Training Period; Before Mowing; Mowing - Toro 04357 Operator's Manual

Figure 33
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

1. Approach the green with the functional control
lever in the Mow position and the throttle at full
speed. Start on one edge of the green so 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 raise/lower mow lever 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.
3. Cut grass on right
4. Keep focal spot 6-10 ft
(1.8-3 m) ahead of the
machine.
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 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 33 and
Figure 34). 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 33 and Figure 34).
4. As the front of the baskets cross the edge of the
green, move the raise/lower mow lever rearward.
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.
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