Toro Groundsmaster 3500-D Operator's Manual page 31

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, it is best to 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.
Mowing When the Grass Is Dry
Mow either in the late morning to avoid the dew, which
causes grass clumping, or late afternoon to avoid
the damage that direct sunlight can cause on the
sensitive, freshly mowed grass.
Selecting the Proper Height-of-Cut
Setting to Suit Conditions
Remove approximately 25 mm (1 inch), or no
more than 1/3 of the grass blade when cutting. In
exceptionally lush and dense grass, you may need to
raise your height-of-cut setting.
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. Ensure that the blade is in
good condition and that there is a full sail.
Checking the Condition of the
Mower Deck
Ensure that the cutting chambers are in good
condition. Straighten any bends in the chamber
components to ensure correct blade tip/chamber
clearance.
Maintaining the Machine After
Mowing
After mowing, thoroughly wash the machine with a
garden hose with no nozzle to avoid contamination
and damage to the seals and bearings caused
by excessive water pressure. Ensure that the
radiator and oil cooler are kept free of dirt or grass
clippings. After cleaning, inspect the machine for
possible hydraulic-fluid leaks, damage, or wear to the
hydraulic and mechanical components, and check the
cutting-unit blades for sharpness.
Important:
After washing the machine, move the
Sidewinder mechanism from left to right several
times to remove the water between the bearing
blocks and cross tube.
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