Operating Tips - Toro Groundsmaster 3500-D Operator's Manual

Operating Tips

Operating the Machine
•
Start the engine and run it at
warms up. Push the throttle lever all the way
forward, lift the cutting units, 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 cutting units 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 cutting
units up and down. Be careful when driving
between narrow objects so that you do not damage
the machine or cutting units.
•
On the Sidewinder unit, get accustomed to the
reach of the cutting units so that you do not hang
them up or damage them.
•
Do not shift the cutting units from side to side
unless they are down and the machine is moving,
or the cutting units are in the transport position.
Shifting the cutting units when they are down and
the machine is not moving may damage the turf.
•
Always drive slowly in rough areas.
•
The Sidewinder unit 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.
•
If an obstacle is in the way, shift the cutting units
to mow around it.
•
When transporting the machine from 1 work area
to another, raise the cutting units to the fully
upward position, move the mow/transport slide to
the left to transport, and place the throttle in the
F position.
AST
Changing Mowing Patterns
Change mowing patterns often to minimize a poor
after-cut appearance from repeatedly mowing in the
same direction.
until it
HALF IDLE
30
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
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.
Using Proper Mowing Techniques
•
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.
•
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 cutting units reach the edge of
the mowing area, lift the cutting units, and perform
a tear-drop-shaped turn to quickly line up for your
next pass.
•
To mow around bunkers, ponds, or other contours
easily, use the Sidewinder unit and move the
control lever to the left or right, depending on your
mowing application. You can also shift the cutting
units to vary the tire tracking.
•
The cutting units tend to throw grass to the left
side of the machine. If you are trimming around
bunkers, mow in a clockwise direction to prevent
throwing clippings into the bunker.
•
Bolt-in mulching baffles are available for the
cutting units. 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.