Snapper FM7300 User Manual

Safety Instructions & Operator’s Manual for

73” FINISHING MOWER

CATAGORY ONE

3 POINT HITCH

MODEL

FM7300

Thank you for buying a SNAPPER Product! Before operating your finishing mower, read this manual carefully and pay particular attention to the “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” on Pages 2 & 3. The “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” on pages 2 & 3 of this manual provide general saf e operating practices and w arnings for operating powered lawn mowers. You must refer to your tractor manual for specific operating instructions and warnings for your tractor. Remember that all power equipment can be dangerous if used improperly. Also keep in mind that SAFETY requires careful use in accordance with the operating instructions and common sense!

MANUAL No. 7-2074 (I.R. 11/16/98)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: This finishing mower is capable of amp ut atin g h ands an d f e et and can throw object s th at can cause injury and damage! Failure to comply with the following SAFETY instructions could result in serious injury or death to the operator or other persons. The owner of the finishing mower must understand these instructions and must allow only persons who understand these instructions to operate the finishing mower. Each person operating the finishing mower must be of sound mind and body and must not be under the influence of any substance which might impair vision, dexterity or judgment. If you have any questions pertaining to the finishing mower which your dealer cannot answer to your satisfaction, call or write the Customer Service Department at SNAPPER, McDonough, Georgia 30253. Phone: (1-800-935-2967). Follow the SAFETY instructions provided with your tractor and contact your dealer or the tractor manufacturer if you have any questions pertaining to its safe use.

PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occu r if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing act ivity. Never assume that children w ill remain where you last saw them.

1. KEEP children out of the mowing area and under the watchful care of a responsible adult.

2. DO NOT allow children in yard when mower is operated (even with the blade OFF).

3. DO NOT allow children or ot her p assenge rs t o rid e on mower (even with the blade OFF). They may fall and be seriously injured.

4. DO NOT allow pre-teenage children to operate mower.

5. ALLOW only adults or responsible teenagers with mature judgment under close adult supervision to operate mower.

6. BE SURE the area is clear of others before mowing and turn mower OFF if anyone enters the area.

7. DO NOT mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. LOOK BEHIND and down for small children before and when backing.

8. USE EXTRA CARE when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

PROTECTION AGAINST TIPOVERS

Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra CAUTION. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, DO NOT mow it. Use extra care when using the finishing mower; it can change the stability of the tractor.

1. DO NOT operate mower on slopes exceeding 15 degrees (27% grade).

2. Exercise EXT REME CAUTION on slopes abov e 10 degrees (18% grade). Turn blade OFF when traveling uphill. Use first speed and avoid sudden or sharp turns.

3. DO NOT mow back and forth across face of slopes. Mow up and down.

PROTECTION AGAINST TIPOVERS

(Continued From Previous Column)

4. AVOID uphill starts. If you stop mowing while going uphill or tires lose traction, turn bl ade OFF and back slowly down the slope.

5. STAY ALERT for holes and other hidden hazards. Tall grass can hide obstacles. Keep away from ditches, washouts, culverts, fences and protruding objects.

6. KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE (at least 3 feet) away from edge of ditches and other drop offs. The mower could turn over if an edge caves in.

7. Always begin forward motion slowly.

8. This mower attach ment can affect the handling a nd stability of the tractor. Counter weights may be required. Contact the tractor dealer or tractor manufactur er for recom mend ed saf e pr actic e befo re operating.

9. DO NOT mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

10. DO NOT mow under any condition where traction, steering or stability is doubtful without first test driving over the terrain with blade OFF.

11. Operator Protective Structure may be required when this mower attachment is mounted to your tractor. Contact the tractor dealer or tractor manufacturer for Safe Operation instructions before operating.

PREPARATION

1. Read this manual and tractor manual. Get to know where all controls a re located and practice ho w to use them before starting for the first time, and at the beginning of each se ason. Read and follow all Warnings and Instructions

2. Only mature, responsible persons shall operate the machine and only after proper instruction.

3. Handle fuel with extra care. Fuels are flammable and vapors are explosive. Use only an approved fuel container. Never re move fuel cap or add fuel with engine running. Add fuel outdoors only with engine stopped and cool. Clean spilled fuel from machine. DO NOT smoke.

4. Practice operation of mower with BLADE OFF to learn controls and develop skills.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

PREPARATION

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5. Check the area to be mowed and remove all objects such as to ys, wire, rocks, limb s and other objects that could cause injur y if thrown by blade or interfere with mowing.

6. Keep people and pets a safe distance from machine.

7. Check shields, deflectors, switches, blade controls and other safety devices frequently for proper operation and location.

8. Make sure all safety decals are clearly legible. Replace if damaged.

9. Protect yourself when mowing and wear safety glasses, long pants and substantial footwear.

10. Know how to STOP blade and engine quickly in preparation for emergencies.

11. Use extra care when loading or unloading the mowing equipment into a trailer or truck.

12. Check grass catcher components frequently, if applicable, for signs of wear or deterioration and replace as needed to prevent injury from thrown objects going through weak or worn spots.

13. Attach mower to tractor hitch using proper hitch pins and retainers. If mower separates from tractor during operation, serious injury or death can result.

14. Adjust stabilizer bars on tractor hitch to prevent driveline contact with tires during turns and keep mower in proper position behind tractor.

15. Mower caster wheels mu st be on the ground and support mower before turning blades on. DO NOT operate mower at any time with casters off the ground. Blades must stop rotating before lifting or transporting mower to avoid dangerous driveline condition.

OPERATION

1. Follow Tractor Manual Instructions for proper tractor operation.

2. STOP BLADE and ENGINE and make sure blade has stopped before removing grass catcher, if applicable, or unclogging mower to prevent loss of fingers or hand.

3. Blade must be OFF except wh en cu tt ing grass. Set blade in highest position when mowing over rough ground.

4. Keep hands and feet away from rotating blade underneath deck. NEVER place foot on ground while BLADE is ON or machine is in motion.

5. Deflector or entire grass catcher, if applicable, must be in place. NEVER point discharge at people, passing cars, windows or doors.

6. Slow down before turning.

7. Watch out for traffic when near or crossing roadways.

8. STOP engine immediately after striking an obstruction. Inspect mower and repair damage before resuming operation.

9. Mow only in daylight or with good artificial light.

OPERATION

(Continued From Previous Column)

9. DO NOT pull loads when mower is attached to tractor.

10. This mower attachment can affect the handling and stability of the tractor it is mounted on. Refer to your tractor manual or contact your tractor dealer or tractor manufacturer for SAFETY information and requirements for counter weights.

11. DO NOT operate mow er unless all guards, sh ields and defectors are in place.

12. Rotating driveline contact can cause injury or death. DO NOT operate mower without all driveline & mower shields in place and functioning properly.

13. DO NOT operate mower if driveline shielding is damaged or does not rotate freely.

14. Make sure all motion has stopped (traction, blades, etc.) and mower is parked in position to prevent movement before approaching mower for any reason.

15. DO NOT transport mower with mower blades rotating.

16. DO NOT exceed the recommended operating speed of mower driveline.

17. DO NOT stand on mower or driveline.

18. DO NOT exceed the safe working angle of the driveline. Make sure blades have stopped rotating before lifting mower.

19. DO NOT ent er th e area be t ween the tractor and the mower until all rotating parts have stopped. STOP tractor. STOP engine. STOP blades. Set brake. Remove key.

20. DO NOT allow children or others to stand sit or ride on finishing mower.

21. DO NOT lift people or objects with the finishing mower.

MAINTENANCE

1. Keep all bolts, nuts and screws properly tight. Check that all cotter pins are in proper position.

2. Lubricate mower at intervals specified in manual.

3. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blades or wear heavy leather gloves and use CAUTION when handling them.

4. Have mower serv iced by an authorized SNAPPER dealer at least once a year and have the dealer install any new safety devices.

5. Use only genuine SNAPPER replacement parts on finishing mower to assure that original safety standards are maintained.

6. DO NOT work under the mower when lifted unless it has been securel y blo c ked t o p r ev ent th e mower from falling or moving. Disconnect driveline from tractor before doing any work on mower.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS................................................2-3

TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................4

SECTION 1 - FAMILIARIZATION............................................................. 5

SECTION 2 - SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS.................................................6-7

SECTION 3 - OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS.........................................8-9

Mower Preparation ........................................................................................................ 8

Tractor Preparation ....................................................................................................... 8

Mower Attachment ........................................................................................................ 8

Setting Cutting Height................................................................................................ 8-9

Starting & Stopping Mower .......................................................................................... 9

SECTION 4 - MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS ................................... 10

Service - After First 5 Hours.......................................................................................10

Checking Mower Blade......................................................................................... 10

Checking Mower Drive Shaft ............................................................................... 10

Lubricating Mower Components................................................................................ 10

Mower Gear Box Lubrication ............................................................................... 10

Service - Every 25 Hours ............................................................................................ 10

Service - Annually ....................................................................................................... 10

SECTION 5- ADJUSTMENTS AND REPAIR.....................................11-13

Mower Belt Replacement ............................................................................................ 11

Mower Blade Replacement/Sharpening .................................................................... 11

Mower Spindles Bearing Replacement ..................................................................... 12

Driveline Repair ...................................................................................................... 12-13

WARRANTY............................................................................................ 14

IMPORTANT

The IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS on pages 2 & 3 of this manual provide safe operating instructions and warnings for powered lawn mowers. You must refer to your tractor manual for safe operating instructions and warnings for your tractor.

SECTION 1 - FAMILIARIZATION

BELT/SPINDLE

TOP HITCH

PIVOTING

COUPLING

CUTTING

CASTER

MOWER

FRONT HITCH

DEFLECTOR

DECK

1.1 INTRODUCTION

This manual has been prepar ed for the operator s of the SNAPPER 73” Finishing Mower. Its purpose, aside from recommending s tand a rd oper at ing procedures and routine service requirements, is to promote SAFETY through the use of accepted operat ing practices. Read, Understand and Follow the IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS on Pages 2 and 3 of this m anual, ALL Safety messages on the 73” Finishing Mower and all Safety messages which accompany and are attached to your tractor.

COVER

LYNCH PIN

WHEEL

DRIVESHAFT GUARD

REAR HITCH BARS

GEAR BOX

LINKS

BARS

HITCH

DRIVELINE

HEIGHT SPACERS

RING

1.2 NOMENCLATURE

The nomenclature information above, shows specific components of the SNA PP ER 73” Fin is hing Mo wer. It is recommended that all operators of this equipment become thoroughly familiar with the controls, components, and operation of the mowing equipment before operating the mower. Driveline information is also found in the separate driveline owner’s manual. Study all equipment manuals before operating the mower and keep all manuals handy for future reference.

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