Operating Tips - Toro Groundsmaster 4000 Operator's Manual

Before transporting the machine, raise the mower
decks and secure the transport latches
Figure 59
1. Transport latch (side mower decks)

Operating Tips

Operating the Machine
•
Start the engine and run it at the
until it warms up. Push the throttle lever all the
way forward, lift the mower decks, disengage the
parking brake, press the forward traction pedal,
and carefully drive to an open area.
•
Practice moving forward and reverse, and starting
and stopping the machine. To stop the machine,
remove your foot from the traction pedal and let it
return to N or press down on the reverse
EUTRAL
pedal.
Note:
When going downhill in the machine, you
may need to use the reverse pedal to stop.
•
When possible, mow up and down hills rather than
across them. Have the mower decks lowered
when going down a hill to maintain steering control.
Do not attempt to turn the machine on a hill.
•
Practice driving around obstacles with the mower
decks up and down. Be careful when driving
between narrow objects so that you do not damage
the machine or mower decks.
•
Always drive slowly in rough areas.
•
If an obstacle is in the way, lift the mower decks
to mow around it.
•
When transporting the machine from 1 work area
to another, raise the mower decks to the fully
upward position, shut off the PTO, press the
mow/transport switch to the to the T
position, and place the throttle in the F
Changing Mowing Patterns
(Figure 59).
Change mowing patterns often to minimize a poor
after-cut appearance from repeatedly mowing in the
same direction.
Understanding Counterbalance
The counterbalance system maintains hydraulic
back pressure on the deck-lift cylinders. This
counterbalance pressure transfers mower deck weight
to the mower drive wheels to improve traction. The
counterbalance pressure has been set at the factory
to an optimal balance of after-cut appearance and
traction capability in most turf conditions. Decreasing
the counterbalance setting can produce a more
stable mower deck, but can decrease the traction
capability. Increasing the counterbalance setting can
g011550
increase the traction capability, but may result in
a poor after-cut appearance. Refer to the Service
Manual for your traction unit for instructions to adjust
the counterbalance pressure.
Resolving After-Cut Appearance
Reference the After-cut Appearance Troubleshooting
Guide available at www.Toro.com.
position
HALF IDLE
Using Proper Mowing Techniques
•
•
•
•
•
RANSPORT
position.
AST
48
To begin cutting, engage the mower decks, then
approach the mowing area slowly. Once the front
mower decks are over the mowing area, lower the
mower decks.
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.
As soon as the front mower decks reach the edge
of the mowing area, lift the mower decks, and
perform a tear-drop-shaped turn to quickly line up
for your next pass.
The mower decks tend to throw grass to the left
side of the machine. If you are trimming around
bunkers, it is best to mow in a clockwise direction
to prevent throwing clippings into the bunker.
Bolt-in mulching baffles are available for the
mower decks. The mulching baffles perform well
when you maintain turf on a regular schedule
to avoid removing more than 25 mm (1 inch) of
growth per cutting. When you cut too much growth
with the mulching baffles installed, the 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.