Farm Star MDM70-72C 6 - Manual (Page 21)

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W A R N I N G !
When attaching PTO yoke to tractor PTO shaft, it is
important that spring-activated locking pin or balls
operate freely and are seated in groove on PTO shaft.
A loose shaft could slip off and result in personal
injury or damage to equipment.
9. Carefully raise and lower the mower and check to be
sure the PTO assembly does not jam. If it does, cut
equal amounts from each half of the PTO assembly.
Adjust the tailwheel and lift arms so the mower is level.
Then raise the tractor lift very slowly, making sure that
the front drive shaft shield does not hit the front of the
mower. If it does, damage will be done to the drive shaft
shield and, if interference is bad enough, it WILL also
damage the drive shaft itself.
NOTE: This type of damage is NOT covered under
warranty, as it is totally under the control and the
responsibility of the operator.
Use the lift control limiting stop on the tractor control
lever to limit the upward travel of the lever so the lift can-
not be raised high enough to cause contact between the
drive shaft shield and front shielding.
10. Check the swinging drawbar of the tractor and make
sure the PTO driveline assembly will not contact.
The swinging drawbar can be moved forward on
some tractors or it can be removed.
If the PTO driveline assembly contacts the swinging
drawbar, damage will occur to the driveshaft shield and
possibly the driveshaft itself. (NOT covered under
warranty.)
I N S T R U C T I O N S (continued)
Figure 6.
Figure 5.
6. If driveline must be cut to a shorter length, clamp
driveline in a well padded vise to prevent damage to
the shield. Cut off shield where marked. Using cut-off
section of shield as a guide, cut shaft the same
amount. (Figure 6.)
7. Repeat the procedure to the other driveline half.
Remove all burrs and cuttings.
8. Apply multi-purpose grease to inside of outer (female)
driveline section. Assemble driveline and install on
tractor and mower. Pull on each driveline section to be
sure yokes lock into place. Make certain driveline
shielding is in place and in good condition.
U Keep children away from danger all day, every day.
U Equip tractors with roll-over protection (ROPS) and keep all machinery
guards in place.
U Please work, drive, play, and live each day with care and concern for
your safety and that of your family and fellow citizens.
T R A N S P O RT I N G
Pay particular close attention to the Safety Messages
regarding mower transport. Avoid unnecessary injuries
and equipment damage by exercising cautious, consci-
entious travel procedures.
Attaching the mower to the tractor increases the overall
length of the working unit. Allow additional clearance for
the mower to swing when turning.
Raise the mower as high as possible for transporting,
while maintaining clearance between the driveline and
deck of the 3-point lift mower.
DO NOT OPERATE PTO DURING TRANSPORT.
R E M O V I N G M O W E R F R O M
T R A C T O R
Review safety messages on storage safety.
Properly park tractor, shut off engine, and disengage
tractor PTO.
Disengage tractor PTO.
Disconnect driveline from tractor PTO.
Collapse driveline as far as possible and store it to pre-
vent ground contact. Place blocks under mower side
skids. Lower mower onto blocks, disconnect mower from
tractor 3-point hitch, and carefully drive tractor away from
mower.
NOTE: Because of the above situation, and that the use
of PTO extensions extend the front PTO driveline joint
beyond the protection of the tractor PTO shield, the use
of PTO extensions and over-running clutches of this type
are not recommended.
If your tractor is not equipped with a “Live” PTO and
requires an over-running clutch, check with your dealer
about the availability of special PTO drivelines equipped
with an over-running clutch.
B L A D E S
The blades will last a long time cutting grass, but will
wear rapidly when contacting the ground. If they are
clipping into the ground, they will have to be sharpened
frequently.
The cutting action of the blade will be much cleaner,
create less shock loads and require less power if the
blades are kept quite sharp. That is with a flat or blunt
edge that is not over 1/32” thick. Putting a knife-sharp
edge (where both sides come to a sharp point) on the
blades will not help, as a sharp edge will round off very
quickly and doing so will only reduce the total life of the
blades.
O P T I O N S
O P E R ATION INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
could injure persons or property, standard equip-
ment safety chain shielding (which is designed to
reduce the possibility of thrown objects) must be
installed.
Chain guards are not mandatory for agricultural use
only (i.e. - out in fields where people, livestock, or
property that could be damaged are not present). If
this machine is not equipped with chain shielding,
operation must be stopped when anyone comes
within several hundred feet.
For five (5) foot mowers –
order No. 650375 front chain kit (5’)
For six (6) foot mowers –
order No. 650620 front chain kit (6’)
W A R N I N G !
When this machine is operated in populated areas,
along roads, or in other areas where thrown objects
C A U T I O N !
All tractors that are not equipped with a “live”
power takeoff (PTO) need to be equipped with an
over-running PTO clutch driveline.
Use of a standard PTO driveline that does not have
an over-running clutch on these tractors, will allow
the mower blade assembly to act as a flywheel. This
can cause damage to the tractor’s internal PTO drive
train and can make stopping the tractor’s forward
travel difficult.
C A U T I O N !
There are PTO over-running clutch attachments
available. However, they will increase the length of
the driveline and may cause the front knuckle joint to
operate beyond the cover of the tractor master PTO
shield. This is NOT recommended and a dangerous
operating condition will be present.
FRONT CHAIN SHIELDING
OVER-RUNNING CLUTCH