Section 3: Operating Instructions
RC5715 & RCM5715 Rotary Cutters 331-431M
1/20/21
38
•
Always follow “Tractor Shutdown Procedure” provided in
this manual before dismounting the tractor.
•
Never carry riders on the implement or tractor. Riders can
obstruct the operator’s view, interfere with controls, be
pinched by moving components, become entangled in
rotating components, struck by objects, thrown about, fall
•
Allow only persons to operate this implement who have
fully read and comprehended this manual, who have been
properly trained in the safe operation of this implement,
and who are age 16 or older. Serious injury or death can
result from the inability to read, understand, and follow
instructions provided in this manual.
•
Perform scheduled maintenance. Check for loose
hardware, missing parts, broken parts, structural cracks,
and excessive wear. Make repairs before putting the
•
Do not operate and/or travel across inclines where the
tractor and/or implement can rollover. Consult your
tractor’s manual for acceptable inclines the tractor is
capable of traveling across. When traveling across steep
inclines, ensure the wings are folded down.
•
Do not raise the wing off the ground when traveling across
an incline. The weight of the wing will increase the risk of
•
Operate only power machines equipped with a certified
Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) and seat belt. Keep
folding ROPS in the “locked up” position when
appropriate. If ROPS is in the locked up position, fasten
seat belt snugly and securely to help protect against serious
injury or death from falling and machine overturn.
•
Watch while making tight turns to ensure that the rear
tractor tires and lower 3-point arms do not make contact
with cutter hitch, driveline or deck. Keep lower 3-point
arms raised at all times when hitched to a pull-type cutter.
•
Wait for blades to come to a complete stop before accessing
blade bolts through blade bolt access hole.
•
Do not use implement as a man lift, work platform or as a
wagon to carry objects. It is not properly designed or
•
Do not use implement to lift objects; to pull objects such as
fence posts, stumps, etc; or to push objects. The unit is not
designed or guarded for these uses.
•
Do not use implement to tow other equipment. Doing so
can result in loss of control and damage the equipment.
•
Do not weld or torch on galvanized metal as it will release
•
Do not operate a cutter with a hitch or hitch pin that is
excessively worn, bent, broken, or has structural cracks.
The hitch and/or hitch pin can break apart separating
•
Some tractors are equipped with two power take-off
speeds. Be certain your tractor’s power take-off is set-up to
operate at the implement’s rated power take-off speed or
equipment breakage may result. RC models are rated for
540 rpm and RCM models are rated for 1000 rpm.
•
Some tractors are able to over speed their rated power take-
off speed of 540 rpm or 1000 rpm. Only operate at the
cutter’s designed speed of 540 rpm or 1000 rpm. Excessive
speed can damage drive components, cutter blades, and/or
increase the risk of thrown object hazard.
•
Do not operate a broken or bent driveline. Such a driveline
will break apart while rotating at high speeds and can cause
serious injury or death. Always remove the implement from
use until the damaged driveline can be repaired or replaced.
•
Avoid catching hydraulic hoses on brush, posts, tree limbs,
and other protrusions that could damage and/or break them.
•
Buildup of debris around moving components and
gearboxes is a fire hazard. Keep rotating parts and
gearboxes free from debris to avoid serious injury and
•
Improper oil level can cause bearing failure and be a fire
hazard. Maintain proper gearbox oil level to avoid serious
•
Do not exceed rated cutting capacity of your cutter. See
specifications & capacities for specified cutting capacity.
Exceeding rated cutting capacity can damage drive
components, cutter blades, and deck components.
Tractor Shutdown Procedure
The following are basic tractor shutdown procedures.
Follow these procedures and any additional shutdown
procedures provided in your tractor Operator’s Manual
before leaving the operator’s seat.
1. Reduce engine speed and disengage power take-off
if engaged.
2. Park tractor and implement on level, solid ground.
3. Lower implement to ground or onto solid,
non-concrete support blocks.
4. Put tractor in park or set park brake, turn off engine,
and remove ignition key to prevent unauthorized
starting.
5. Relieve all hydraulic pressure to auxiliary hydraulic
lines.
6. Wait for all components to come to a complete stop
before leaving the operator’s seat.
7.
Use steps, grab-handles and anti-slip surfaces when
stepping on and off the tractor.
Maintain correct power take-off speed.
Loss of power take-off speed will allow blades to
swing back and result in ragged, uneven cutting.
IMPORTANT:
Do not let the wings flex down more
than 20 degrees while operating the cutter. Doing so
can cause damage to the cutter.
IMPORTANT:
If wing driveline profile is bent or
twisted, disconnect that driveline from the wing
gearbox before folding the wing up. This will protect