Alamo Swingtrim - Manual (Page 102)

OPERATION
SWINGTRIM 03/09 Operation Section 4-26
© 2009 Alamo Group Inc.
OPERA
T
ION
Many varied objects, such as wire, cable, rope, or chains, can become entangled in the
operating parts of the mower head. These items could then swing outside the housing at
greater velocities than the blades. Such a situation is extremely hazardous and could result
in serious injury or even death. Inspect the cutting area for such objects before mowing.
Remove any like object from the site. Never allow the cutting blades to contact such items.
(SGM-06)
10.1 Foreign Debris Hazards/Overhead Obstructions
An area to be cut must first be inspected for objects that could be thrown or that could damage the machine.
Walk through the area looking for fences, boulder, rocks, culverts, stumps or metal objects. Mark the inspected
area with flags. If the area is dense and cannot be walked thoroughly it may be necessary to inspect a smaller
area as well as possible, then trim away the part that has been inspected and can safely be removed. Walk
each new area again and repeat the inspection before cutting more away. Repeat as often as necessary until
the area is cleared. It can be damaging and/or dangerous to work the cutter in an area that had not been
visually inspected.
Place DANGER signs at least 300 feet beyond the perimeter of the area to be worked, not just 300 feet from
where the machine started operating! It is convenient in many cases to work in 300 foot sections. Move the
first Danger sign to the beginning of the freshly cleared area, place it, then take the first cutting area flag up to
the end of the freshly cleared area 300 feet away. Walk and inspect the next 300 feet and place the second
cutting area flag. Pick up the second DANGER sign, and take it a further 300 feet along the road or trail. Note
that in many cases the DANGER area will extend in front of and behind the machine as well as along each
side. Post signs accordingly. OPS-B- 0008
Do not put hands or feet under mower decks. Blade Contact can result
in serious injury or even death. Stay away until all motion has stopped
and the decks are securely blocked up.
(SGM-09)
10.2 Operating Speed and Ground Speed
Ground speed for mowing will depend upon the height, type, and density of vegetation to be cut. Do Not
exceed 2 MPH while operating. Operate the mower at its full rated PTO speed to maintain blade speed for a
clean cut. Refer to the tractor operator’s manual or the tractor instrument panel for the engine speed and gear
to provide the required operating and desired ground speed. Make sure that the mower is operating at its full
rated speed before entering the vegetation to be cut. Always start and stop cutting blades with engine near
idle.
Ground speed is achieved by transmission gear selection and not by the engine operating speed. The
operator may be required to experiment with several gear range combinations to determine the best gear and
range which provides the most ideal performance from the implement and most efficient tractor operation. As
the severity of cutting conditions increase, the ground speed should be decreased by selecting a lower gear to
maintain the proper operating PTO speed. OPS-B- 0009