Mowing Procedures - Toro Greensmaster
3150 Operator's Manual

Mowing Procedures

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.
Important
Familiarize yourself with the fact that the
center 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. 29 and 30). 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. 29
and 30).
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Figure 30
1. Alignment strip
2. Approximately 5 in.
(12.7 cm)
3. Cut grass on right
4. As the front of the baskets cross the edge of the green,
move raise/lower mow control rearward. This will stop
the reels and lift the cutting units. Timing of this
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2
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4. Keep focal spot 6–10 ft.
(1.8–3 m) ahead of the
machine.
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.
Note: Due to the nature of the power steering system, the
steering wheel will not return to its original position after a
turn has been completed.
Important
The machine should never be stopped on a
green with the cutting unit reels operating as damage to the
turf may result. Stopping on a wet green with the machine
may leave marks or indentations from the wheels.
6. If the leak detector alarm sounds while cutting on a
green, immediately raise the cutting units, drive directly
off of the green and stop the machine in an area away
from the green. Determine the cause of the alarm and
correct the problem.
Important Prolonged idling of the machine after heavy
use may cause a false alarm in the leak detector system, due
to oil contracting as it cools. If this occurs, turn the engine
off for approximately one minute, to allow the main
hydraulic tank and the auxiliary tank levels to stabilize.
7. Finish cutting the green by mowing the outer periphery.
Be sure to change the direction of cutting from the
previous mowing. Always keep weather and turf
conditions in mind and be sure to change the direction
of mowing from the previous cutting. Replace the flag.
Note: At the end of the periphery cut, momentarily pull
back on the raise/lower mow lever to shut the reels off
without raising them. Continue moving forward until the
reel stops rotating, then, drive off the green and raise the
reels (This will help prevent dribbling grass onto the green
while raising the reels).
8. Empty the grass baskets of all clippings before
transporting to the next green. Heavy wet clippings
place an undue strain on the baskets and will add
unnecessary weight to the machine, thereby increasing
the load on the engine, hydraulic system, brakes, etc.
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