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Mower Notes

The field is broken into three zones to provide a reasonable unit of work with common mowing machine settings.  The zones are 1) the pit area, 2) the runway, and 3) the North area.  Each is unique with specific requirements and challenges. The East and West end of zones 1 & 3 are divided in line with the middle of the runway.

The care of our equipment is most important.  Depending on the height of the grass, the operator must be aware of the load on the equipment.  The load is controlled by forward speed and depth of cut.  The Gravely mower may be subject to breaking or burning the drive belt, so listen to the mower and be aware of its limitations.  If the grass gets too long, two cuttings may be required with the first cut on a high setting. 

Operate the Gravely mower at full throttle.

Be aware that some of the sprinkler heads do not always retract fully.  Be alert to the possibility that a sprinkler may be in your path.  The edge of the runway on both sides have sprinklers about 35 feet apart. There are four solenoid box covers around the perimeter of the runway that will survive much longer if they are not driven on.

Equipment Check

Prior to operation,
1. check engine oil level.
2. Fuel level.
3. Tire pressure.
Note: The Gravely mower should be at full throttle prior to engaging the blade, as per the manufacturers manual.

Note:
In order to improve the longevity of the geotextile, it is desirable/necessary to avoid driving heavy equipment on the geotextile. Please use either the Honda push mower or the Reel push mower (non-powered) to mow around the perimeter of the geotextile. Even lighter weight equipment such as the Honda mower should have minimal (only necessary) contact with the geotextile.

North Area (Calvin)

The North area is cut with the Gravely mowing deck set on 3.  The long fence line is easiest to cut with the discharge chute toward the runway (clockwise).  Please avoid hitting the fence posts with the deck.  After cutting clockwise, reverse direction to discharge the grass into the previous cut.  This will help reduce mower load by not moving the cut grass in the next pass. Be aware to avoid mowing into the sloped gate area on the North fence.  The slope around the gate will trap the machine.  We use a truck to pull the mower out of the gate area!  Get help if that happens. The Honda self-propelled push mower is a better option for mowing this area and will avoid much heartache!

Runway

  The forward speed is the only way to control the load of the machine. The finished runway Gravely deck height is level 1.5. It may be necessary to first cut the runway with the Gravely on a higher deck level. When using the Honda push mower around the perimeter of the geotextile runway, use level setting 1.5 (which is actually a 1.25″ cut). The operator will have to determine how best to preserve the equipment.  Be alert to the smell of burning drive belt rubber. Discharge cut grass toward the previous cut to reduce load on the machine.

Pit Area

Cut the Pit Area on Gravely deck level 3(with the exception of the Safety Zone barrier grass).  The Safety Zone barrier grass is cut with Gravely deck level 4.  The Honda mower is also used on level 4 (4″) to cut on the barrier grass. The Safety Zone has been expanded to 15 feet in width from the runway to comply with AMA standards.  Take care around the fence and concrete to protect the mower deck. It’s best to use the Honda mower to make the cut next to the fence, set to level 3 (3″). The concrete pads can also bind the mower deck (and damage the blade(s)!) where the pads are substantially above the grass level.

Thank you for helping keep our field in Top Shape!!