BEFCO TORNADO RSD-142 User manual

BEFCO®
Operator’s Manual
TORNADO
Rotary Cutter
RSD-142, RSD-148, RSD-160, RSD-172
RRB-148, RRB-160, RRB-172
RRB-248, RRB-260, RRB-272
The operator’s manual is a technical service guide and must always accompany the machine.
Manual 971-134B
November 2012

SAFETY
Take note! This safety alert symbol found throughout this manual is used to call your
attention to instructions involving your personal safety and the safety of others. Failure to
follow these instructions can result in injury or death.
Signal Words
Note the use of the signal words DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION with the safety messages. The
appropriate signal words for each have been selected using the following guidelines:
DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury, and includes hazards that are exposed when guards are removed. It may also be used
to alert against unsafe practices.
CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, may result in minor or
moderate injury.
This symbol means:
ATTENTION!
BECOME ALERT!
YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!

41
PARTS MANUAL
36
8 - WARRANTY
35
7 - PRE-DELIVERY CHECKLIST
34
6 - TROUBLESHOOTING
325.03 - Storage 325.02 - Suggested Spare Parts 325.01 - Gearbox 32
5 - REPAIR PROCEDURES
284.07 - Safety Slip Clutch 274.06 - Safety Shear Bolt 264.05 - Driveline 254.04 - Rotor & Stump Jumper Assembly 234.03 - Blade Maintenance 224.02 - Service 214.01 - Maintenance Safety 21
4 - MAINTENANCE
193.11 - Transport 193.10 - Removing Rotary Cutter from the Tractor 193.09 - Uneven Terrain 183.08 - Working Speed 173.07 - Start Up 163.06 - Attaching to the Tractor 153.05 - Pre-Operational Check 153.04 - Cutting Height Adjustment 123.03 - Assembly Instructions 123.02 - Setup 103.01 - Operational Safety 10
3 - OPERATION
72.03 - Messages and Signs 72.02 - Starting and Stopping 62.01 - Preparation 6
2 - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
51.03 - Model and Serial Number ID 41.02 - Warranty Information 41.01 - General 4
1 - GENERAL INFORMATION
INDEX
INDEX 3BEFCO

1 - GENERAL INFORMATION
Thank you and congratulations for having chosen our implement. Your new rotary cutter
is a technologically advanced machine constructed of high quality, sturdy components
that will fulfill your working expectations. Read this manual carefully. It will instruct you
on how to operate and service your mower safely and correctly. Failure to do so could
result in personal injury and/or in equipment damage.
1.01 - General
The implement described in this manual is to be used with tractors with PTO at 540 rpm
and clockwise rotation.
CAUTION: Always ensure that the coupling of the implement with the tractor is
done at the same PTO speed and direction of rotation. Do not operate this
implement at a PTO speed or direction of rotation other than that shown on the
implement. Serious damage can occur to the machine and/or the operator.
CAUTION: Hardware used on the implement may be metric. Use only metric tools
on metric hardware. Other tools that do not fit properly can slip and cause injury.
CAUTION: Right hand and left hand sides of the implement are determined by
facing in the direction the implement will travel when going forward (see fig. 2).
1.02 - Warranty Information
Carefully read the Warranty section1, detailing coverage and limitations of this warranty.
Warranty is provided for customers who operate and maintain their equipment as
described in this manual. Warranty registration is accomplished by the dealer by
completing and forwarding the Warranty Registration form to the Company, along with
a copy of the dealer’s invoice. It is in your best interest to insure that this has been
done.
Warranty does not cover the following:
1. Cleaning, transporting, mailing and service call charges.
2. Normal wear items such as blades, bearings, wheels, drivelines, shear pins, slip
clutches, etc.
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
GENERAL INFORMATION 4BEFCO
1See Chapter 8 - Warranty.

3. Depreciation or damage caused by normal wear, accidents, improper maintenance,
improper protection or improper use.
4. The use of non-original spare parts and accessories.
Your Authorized Company Dealer has genuine parts in stock. Only these approved
replacement parts should be used.
This limited warranty covers defective material and workmanship. The cost of normal
maintenance or repairs for accidents or improper use and related labor will be borne by
the owner.
1.03 - Model and Serial Number ID
Attached to the frame is an ID plate showing the model and the serial number. Record
your implement model and serial number in the space provided below. Your dealer
needs this information to give you prompt, efficient service when you order parts.
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
GENERAL INFORMATION 5BEFCO

2 - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Safety is the primary concern in the design and manufacture of our products.
Unfortunately our efforts to provide safe equipment can be wiped out by a single
careless act of an operator.
In addition to the design and configuration of equipment, hazard control and accident
prevention are dependent upon the awareness, concern, prudence and proper training
of personnel involved in the operation, transport, maintenance and storage of
equipment. It is the operator’s responsibility to read and understand all safety and
operating instructions in the manual and to follow these.
Allow only properly trained personnel to operate the mower. Working with unfamiliar
equipment can lead to careless injuries. Read this manual, and the manual for your
tractor, before assembly or operation, to acquaint yourself with the machines. It is the
mower owner’s responsibility, if this machine is used by any person other than yourself,
is loaned or rented, to make certain that the operator, prior to operating, reads and
understands the operator’s manuals and is instructed in safe and proper use.
WARNING: Because of possible injury from thrown objects, all rotary cutters are
potentially dangerous. Any rotary cutter intended for use along roadways or other
locations where people may be present, must be used with safety shields in
place.
2.01 - Preparation
1. Before operating equipment read and understand the operator’s manual and the
safety signs (see fig. 2).
2. Thoroughly inspect the implement before initial operation to assure that all
packaging materials, i.e. wires, bands, and tape have been removed. Ensure that
tape has been removed from blades prior to use.
3. Personal protection equipment including hard hat, safety glasses, safety shoes, and
gloves are recommended during assembly, installation, operation, adjustment,
maintaining and/or repairing the implement.
4. Operate the rotary cutter only with a tractor equipped with an approved
Roll-Over-Protective-System (ROPS). Always wear your seat belt. Serious injury or
even death could result from falling off the tractor.
5. Clear area to be cut of stones, branches or other debris that might be thrown,
causing injury or damage.
6. Operate only in daylight or good artificial light.
7. Ensure rotary cutter is properly mounted, adjusted and in good operating condition.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 6BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL

8. Ensure that all safety shielding and safety signs are properly installed and in good
condition.
2.02 - Starting and Stopping
1. Be sure that no one is near the machine prior to engaging or while the machine is
working.
2. Be sure the tractor is in “Neutral” before starting engine.
3. Mower operating power is supplied from tractor PTO. Refer to your tractor manual
for PTO engagement and disengagement instructions. Always operate PTO at 540
rpm. Know how to stop the tractor and mower quickly in case of an emergency.
4. When engaging PTO, the engine rpm should always be low. Once engaged and
ready to start cutting, gradually raise PTO speed to 540 rpm and maintain
throughout cutting operation.
5. Check the tractor master shield over the PTO stub shaft. Make sure it is in good
condition and fastened securely to the tractor. Purchase a new shield if old shield is
damaged or missing.
6. If the driveline you are using is equipped with a slip clutch, ensure that the metal slip
clutch shield is properly mounted to the gearbox and in good condition.
7. After striking an obstacle, disengage the PTO, shut the tractor down and thoroughly
inspect for damage before restarting.
8. Never engage the PTO until the cutter is in the down position and resting on the
ground. Never raise the cutter until all blades have come to a complete stop.
9. To park the vehicle safely, stop vehicle on a level surface (not on a slope),
disengage PTO, engage the parking brake, stop the engine, remove the key, and
wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before leaving the operator’s seat.
10.Stay clear of rotating drivelines. Entanglement in rotating driveline can cause serious
injury or death. Wear close fitting clothing. Stop the engine and be sure PTO
driveline is stopped before getting near it.
2.03 - Messages and Signs
1. Read and adhere to all safety and operating decals on this machine (see fig. 2).
2. Before dismounting tractor: Allow moving parts to stop, stop engine, set brake and
remove the key of unattended equipment.
3. Keep away from rotating blades and driveline.
4. Keep guards and shields in place and in good condition.
5. Do not mow with bystanders in area.
6. Allow no riders on tractor or mower.
7. Allow moving parts to stop before repair.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 7BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL

8. Securely support cutter before working underneath.
Additional warning and operating decals are available at no extra charge. Please specify
model and serial number when ordering.
Fig. 2 - Safety decals - implement; replace immediately if damaged.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 8BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
right side
left side
Red reflective decal

Safety decals - driveline; replace immediately if damaged.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 9BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
placed on outer shield
placed on outer tube

3 - OPERATION
You have purchased a rotary cutter which is solid, dependable, and built to last. Our
rotary cutters are ideal for use in farms, industrial sites, airports, highways, hospital
grounds and many other applications. The Tornado rotary cutter handles the tallest
grass and tough mowing assignments including bushes with limbs of up to 1” in
diameter. It can also be used for chopping wheat, cornstalks, sunflowers, artichokes
and potatoes. The residue is pulverized for easy incorporation into the ground.
On the rotary cutter, the tractor PTO transmits its power through a driveline to a speed
multiplier gearbox. The pinion gear shaft of the gearbox transmits the power to the
blades holder.
The rotary cutters Tornado RSD & RRB, for tractors up to 60 HP, are standard duty
models with working widths of 42”, 48”, 60” and 72”. The PTO runs at 540 rpm.
The rotor turns at 1042 rpm on the 42” and 48” models and at 794 rpm on the 60” and
72” models.
The balanced rotor is equipped with two 3/8”x23/4” free swing spring steel blades on the
42” and 48” models and two ½”x3” free swing spring steel blades on the 60” and 72”
models. The implement comes with a cutting height control tail wheel and with a
4”x8”x15” laminated tire. The cutting height varies from 1” to 9¼”. The 48”, 60” and 72”
models come with a standard stump jumper to protect the blade holder rotor.
3.01 - Operational Safety
CAUTION: Our rotary cutters are designed considering safety as the most
important aspect and are the safest available in today’s market. Unfortunately,
human carelessness can override the safety features built into our machines.
Injury prevention and work safety, aside from the features on our cutters, are very
much due to the responsible use of the equipment. It must always be operated
prudently following with great care, the safety instructions laid out in this manual.
WARNING: Because of possible injury from thrown objects, all rotary cutters are
potentially dangerous. Any rotary cutter intended for use along roadways or other
locations where people may be present, must be used with safety shields in
place.
1. The use of this equipment is subject to certain hazards which cannot be prevented
by mechanical means or product design. All operators of this equipment must read
OPERATION 10 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL

and understand this entire manual, paying particular attention to safety and
operating instructions, prior to using.
2. Do not operate the tractor and rotary cutter when you are tired, sick or when using
medication.
3. Keep all helpers and bystanders at least 300 feet from a rotary cutter. Only properly
trained people should operate this machine.
4. When this machine is operated in populated areas where thrown objects could injure
persons or property, optional equipment safety shielding (which is designed to
reduce the possibility of thrown objects) must be installed.
5. The majority of accidents involve entanglements on the driveline, injury of
bystanders by objects thrown by the rotating blades, and operators being knocked
off the tractor by low hanging limbs and then being run over by the rotary cutter.
Accidents are most likely to occur with machines that are loaned or rented to
someone who has not read the operator’s manual and is not familiar with a rotary
cutter.
6. Always stop the tractor, set brake, shut off the tractor engine, remove the ignition
key, lower implement to the ground and allow rotary cutter blades to come to a
complete stop before dismounting tractor. Never leave equipment unattended with
the tractor running.
7. Never place hands or feet under rotary cutter with tractor engine running or before
you are sure all motion has stopped. Stay clear of all moving parts.
8. Do not allow riders on the rotary cutter or tractor at any time. There is no safe place
for riders.
9. Do not operate unless all personnel, livestock and pets are at least 300 feet away to
prevent injury by thrown objects.
10.Before backing up, disengage the rotary cutter and look behind carefully.
11.Install and secure all guards and shields before starting or operating.
12.Keep hands, feet, hair and clothing away from moving parts.
13.This rotary cutter is designed for use only on tractors with 540 rpm power take off.
14.Never operate tractor and rotary cutter under trees with low hanging limbs.
Operators can be knocked off the tractor and then run over by the rotating blades.
15.The rotating parts of this machine have been designed and tested for rugged use.
However, they could fail upon impact with heavy, solid objects such as steel guard
rails and concrete abutments. Such impact could cause the broken objects to be
thrown outward at very high velocities. To reduce the possibility of property damage,
serious injury, or even death, never allow the cutting blades to contact such
obstacles.
16.Frequently check rotary cutter blades. They should be sharp, free of nicks and
cracks and securely fastened.
17.Stop rotary cutter immediately upon striking an obstruction. Turn engine off, remove
key, inspect and repair any damage before resuming operation.
18.Stay alert for holes, rocks and roots in the terrain and other hidden hazards. Keep
away from drop-offs.
19.Use extreme care and maintain minimum ground speed when transporting on
hillside, over rough ground and when operating close to ditches or fences. Be careful
when turning sharp corners.
OPERATION 11 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL

20.Reduce speed on slopes and sharp turns to minimize tipping or loss of control. Be
careful when changing directions on slopes. Do not start or stop suddenly on slopes.
Avoid operation on steep slopes.
21.When using a unit, a minimum 20% of tractor and equipment weight must be on
tractor front wheels. Without this weight, tractor could tip over, causing personal
injury or death. The weight may be attained with a front end loader, front wheel
weights, ballast in tires or front tractor weights. When attaining a minimum 20% of
tractor and equipment weight on the front wheels, you must not exceed the ROPS
weight certification. Weigh the tractor and equipment. Do not guess or estimate!
22.Inspect the entire machine periodically2. Look for loose fasteners, worn or broken
parts, and leaky or loose fittings.
23.Use only the driveline supplied with the rotary cutter. Do not use it if it is missing any
shield or safety protection.
24.Pass diagonally through sharp dips and avoid sharp drops to prevent “hanging up”
tractor and implement.
25.Avoid sudden starts and stops while traveling up or downhill.
26.Always cut down slopes; never across the face. Avoid operation on steep slopes.
Slow down on sharp turns and slopes to prevent tipping and/or loss of control.
3.02 - Setup
Notice to dealer: Pre-delivery setup and service including lubrication is the
responsibility of the authorized dealer. It is up to him to assure that the machine is in
perfect condition and ready to be used. It is his responsibility to ensure that the
customer is aware of all safety aspects and operational procedures for the rotary cutter.
He must also fill out the Pre-Delivery Checklist3prior to delivering the rotary cutter.
3.03 - Assembly Instructions
For transportation purposes the three point hitch of the rotary cutter is shipped
unassembled.
WARNING: Secure rotary cutter with a hoist before removing the crate from the
unit, carefully lower it to the ground after hardware and crating material has been
removed. The implement is very heavy and a sudden fall could cause serious
injury or death.
OPERATION 12 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
3See Chapter 7 - Pre-Delivery Checklist.
2See Chapter 4 - Maintenance.

CAUTION: Stand clear of bands when cutting as they could be under sufficient
tension to cause them to fly loose. Take care in removing bands and wire. They
often have extremely sharp edges and cut very easily.
To assemble the tree point hitch proceed as follows:
1. Vertical supports come installed, but are lowered on the frame. Loosen bolts to raise
them and ensure they are installed to the inside of the front support plates welded
on the front of the cutter frame.
2. Install the horizontal supports to the inside of the rear cutter frame using the
M14x40 bolts and the M14 nuts provided. Bolt loosely at first.
3. Disassemble top hitch plate in order to position horizontal supports. Reassemble as
follows: 5/8”x6” bolt, vertical support, horizontal support, top hitch plate, spacer, top
hitch plate, horizontal support, vertical support, 5/8” nut. Be sure the top hitch plate
swings freely.
4. Ensure all hardware is properly tightened.
5. Grease the wheel yoke, the wheel hub, the PTO shaft and check the gearbox for oil.
It should be approximately ½ filled.
To assemble the driveline proceed as follows:
1. Install driveline and ensure it has at least 2” from bottoming out in its shortest
working position and has the minimum 6” overlap in its longest working position.
Refer to Section 4.054of this manual, if it is determined that the driveline is too long
and needs to be shortened. Contact your local dealer if it is determined that the
driveline is too short for your tractor. After having determined that the driveline is of
the correct length for your tractor, proceed to step 5.
2. For models with shear bolt driveline (see fig. 3): Slide driveline yoke onto
gearbox input shaft. Install snap ring onto grove on input shaft. The snap ring is for
added security in case the shear bolt should break. Install ½”-13x3.5” grade 2 shear
bolt through yoke and input shaft and secure with ½” nut.
3. For models with slip clutch driveline (see fig. 4): Install the metal clutch shield
onto gearbox using two M8x20 bolts, lock washers and nuts. Slide slip clutch onto
gearbox input shaft and secure with M12-1.25x70 class 8.8 bolt, lock washer and
M12-1.25 nut.
4. Install both driveline safety chains. One should be hooked in a hole on the outer
driveline yoke shield and to the tractor to restrict outer shield rotation. The second
one should be hooked in a hole on the inner driveline yoke shield and to the rotary
cutter to restrict inner shield rotation.
OPERATION 13 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
4See Section 4.05 - Driveline, for instructions on how to determine correct driveline length and
procedures for shortening the driveline.

WARNING: For models with a shear bolt driveline: Failure to install the snap ring
on input shaft will allow driveline to swing freely if bolt is sheared causing
possible injury or death.
OPERATION 14 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
Fig. 3 - Driveline with shear bolt assembly.
shear bolt 1/2"-13x3.5" G2
nut 1/2"-13
snap ring
Fig. 4 - Driveline with slip clutch assembly.
bolt M12-1.25x70 C8.8
nut M12-1.25
slip clutch shield
lock washer

3.04 - Cutting Height Adjustment
WARNING: Keep hands and feet away from moving blades.
Be sure tractor engine is off, parking brake is locked, and key is removed before
making any adjustments.
Never rely on the tractor lift system. Install blocks or stands under the rotary
cutter deck to prevent it from falling.
The cutting height is the distance from the blades to the ground which is determined by
the position of the tail wheel.
The cutting height is adjusted by moving the wheel arm up or down on the height
adjustment brackets which are part of the deck (see fig. 5). Raising the wheel arm
lowers the cut.
The cutting height is adjustable from 1” to 9¼”.
IMPORTANT: Very low cutting heights should be avoided. Damaging shock loads
occur when the blades strike the ground repeatedly. This can cause damage to
the cutter.
3.05 - Pre-Operational Check
IMPORTANT: Check each of the following, carefully, prior to engaging the equipment:
1. The oil in the gearbox.
2. The wheel arm and wheel bearing have been greased.
3. The driveline cross and bearings have been greased.
OPERATION 15 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
Fig. 5 - The cutting height is adjustable by moving the wheel arm up or down
on the height adjustment brackets.

4. No wrappings or foreign objects are around the blades, rotor or driveline.
5. The blades are properly installed and the blade nuts properly torqued5.
6. All hardware is tight6.
7. The tractor, to ensure correct direction of PTO and rpm speed.
8. All safety shields and guards are in place and tightly attached.
9. No people or animals are in the work area.
DANGER: Stay clear of rotating driveline. Entanglement in rotating driveline can
cause serious injury. Disengage PTO, engage parking brake or place
transmission in “Park”, shut off the tractor and remove the key before working
around hitch, attaching or detaching driveline, making adjustments, servicing or
cleaning the machine.
3.06 - Attaching to the Tractor
Unit may be used on tractors ranging from 20 to 60 HP equipped with a standard rear
PTO and category 1 three point hitch7. Never use this rotary cutter with tractors over
60 HP.
CAUTION: Check the tractor PTO rpm and its direction of rotation to ensure that
they correspond to what is indicated on the machine.
WARNING: Disengage PTO, wait for all movement from the implement and tractor
to stop, engage parking brake or place transmission in “Park”, shut off the tractor
and remove the key before attaching the implement to the tractor.
DANGER: Tractor-implement combinations can create unstable unions with a
chance of rollover. If necessary, front weights need to be added to the tractor in
order to maintain balance. Always ensure that the tractor tire pressure is correct
according to the tractor operator’s manual.
To attach the rotary cutter to the tractor do the following:
1. Back the tractor up to the rotary cutter in order to slip the tractor hitch arms over the
pins bolted on the rotary cutter. Turn off the tractor engine. Secure the hitch arms
in place with the lynch pins. Failure to ensure a secure coupling of the
OPERATION 16 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
7See Table 2, page 31.
6See Table 1, page 30.
5See Removing or Installing Blades in section 4.03 - Blade Maintenance, for details.

implement to the tractor can cause injury and damage to the implement or
tractor.
2. Adjust the tractor sway blocks or chains to remove all side movement.
3. Attach the top link. Adjust tractor top link to allow the rotary cutter to follow the
contour of the ground. In this position the top hitch plate is able to float.
4. Install the shielded driveline to the tractor by first lining up the splines and
depressing the snap pin. Push the yoke onto the PTO shaft as far as it will go.
Release the pin and pull back slowly until the pin clicks in place8.
5. Attach the driveline chains to the tractor and to the rotary cutter to keep the driveline
protection from turning. The chains should not be too tight.
3.07 - Start Up
DANGER: The rotary cutter must always be lowered to the ground before starting
tractor engine or engaging PTO lever.
Lower the implement with the tractor rockshaft control lever until the deck is horizontal
to the ground or slightly tilted so that the front of the deck is lower than the rear. In
normal working conditions it is generally recommended to tilt the deck forward by 1” to
2” so that the blades cut material only at the front of the deck. This cutting position will
prolong the life of the blades and to use less horsepower throughout the operation.
If, instead, a better shredding of the material is desired, level the deck horizontal or
slightly raise the front of the deck so that the front is higher than the rear.
If the cutting height is not correct, change the setting using the tail wheel9.
With the engine idling, slowly engage the PTO drive. Move the throttle lever until the
PTO speed indicated on the cutter is obtained. The machine is normally set for a PTO
speed of 540 rpm.
Shift the transmission to a slow speed gear and start forward, increase the ground
speed by shifting upward until the desired speed is obtained. Do not mow in reverse
unless absolutely necessary and only after careful observation of the area behind the
rotary cutter.
CAUTION: Do not operate this rotary cutter at a PTO speed or direction of rotation
other than that shown on the rotary cutter. Serious damage can occur to the
machine and/or the operator.
OPERATION 17 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
9See Section 3.04 - Cutting Height Adjustment.
8See Section 3.03 - Assembly Instructions, for proper installation of the driveline to the rotary
cutter.

Before starting to mow, never forget that the operator is responsible for the following:
1. Safe and correct driving of the tractor and rotary cutter.
2. To learn precise safe operating procedures for both the tractor and the rotary cutter.
3. To ensure all maintenance and lubrication has been performed on the rotary cutter.
4. To have read and understood all safety aspects for the rotary cutter in the operator’s
manual.
5. To have read and understood all safety decals on the rotary cutter.
6. Checking the condition of the blades. Worn or damaged blades should be changed
before starting10.
7. Checking to ensure that the cutting edge is the leading edge of the blade.
8. Checking that there is no wire, weed, grass or other material wrapped around
blades.
9. Checking to see if front weights need to be added to the tractor in order to maintain
balance.
10.Checking the tractor tires for the proper pressure in accordance with the tractor
operator’s manual.
11.Checking that the driveline shield, the metal slip clutch shield - if the driveline
is equipped with a slip clutch safety and all other shielding are on the machine
and securely in place.
12.Making sure the proper attire is worn. Avoiding loose fitting clothing which can
become entangled. Wearing sturdy, tough-soled work shoes and protective
equipment for eyes, hands, ears and head. Never operate tractor or implement
barefoot, or wearing sandals or sneakers.
13.Checking area for stones, branches and other debris that might be thrown.
14.Ensuring proper lighting is available, sunlight or good artificial lighting.
3.08 - Working Speed
The mowing speed depends on ground conditions, tractor HP, mowing height and grass
thickness. Only a test run will enable you to gauge the optimal working speed for your
conditions. Under most conditions a 2 to 6 mph ground speed is best. In order to obtain
the best cut possible, always keep the tractor rpm up to the speed indicated on the
rotary cutter. When increasing or decreasing mowing ground speed, always use gear
selection, not engine speed. This will maintain the constant maximum blade speed
necessary for a clean cut.
WARNING: Never operate without all shields on the machine and securely in
place. The cutter blades can throw objects hundreds of feet which could result in
personal or property damage. Pick up all rocks and other debris before mowing.
Enter new areas carefully. Cut grass higher at first, allowing the machine to clear
hidden objects.
OPERATION 18 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL
10 See Section 4.03 - Blade Maintenance.

CAUTION: For emergency reasons learn how to stop the tractor and cutter
quickly. On the rotary cutter always disengage the PTO, lock parking brake, stop
engine and allow the blades to come to a complete stop before dismounting the
tractor.
3.09 - Uneven Terrain
DANGER: Be careful of rollover when operating tractor and rotary cutter over
uneven ground.
The following precautions should always be observed when working on uneven terrain:
1. In extremely uneven terrain rear wheel weights, front tractor weights, and/or tire
ballast should be used to improve stability.
2. Observe the type of terrain and develop a safe working pattern.
3. Whenever traction or stability is doubtful, first test drive over the terrain with the PTO
disengaged.
4. Operate the implement up and down steep slopes, not across slopes, to prevent the
tractor from tipping. Avoid sudden stops and starts, and slow down before changing
directions on a slope.
5. Pass diagonally through sharp dips and avoid sharp drops to prevent hanging up the
tractor and implement.
6. Slow down on sharp turns and slopes to prevent tipping or loss of control.
7. Avoid tipping the mower while cutting.
8. Watch for holes, roots or other hidden objects. Do not use near the edge of a gully,
ditch or stream bank.
3.10 - Removing Rotary Cutter from the Tractor
CAUTION: Disengage tractor PTO. Set parking brake. Stop engine and remove
key from ignition. Disconnect rotary cutter driveline from tractor PTO shaft.
Collapse driveline and store in appropriate place. Disconnect three point linkage
and carefully drive tractor away from rotary cutter.
3.11 - Transport
Before raising the rotary cutter for transport, the tractor top link must be adjusted so
when lifted, the rear of the machine is higher than the front (the mower’s nose is tilted
OPERATION 19 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL

downward). To do this, shorten the tractor top link until the top hitch plate is locked
forward and no longer able to pivot. This will keep the rotary cutter locked in position
and minimize the shaking and bouncing during transport which can damage the hitch or
frame.
CAUTION: Make sure PTO is disengaged and blades have stopped turning before
raising rotary cutter to full transport position. Do not tow tractor and rotary cutter
behind other vehicles. Use a properly equipped trailer with heavy tie-downs for
towing operations.
Before transporting:
1. Always select a safe ground speed that is appropriate for the terrain.
2. Beware of traffic on public roads. Install a SMV (Slow Moving Vehicle) sign when
traveling on roads or streets. Comply with all federal, state and local laws.
3. Reduce ground speed when turning and take care that the implement does not strike
obstacles such as trees, fences or buildings.
4. Always disengage PTO before raising the implement to transport position.
5. When raising the mower be sure the PTO driveline does not hit either the mower or
the tractor.
6. During transport the mower should not be lifted over 14”-16” from the ground.
OPERATION 20 BEFCO
TORNADO RSD & RRB OPERATOR’SMANUAL