Groundsmaster® 1200 Series Pull Behind Rotary Mower

Consider the following job site conditions to determine the tow bar position of the mower:

• Turf with hills and dips in the contour—set the tow bar to a shorter length.

• Turf that is primarily flat—set the tow bar to a longer length.

Note: You may need to try an intermediate position tow-bar length when job site has a mixture of flat and hilly areas.

Note: The tow bar of the mower has 5 tow-bar positions allowing you to adjust the length 20 cm (8 inches).

1. Remove the 2 flange locknuts, 2 capscrews, and 2 washers that secure the hitch tube to the receiver tube (Figure 6).

   

   Figure 6

   1. Hitch tube
   2. Capscrew
   3. Washer
   4. Flange nut
   5. Receiver tube

2. Adjust the position of the hitch tube in the receiver tube according to the position that you determined in Assessing the Job Site.

3. Assemble the hitch tube to the receiver tube with the flange locknuts, capscrews, and washers that you removed in step 1.

4. Torque the nuts and capscrews to 91 to 113 N∙m (67 to 83 ft-lb).

Become familiar with operating the following tractor controls before you operate the mower:

• PTO engagement

• Engine/PTO speed

• The rear attachment control (raise/lower)

• Auxiliary valve operation

• Clutch

• Throttle

• Gear selection

• Parking brake

  Important: Refer to the tractor Operator's Manual for operating instructions.

Refer to the Outcross traction unit Operator’s Manual for information on controls and operation, as well as additional information on setting up the vehicle for this attachment.

The mower is designed to operate with a PTO speed of up to 540 rpm. Most tow vehicles indicate a 540 PTO rpm position on the tachometer.

Before using the mower, find a clear area and practice using the it. Operate the tow vehicle at recommended gear settings and PTO drive speeds and become thoroughly familiar with driving characteristics of the tow vehicle and the mower. Practice raising and lowering mower decks, stopping, and starting the PTO drive, and aligning the machine with previous passes. Practice sessions increase confidence in the operating the mower and helps ensure use of proper techniques cutting grass.

1. Check the tire air pressure daily.

   You should measure 207 kPa (30 psi).

   

   Figure 15

2. If the tire air pressure is not 30 psi, add air to or remove air from the tires.

1. If installed to the tow vehicle, remove the driveshaft.

2. Rotate the forward half of the PTO shaft guard a full rotation (Figure 16).

   Note: Clean or replace the shaft guard if it does not rotate freely.

   

   Figure 16

   1. PTO shaft guard (forward half)

3. Move the forward half of the PTO shaft guard together and apart to ensure that they telescope freely (Figure 16).

   Note: Clean or replace the shaft guard is it does not telescope freely.

4. If removed from the tow vehicle, install the driveshaft; refer to Connecting the Driveshaft to the PTO.

5. Check that the restraint chain is installed between the forward PTO shaft guard and a stationary part on the tow vehicle (Figure 17).

   

   Figure 17

   1. PTO-shaft guard (forward half)
   2. Restraint chain

6. Check that the restraint chains for the driveshaft guards are connected to center gearbox and the gearboxes on each mower deck (Figure 18, Figure 19, Figure 20, and Figure 21).

   

   Figure 18

   Center Gearbox

   1. Restraint chain
   2. PTO shaft guard
   3. Driveshaft guard
   4. Front of the machine
   

   Figure 19

   Left Deck Driveshaft Guard

   1. Driveshaft guard
   2. Left gearbox
   3. Restraint chain
   4. Front of the machine
   

   Figure 20

   Center Deck Driveshaft Guard

   1. Center deck gearbox
   2. Driveshaft guard (center deck)
   3. Restraint chain
   4. Front of the machine
   

   Figure 21

   Right Deck Driveshaft Guard

   1. Deck gearbox
   2. Driveshaft guard
   3. Restraint chain
   4. Front of the machine

7. Check that the 7 hose clamps firmly secure the driveshaft guards to the center and deck gear boxes (Figure 22).

   

   Figure 22

   1. Hose clamps

1. Ensure that the PTO is in the OFF position; refer to the Operator’s Manual for your tow vehicle.

2. Move the mower to a flat area that is large enough to support the mower decks.

3. Ensure that there are no bystanders nearby.

4. Move the control for the rear attachment-circuit to the LIFT position; refer to the Operator’s Manual for your tow vehicle.

   The mower decks may raise slightly and pressure on the deck locks reduces.

5. Pull and hold the deck-lock rope (Figure 35).

   The deck locks release.

   

   Figure 35

   1. Deck-lock rope
   2. Hose guide
   3. Lock arm

6. Move the control for the rear attachment-circuit to the LOWER position; refer to the Operator’s Manual for your tow vehicle.

   The mower decks lower to the ground (Figure 36).

   

   Figure 36

7. When the decks fully lower to the ground, release the rope and attachment control.

8. Move the control for the rear attachment-circuit to the FLOAT position; refer to the Operator’s Manual for your tow vehicle.

Use this procedure to raise the mower decks slightly when turning the machines around at the end of a cutting pass.

For instruction on using the rear attachment control, refer to the Operator’s Manual for your tow vehicle.

1. Move the control for the rear attachment-circuit to the LIFT position.

   The decks raise, and the lift pins contact the partial up-stop portion of the deck locks.

   Note: Do not pull the deck-lock rope.

   

   Figure 37

   1. Deck locks
   2. Deck pins

2. Turn the tow vehicle and align it for the next cutting pass.

3. Move the control for the rear attachment-circuit to the LOWER position.

For instruction on using the PTO and rear attachment control, refer to the Operator’s Manual for your tow vehicle.

Note: If the rear-mower deck locks do not engage the deck pins adjust the height of the deck locks. Refer to Adjusting the Rear-Mower Deck Locks.

1. Move the mower to a flat area.

2. Shut off the PTO.

3. Pull and hold the deck-lock rope (Figure 38).

   

   Figure 38

   1. Deck-lock rope
   2. Hose guide
   3. Lock arm

4. Move the control for the rear attachment-circuit to the RAISE position.

   The mower decks raise to the TRANSPORT position (Figure 39).

   

   Figure 39

5. When the decks fully raised, release the rope and attachment control.

   The deck locks engage the deck pins (Figure 40).

   

   Figure 40

   1. Right deck lock
   2. Center deck lock

6. Move the control for the rear attachment-circuit to the LOWER position until the deck locks support the weight of the decks.

1. If the mower is installed to the tow vehicle, perform the following:

   1. Ensure that the PTO is disengaged.

   2. If the mower decks are in the transport position, lower the decks; refer to Lowering the Mower Decks from the Transport Position.

   3. Engage the parking brake, shut off the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop.

2. Determine the height that you want to cut the grass.

3. Loosen the 4 locknuts that secure the 4 height-of-cut adjusters (Figure 41) of the mower deck.

   

   Figure 41

   1. Height-of-cut adjusters
   2. Adjuster capscrew
   3. Cut-height scale
   4. Locknut
   5. Pointer
   6. Rollers

4. Working at 1 of the deck rollers, turn the adjuster capscrew to raise or lower the mower until the pointer aligns with the grass cut height that you determined in step 2.

5. Tighten the locknuts for 2 height-of-cut adjusters.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the height-of-cut adjusters at the other roller.

7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for the other decks.

1. Shift the tow vehicle to LOW GEAR or LOW RANGE.

2. Driving the machine slowly, steer to make the sharp turn.

   Important: Do not exceed the 75° maximum tow vehicle to mower angle.

   

   Figure 42

   75° Maximum Tow Vehicle to Mower Angle

3. As you turn, check to ensure clearance between the tire of the tow vehicle and the parts of the mower (Figure 43).

   Note: If the tire is too close to the mower, turn more gradually.

   

   Figure 43

Raise the mower decks and thoroughly wash them.

Important: Raise and latch the decks before loading the mower on to or off from the trailer.

• Use care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or a truck.

• Use full-width ramps for loading the machine into a trailer or a truck.

Refer to Operator’s Manual for your tow chassis and tow vehicle the tie-down locations of the machine.

1. Drive the tow vehicle up the ramp.

2. Shut off the engine, remove the key, and engage the parking brake.

3. Lower the jack.

4. Tie down the machine near the wheels with straps, chains, or cables.

   Note: Refer to local regulations for tie-down requirements.

5. Secure blocks at the wheels of the machine to the bed of the trailer or truck.

6. Ensure that the PTO driveshaft is coupled to a tow vehicle or secured to the tow bar of the mower.

1. Release the 3 latches that secure the cover of the mower deck (Figure 46).

   

   Figure 46

   1. Knob (deck cover—non-CE mowers)
   2. Latch (mower-deck cover)
   3. Bolt (deck cover—CE mowers)
   4. Knob (non-CE mowers) or bolt (CE mowers)

2. Loosen the knob or bolt (CE mower deck) that secures the cover of the mower deck to the mower deck (Figure 46).

3. Lift and remove the cover from the deck.

4. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the other cover (Figure 46).

1. Align the latches of the mower-deck cover with the holes in the mower deck (Figure 47).

   

   Figure 47

   1. Latch (mower-deck cover)
   2. Knob (non-CE mowers) or bolt (CE mowers)
   3. Knob (deck cover—non-CE mowers)
   4. Bolt (deck cover—CE mowers)

2. Assemble the deck cover to the mower deck (Figure 47).

3. Secure the cover (Figure 47) as follows:

   • Non-CE mowers: thread the knob through the cover and into the mower deck, and tighten the knob.

   • CE mowers: thread the bolt into the mower deck, and tighten the bolt.

4. Secure the 3 latches of the cover to the mower deck (Figure 47).

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the other covers that you removed (Figure 47).

No. 2 lithium base grease

Apply the specified grease to the 3 grease fittings at the forward end of the PTO driveshaft (Figure 48).

Figure 48

1. Partially extend the PTO driveshaft to access the grease fitting near the middle of the inboard driveshaft guard (Figure 49).

   

   Figure 49

2. Apply grease to the 4 grease fittings for the telescoping driveshaft joints as shown in Figure 49.

Apply the specified grease to the 7 fitting for the driveshaft U-joints as shown in Figure 50.

Figure 50

Apply the specified grease to the 6 grease fittings for the driveshaft guard-slip joints as shown in Figure 51.

Figure 51

• Apply the specified grease to the lift arms, hydraulic cylinders, and impact struts of the left and right mower decks (Figure 52).

  

  Figure 52

  Left or Right Mower Deck

  1. Outboard

• Apply grease the lift arms and hydraulic cylinders, and impact struts of the center mower deck (Figure 53).

  

  Figure 53

  Center Mower Deck

  1. Back of the mower

Apply the specified grease to the grease fitting at the 3 spindles at each mower deck (Figure 53).

Figure 54

Left deck shown. Right and center decks are similar.

Apply the specified grease to the grease fittings at the 2 belt tensioners of each mower deck.

Figure 55

1. Apply the specified grease the deck roller bearings at the left side of the deck (Figure 56).

   

   Figure 56

   1. Left side of the machine

2. Grease the deck roller bearings at the right side of the deck (Figure 56).

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the deck rollers at the other decks.

• Toro Premium Tractor fluid

• Mobilfluid™ 424 tractor hydraulic fluid

1. Remove the dipstick from the dipstick port at the top of the center gearbox (Figure 57 or Figure 58).

   

   Figure 57

   Center Gearbox

   1. Dipstick
   2. Dipstick port
   3. Full dipstick mark
   4. Add dipstick mark
   

   Figure 58

   Deck Gearbox

   1. Dipstick
   2. Dipstick port
   3. Full dipstick mark
   4. Add dipstick mark

2. Check the fluid level indicated on the dipstick (Figure 57 or Figure 58).

   The fluid level should indicate between the full and add marks of the dipstick.

   Note: Add lubricant as needed to raise the level between the full and add marks; refer to Filling the Deck Gearbox or Filling the Center Gearbox.

3. Clean the threads of the dipstick and fill plug and apply PTFE thread sealant to the threads.

4. Thread the dipstick into the fill port and tighten the dipstick (Figure 57 or Figure 58).

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the deck gearboxes.

1. Remove the belt covers; refer to Removing the Deck Covers

2. Use a breaker bar or similar tool to rotate the belt tensioner for the long belt counterclockwise and slip the belt off the tensioner pulley (Figure 65).

   

   Figure 65

   1. Drive pulley
   2. Long belt
   3. Center-spindle pulley
   4. Tensioner and pulley
   5. Right-spindle pulley

3. Slip the long belt off the drive pulley, center-spindle pulley, and right-spindle pulley (Figure 65).

4. Remove the belt from the mower.

   Note: You may need to rotate the belt while removing it from the center-spindle pulley.

1. Remove the belt covers; refer to Removing the Deck Covers.

2. If installed, remove the long belt; refer to Removing the Long Belt.

3. Use a breaker bar or similar tool to rotate the belt tensioner for the short belt counterclockwise and slip the belt off the tensioner pulley (Figure 66).

   

   Figure 66

   1. Tensioner and pulley
   2. Left-spindle pulley
   3. Short belt
   4. Center-spindle pulley

4. Slip the short belt off the drive pulley, center-spindle pulley, and right-spindle pulley

5. Remove the belt from the mower.

   Note: You may need to rotate the belt while removing it from the center-spindle pulley.

1. Route the short belt around the left-spindle pulley and the lower groove of the center-spindle pulley (Figure 67).

   

   Figure 67

   1. Tensioner and pulley
   2. Left-spindle pulley
   3. Short belt
   4. Center-spindle pulley

2. Use a breaker bar or similar tool to rotate the belt tensioner counterclockwise and slip the belt over the tensioner pulley (Figure 67).

1. Route the long belt around the drive pulley, upper groove of the center-spindle pulley, and right-spindle pulley (Figure 68).

   

   Figure 68

   1. Drive pulley
   2. Tensioner and pulley
   3. Center-spindle pulley
   4. Long belt
   5. Right-spindle pulley

2. Use a breaker bar or similar tool to rotate the belt tensioner counterclockwise and slip the belt over the tensioner pulley (Figure 68).

3. Install the deck covers; refer to Installing the Deck Covers.

Note: You need the mower installed to the tow vehicle when servicing the mower blades.

1. Disengage the PTO, move the machine to a level surface, and engage the parking brake.

2. Raise and latch the mower decks, shut off the engine, and remove the key (Figure 69).

   

   Figure 69

1. Align the mower blade as shown in Figure 70.

   

   Figure 70

2. Clean the bottom of the mower deck at the area adjacent to the cutting edge at the rear of the blade (Figure 71).

   

   Figure 71

   1. Clean area (bottom of the mower deck)

3. Use a combination square to measure the distance between the clean area of the deck and the tip of the cutting edge (Figure 72).

   Record your measurement .

   

   Figure 72

4. Rotate the blade 180° (Figure 72).

5. Measure the distance between the clean area on the deck and the tip of the cutting edge (Figure 72).

   Record your measurement .

   The difference between measurements that you observed in steps 4 and 6 exceed 3 mm (1/8 inch), the blade is bent, and you must replace the it; refer to Removing the Blades and Installing the Blades

6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 for the other blades of the mower deck or steps 1 through 6 for the other decks.

1. Inspect the cutting edges (Figure 73). If the edges are not sharp or have nicks, remove and sharpen the blades. Refer to Sharpening the Blades.

2. Inspect the blades, especially the sail area (Figure 73). If you notice any damage, wear, or a slot forming in this area (Figure 73), immediately install a new blade.

   Danger

   If you allow the blade to wear, a slot will form between the sail and flat part of the blade. Eventually a piece of the blade may break off and be thrown from under the housing, possibly resulting in serious injury or death to you or bystanders.

   • Inspect the blade periodically for wear or damage.

   • Never try to straighten a blade that is bent or weld a broken or cracked blade.

   • Replace a worn or damaged blade.

   

   Figure 73

   1. Cutting edge
   2. Sail area
   3. Wear/slot forming
   4. Crack

Blades must be replaced if a solid object is hit, if the blade is out of balance or is bent. To ensure optimum performance and continued safety conformance of the machine, use genuine Toro replacement blades. Replacement blades made by other manufacturers may result in non-conformance with safety standards.

1. Hold the blade end using a rag or thickly-padded glove.

2. Rotate the blade bolt clockwise to remove the bolt (Figure 74).

   Important: The blade bolts have left-hand threads

   

   Figure 74

   1. Spindle
   2. Sail area of blade
   3. Anti-scalp plate
   4. Blade bolt

3. Remove the anti-scalp plate and blade from the spindle shaft (Figure 74).

1. Sharpen the cutting edge at both ends of the blade (Figure 75).

   Note: Maintain the original angle. The blade retains its balance if the same amount of material is removed from both cutting edges.

   

   Figure 75

   1. Sharpen at original angle

2. Check the balance of the blade by putting it on a blade balancer (Figure 76).

   Note: If the blade stays in a horizontal position, the blade is balanced and can be used. If the blade is not balanced, file some metal off the end of the sail area only (Figure 77). Repeat this procedure until the blade is balanced.

   

   Figure 76

   1. Blade
   2. Balancer
   

   Figure 77

   1. Spindle
   2. Sail area of blade
   3. Anti-scalp plate
   4. Blade bolt

1. Install the blade onto the spindle shaft (Figure 77).

   Important: The curved part of the blade must be pointing upward toward the inside of the mower to ensure proper cutting.

2. Install the anti-scalp plate and blade bolt (Figure 77).

   Important: The blade bolts have left-hand threads.

3. Torque the blade bolt to 115 to 150 N∙m (85 to 110 ft-lb).

1. Loosen the nut that secures the height-of-cut adjuster block (Figure 79).

   

   Figure 79

   1. 4-7/8 inch measurement
   2. Height-of-cut adjuster

2. Move the height-of-cut adjuster up or down until you measure 124 mm (4-7/8 inches) from the top of adjuster block to the ground (Figure 79).

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 at the other height-of-cut adjusters.

Customer provided material: wood spacer block 51 mm (2 inches)

1. Working at the back of the mower deck, lift the rear flap and align the wood block 51 mm (2 inches) between the rear end of the center mower blade and the ground (Figure 80).

   You should feel slight drag as you slip the block between the blade and the ground.

   • If there is too much clearance between the blade and the ground, use the 4 height-of-cut adjusters to lower the deck.

   • If you cannot slip the wood block between the blade and the ground, use the 4 height-of-cut adjusters to raise the deck.

   

   Figure 80

   1. Height-of-cut adjuster
   2. Center mower blade
   3. Wood spacer block 51 mm (2 inches)
   4. Rear flap

2. Measure the distance between top of adjuster block to the ground (Figure 81).

   Rotate the height-of-cut adjuster until you achieve the following results:

   • The height-of-cut block to the ground measurement the same at all 4 locations.

   • The wood block is a slip fit between the center mower blade and the ground.

   

   Figure 81

   1. Top of the height-of-cut adjuster

3. Loosen the 2 socket-head screws that secure the pointer to the height-of-cut adjuster block, align the pointer to the 51 mm (2 inches) mark on the decal, and tighten the screws (Figure 82).

   

   Figure 82

   1. Height-of-cut adjuster
   2. Socket-head screw
   3. Nut
   4. Pointer
   5. 51 mm (2 inches) mark (decal)

4. Repeat step 3 at the other height-of-cut adjusters.

5. At the rear roller, raise the left and right height of cut adjusters to the 57 mm (2-1/4 inches) mark on the decal (Figure 83).

   

   Figure 83

   1. 57 mm (2-1/4 inches) mark (decal)
   2. Pointer
   3. Height-of-cut adjuster (rear roller)

6. Loosen the socket-head screws that secure the 2 pointers to the height-of-cut adjuster block, align the pointers to the 51 mm (2 inches) mark on the decal, and tighten the screws (Figure 84).

   

   Figure 84

   1. Socket-head screw
   2. Height-of-cut adjuster (rear roller)
   3. 51 mm (2 inches) mark (decal)
   4. Pointer
   5. Nut

7. Torque the 4 nuts that secure the 4 height-of-cut adjuster blocks (Figure 82 and Figure 84) for the front and rear rollers to 322 to 396 N∙m (238 to 292 ft-lb).