.
Important: Stop mower and tractor immediately upon
striking an obstruction. Inspect the mower and repair any
damage before resuming operation. Do not disengage
PTO when the engine is at full PTO RPM. Always bring the
tractor engine to idle speed before disengaging the PTO.
To start operation, reduce engine speed and engage the
tractor PTO. Before starting to cut, gradually increase the
engine speed to develop full PTO speed.
Enter the area to be cut with the mower operating at
PTO speed and, if it becomes necessary to temporarily
regulate engine speed during operation, increase or
decrease the speed gradually.
To transport the mower, disengage the PTO and raise
to full transport height.
Always turn off tractor engine, set parking brake, lower
mower to ground and allow blades to come to a complete
stop before dismounting tractor.
Figure 4