Training Period; Before Mowing; Mowing Procedures - Toro 04383 Operator's Manual

1. Alignment strip
2. Approximately 5 inches
(12.7 cm)

Training Period

Before mowing greens with the machine, it is recommended
that you find a clear area and practice starting and stopping,
raising and lowering the cutting units, turning, etc. This
training period will be beneficial to the operator in gaining
confidence in the performance of the machine.

Before Mowing

Inspect the green for debris, remove the flag from the cup,
and determine the best direction to mow. Base the direction
to mow on the previous mowing direction. Always mow in an
alternate pattern from the previous mowing so that the grass
blades will be less apt to lay down and therefore be difficult
to trap between the reel blades and bedknife.

Mowing Procedures

1. Approach the green with the shift selector in the No.
1 position. Start on one edge of the green so that the
ribbon procedure of cutting may be used. This holds
compaction to a minimum and leaves a neat, attractive
pattern on the greens.
2. Actuate the mow pedal as the front edge of the
grass baskets cross the outer edge of the green. This
procedure drops the cutting units to the turf and starts
the reels.
Important: Familiarize yourself with the fact that
the No. 1 cutting unit reel is delayed and therefore,
you should practice to try to gain the required
Figure 38
3. Cut grass on right
4. Keep focal spot 6-10 ft
(1.8-3 m) ahead of the
machine.
timing necessary to minimize the cleanup mowing
operation.
3. Overlap a minimal amount with the previous cut
on return passes. To assist in maintaining a straight
line across the green and keep the machine an equal
distance from the edge of the previous cut, establish an
imaginary sight line approximately 6 to 10 ft (1.8 to
3 m) ahead of the machine to the edge of the uncut
portion of the green (Figure 39). Some find it useful to
include the outer edge of the steering wheel as part of
the sight line; i.e. keep the steering wheel edge aligned
with a point that is always kept the same distance away
from the front of the machine (Figure 39).
1. Alignment marker
2. Cut grass on left
4. As the front of the baskets cross the edge of the
green, depress the lift pedal. This will stop the reels
and lift the cutting units. Timing of this procedure is
important, so the mowers do not cut into the fringe
area. However, as much of the green as possible should
be cut to minimize the amount of grass left to mow
around the outer periphery
5. Cut down on operating time and ease lineup for the
next pass by momentarily turning the machine in the
opposite direction, then turning in the direction of
the uncut portion; i.e., if intending to turn right, first
swing slightly left, then right. This will assist in getting
the machine more quickly aligned for the next pass.
Follow the same procedure for turning in the opposite
direction. It is a good practice to try to make as short
of a turn as possible. However, turn in a wider arc
during warmer weather to minimize the possibility of
bruising the turf.
32
Figure 39
3. Keep focal spot 6-10 ft
(1.8-3 m) ahead of the
machine.