Preparing The Machine For Mowing; Training Period; Before Mowing; Mowing Procedures - Toro 04356 Operator's Manual

4. Release the float. The alarm should stop sounding.
5. Install the strainer screen and hydraulic tank cap. Move
the ignition switch to the Off position.
Preparing the Machine for
Mowing
To assist in aligning the machine for successive cutting
passes, it is suggested the following be done to the No. 2
and No. 3 cutting unit baskets:
1. Measure in approximately 5 in. (12.7 cm) from the
outer edge of each basket.
2. Either place a strip of white tape or paint a line onto
each basket paralleling the outer edge of each basket
(Fig. 27).
4
2
1
Figure 27
1. Alignment strip
2. Approximately 5 in.
(12.7 cm)
3. Cut grass on right

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.
3
4. Keep focal spot 6–10 ft.
(1.8–3 m) ahead of the
machine.
23
Important
If you shift to the No. 2 position while
cutting greens, no increase in speed will result. However, a
sudden increase in speed will develop when you actuate the
lift pedal. For safety purposes, it is recommended that you
use only the No. 1 position for cutting greens and the No. 2
position for transport.

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.
Important
Shift to the No. 1 position when
approaching a green because the machine speed will
automatically be reduced when the cutting units are
engaged. Higher speed will resume when the cutting units
are disengaged.
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.
Note: The No. 1 (rear) cutting unit reel will not start until
all the cutting units are on the ground and the No. 2 and
No. 3 cutting units are cutting.
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 (Fig. 27 and 28). 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 (Fig. 27
and 28).