Toro 30807 Operator's Manual page 36

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On the Sidewinder unit, get a feel for the reach of the
cutting units so you do not hang them up or damage
them in any way.
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Do not shift the units from side to side, unless the cutting
units are down and the machine is moving, or the cutting
units are up in the transport position. Shifting the cutting
units when they are down and the machine is not moving
may cause turf damage.
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Always drive slowly in rough areas.
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If a person appears in or near the operating area, stop
the machine, and do not start it again until the area is
cleared. The machine is designed for one person. Never
let anyone else ride on the machine with you. This is
extremely dangerous and could result in serious injury.
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Accidents can happen to anyone. The most common
causes are excessive speed, sudden turns, terrain (not
knowing which slopes and hills can be mowed safely), not
stopping the engine before leaving the operator's seat,
and drugs which impair your alertness. Cold capsules or
prescription drugs may cause drowsiness, as can alcohol
and other drugs. Stay alert and stay safe. Failure to do so
could result in serious injury.
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The Sidewinder offers up to a maximum of 33 cm (13
inches) of overhang, allowing you to trim closer to the
edge of sand traps and other obstacles, while at the same
time keeping the tractor tires as far away from the edge
of traps or water hazards as possible.
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If an obstacle is in the way, shift the cutting units to easily
mow around it.
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When transporting the machine from one work area to
another, raise the cutting units to the fully up position,
move the mow/transport slide to the left to transport,
and place the throttle in the Fast position.
Mowing Techniques
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To begin cutting, engage the cutting units, then approach
the mowing area slowly. Once the front cutting units are
over the mowing area, lower the cutting units.
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To achieve the professional straight-line cut and striping
that is desirable for some applications, find a tree or other
object in the distance and drive straight toward it.
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As soon as the front cutting units reach the edge of the
mowing area, lift the cutting units and perform a tear drop
shaped turn to quickly line you up for your next pass.
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To mow around bunkers, ponds, or other contours
easily, use the Sidewinder and move the control lever left
or right, depending on your mowing application. The
cutting units can also be shifted to vary tire tracking.
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The cutting units tend to throw grass to the left side
of the machine. If trimming around bunkers, it is best
to mow in a clockwise direction to prevent throwing
clippings into the bunker.
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The cutting units can be equipped with bolt-in mulching
baffles. The mulching baffles perform well when turf is
maintained on a regular schedule to avoid removing more
than 25 mm (1 inch) of growth per cutting. When too
much growth is cut with the mulching baffles installed,
after-cut appearance may deteriorate and the observed
power to cut the turf increases. The mulching baffles also
perform well for shredding leaves in the fall of the year.
Mow When Grass is Dry
Mow either in the late morning to avoid the dew, which causes
grass clumping, or in late afternoon to avoid the damage
that can be caused by direct sunlight on the sensitive, freshly
mowed grass.
Select the Proper Height-of-Cut Setting
to Suit Conditions
Remove approximately one inch or no more than 1/3 of
the grass blade when cutting. In exceptionally lush and
dense grass you may have to raise your height–of–cut setting
another notch.
Always Start Mowing with Sharp Blades
A sharp blade cuts cleanly and without tearing or shredding
the grass blades like a dull blade. Tearing and shredding
causes the grass to turn brown at the edges which impairs
growth and increases susceptibility to diseases. Make sure
blade is in good condition and a full sail is present.
Check Condition of cutting unit
Make sure cutting chambers are in good condition. Straighten
any bends in chamber components to assure correct blade
tip/chamber clearance.
After Mowing
At the completion of mowing operation, thoroughly wash the
machine with a garden hose without a nozzle so that excessive
water pressure will not cause contamination and damage to
the seals and bearings. Make sure that the radiator and oil
cooler are kept free of dirt or grass clippings. After cleaning,
it is recommended that the machine be inspected for possible
hydraulic fluid leaks, damage or wear to the hydraulic and
mechanical components, and the cutting unit blades checked
for sharpness.
Important: After washing the machine, move the
Sidewinder mechanism from left to right several times to
remove water between the bearing blocks and cross tube.
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