Tar River ERC Guide

Round Back Rotary Cutter (ERC)
OPERATION AND PARTS MANUAL
Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product
described herein.
12/2020

1
TO THE CUSTOMER
This manual contains valuable information about your new mower. It has been
carefully prepared to give you helpful suggestions for operating, adjusting, and
servicing.
Keep this manual in a convenient place for quick and easy reference. Study it
carefully, only by proper care and operation you can expect to receive the
service.
It is the owner’s and/or operator’s responsibility to…
·Read and understand the information contained in this manual.
·Operate, lubricate, assemble and maintain the equipment in accordance with
all instructions and safety procedures in this manual.
·Inspect the equipment and replace or repair any parts that are damaged or
worn which could cause damage, wear to other parts, or cause a safety
hazard.
CONTENTS
ITEM PAGE
Safety.........................................................................................................2
Equipment Safety Guidelines ..................................................................3
Before Operating....................................................................................... 4
Preparation................................................................................................5
Starting and Stopping Safety.................................................................. 5
Transportation Safety............................................................................... 8
Attaching To Tractor.....................................................................................9
Cutting Height Adjustment...................................................................... 10
Operation Instruction ............................................................................... 11
Maintenance..............................................................................................12
Maintenance and Storage Safety.............................................................13
Safety Decals and Locations ....................................................................14
Troubleshooting Guide ............................................................................ 15
Diagram and Parts List..............................................................................18

2
SAFETY
READ AND FOLLOW THE
INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL,
ESPECIALLY IN THE SAFETY
SECTION. FAILURE TO DO SO
COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH.
TAKE NOTE! THIS SAFETY ALERT
SYMBOL IS FOUND THROUGHOUT
THIS MANUAL. THIS SYMBOL IS
USED TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION THIS SYMBOL MEANS
TO INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING ATTENTIONS
YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND BE ON THE ALERT!
THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
CRITICAL TERMS:
The critical terms DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION are used with the
safety messages in this manual and with each safety decal. They are
defined as follows:
DANGER: Indicates an immediate hazardous situation, if not avoided, that
could result in serious injury or death. This Critical Term is to be limited
to the most extreme situations, typicallyfor machine components that, for
functional purposes, can’t be guarded.
WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, if not avoided, that
could result in serious injury or death, 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, if not avoided, that
may result in minor or moderate injury.It also may be used to alert against
unsafe practices.

3
EQUIPMENT SAFETY GUIDELINES
• Safety of the operator and bystanders is one of the main concerns in designing
and developing a mower. However, every year accidents occur which could
have been avoided by a few moments of thought and a more careful approach
to handling equipment. You, the operator, can avoid many accidents by
observing the following precautions and insist those working with or for you
adhere tothem.
• In order to provide a better view, certain illustrations in this manual may show
an assembly with a safety guard removed. However, equipment should never
be operated in this condition. Keep all guards in place. If guard removal
becomes necessary for repairs, reinstall the guard prior to use.
• Replace any safety decal that is not legible or is missing. The locations of
such safety decals are indicated in thismanual.
• Never operate this equipment while using alcoholic beverages or drugs that
can hinder alertness or coordination. Consult your doctor about operating this
machine while taking prescription medications.
• Under no circumstances should children under the age of 18 be allowed
to work with or around this equipment. Do not allow anyone to operate
or assemble this equipment until they have read this manual and have
developed a thorough understanding of the safety precautions and
operation. Review safety instructions with all users annually.
• This equipment is dangerous to children and anyone unfamiliar with its
operation.The operator should be a responsible, properly qualified, and
physically able person familiar with farm machinery and competent in this
equipment's operation.
• Never exceed the limits of a piece of machinery. If its ability to do a job, or to
do so safely, is in question- DON'T TRY IT.
• Useatractor equipped withaRollover Protection System andseat belts.
(ROPS)
• Do not modify the equipment in any way. Unauthorized modifications could
result in serious injury or death and may impair the function and shorten the
life of the equipment.
• In addition to the design of this implement, safety decals and safety equipment,
accident prevention is dependent upon the awareness, common sense,
forethought,and proper training ofeveryone involved in the operation,transport,
maintenance,and storage of the machine. Also refer to safety messages and
operating instructions in each of the appropriate sections of the tractor manual.
Pay close attention to the safety decals affixed to the tractor and the Rotary
Cutter.

4
BEFORE PUTTING ROTARY CUTTER INTO SERVICE
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO OPERATING
MOWER SHIPPED WITHOUT OIL IN GEAR BOX AND WITHOUT GREASE
IN GREASE FITTINGS. UNIT MUST BE SERVICED BEFORE USING.
Fill Gearbox using 90W Gear Oil.
For all Grease Fittings use a high-temp/multi-purpose grease.
STEP 1 Place Rotary Cutter so that the deck is secure and level.
STEP 2 Remove the plug located at top of gearbox and 3/8” sight glass.
STEP 3 Fill gearbox using 90W Gear Oil through top fill hole until gear oil
is level with lower hole.
STEP 4 Replace both the 1/4” plug and 3/8” sight glass and clean off any
excess oil.
STEP 5 Grease the fittings on Rotary Cutter, both the U-Joints on PTO
shaft.
STEP 6 Inspect all guards to insure they are in good working order. If not,
replace before using.
STEP 7 Check all bolts and nuts to insure they are tight and secure.
CAUTION:
DO NOT overfill gearbox. This could cause damage to oil seals and can
cause permanent damage to the gearbox. This issue will not be covered
under warranty

5
PREPARATION
Never operate the tractor and mower until you have read and completely understand this
manual, the Tractor Operator’s Manual, and each of the messages found on the safety
decals on the tractor and mower.
Personal protection equipment including hardhat, safety glasses, safety shoes, and
gloves are recommended during assembly, installation, operation, adjustment,
maintenance, repairing, removal, or moving the implement. Do not wear loose fitting
clothing or jewelry and be sure to contain long hair around equipment.
PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO LOUD NOISE MAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS!
Tractors with or without mowers attached can often create enough noise to cause
permanent hearing loss. We recommend that you use hearing protection if the noise in
the operator’s position exceeds 80db. Long-term exposure to noise levels over 80db can
cause severe hearing loss. Long-term exposure to noise levels over 90db adjacent to
the operator may cause permanent total hearing loss.
NOTE: Hearing loss from loud noises (from tractors, radios, and other sources close to
the ear) is cumulative over a lifetime, with no chance of natural recovery.
Always wear your seat belt. Serious injury or even death could result from falling off the
tractor particularly during a rollover when the operator could be trapped under the ROPS
or the tractor.
Clear area to be cut of stones, branches and other debris that might be thrown causing
injury or damage.
Operate only in daylight or good artificial light.
Ensure mower is properly mounted, adjusted and in good operating condition.
Ensure that all safety guards and safety decals are properly installed and in good
condition.
STARTING AND STOPPING SAFETY
Check the tractor master guard over the PTO shaft. Make sure it is in good condition and
fastened securely to the tractor. Purchase a new guard if old guard is damaged or
missing.
All tractors that are not equipped with a “live” Power Take Off (PTO) need to be equipped
with an over-running PTO clutch. These are available through most farm equipment
stores.
NOTE: The addition of an over-running PTO clutch may change the length of the PTO
driveline required. Pay extra attention to the instructions on the PTO driveline
Installation. Be sure that the driveline system guarding is sufficient.
Mower operating power is supplied from tractor PTO. Refer to your tractor manual for
PTO engagement and disengagement instructions. Know how to stop the tractor and
mower quickly in case of an emergency.

Most accidents occur because of neglect or carelessness. Keep all assistants and
bystanders several hundred feet from the operating Rotary Cutter.
The majority the accidents involve entanglement with the driveline, injury of
bystanders by objects being thrown by the rotating blades, and operators being
knocked off of the tractor by low hanging limbs and being run over by the mower.
Accidents are most likely to occur with machines that are loaned or rented to
someone who is not familiar with a Rotary Cutter.
The Rotary Cutter is designed for use on tractors with a 540 RPM PTO.
Never allow the blade to contact objects. Cut higher at first, allowing the Rotary Cutter
to clear unseen objects. Never assume an area is clear. Always check!

7
TRANSPORT SAFETY
Always observe your state and local laws governing highway safety and
the travel of farm machinery on public roads.
The use of flashing amber lights is acceptable in most locations. However,
some locations prohibit use. Local laws should be checked for all lighting
and marking requirements.
When driving the tractor and equipment on roads or highways use
flashing amber warning lights and a slow moving vehicle (SMV)
identification emblem. Do not exceed 20 mph. Reduce speed on rough
roads and surfaces.
Plan your route to avoid heavy traffic.
Always install transport locks, pins or brackets before transporting.
Do not drink and drive.
Be a safe and courteous driver. Always yield to oncoming traffic in all
circumstances, including narrow bridges, intersections, etc. Watch for
traffic when crossing or operating in close proximity to roadways.
Turn curves and go up and down hills only at a low speed and at a gradual
steering angle. Make certain that a least 20% of the tractor’s weight is on
the front wheels to maintain safe control. Slow down on rough and/or
uneven surfaces. Always check tractor manual for proper use on slopes.
Use extreme care and maintain minimum ground speed when operating
close to ditches and/or fences. Be careful when turning sharp corners.
Never allow riders on either tractor or mower.

9
ATTACHING TO TRACTOR
STEP 1 Attach to the tractor’s three point hitch as described in the Tractor’s
Operator’s Manual.
STEP 2 Apply any multi-purpose grease to the outside of the male (inner) PTO
shaft section. Assemble PTO shaft and install attach to the Rrotary
Cutter and the tractor.
WARNING
Failure to install the retaining clip on gearbox input shaft would
allow the driveline to swing freely if the bolt is sheared causing
possible injury or death.
STEP 3 Pull the shaft on the tractor side of PTO shaft yoke to be sure it has
locked in place. Make certain PTO shaft guards are in place and good
working condition.
STEP 4 The PTO shaft guard is a non-rotating design and must be secured prior
to equipment use.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
This mower was designed to CUT PASTURE GRASS AND ROUGH AREAS UP
TO 1” IN DIAMETER. Use of your Rotary Cutter to cut any material larger than 1”
in diameter may damage the mower and void your warranty.
PRE-OPERATIONAL ADJUSTMENTS
Set tractor’s lift control stop at a position that will prevent the PTO shaft from
coming in contact with the front edge of the mower when it is at full lift.Consult
your tractor manual for instructions.
WARNING
Never stand between tractor and Rotary Mower
while backing the tractor up to the hitch

10
CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
To prevent blades from striking the ground, your Rotary Cutter should be set to
the highest position that will give you the desired cutting height. By setting your
mower up this way, you reduce blade wear and stress on the mower. Moving at
regular intervals will produce far better results than periodic mowing.
Raise your Rotary Cutter off the ground with the tractor and SECURELY BLOCK
IN POSITION. Remove M10 round head carriage bolt from adjusting bracket.
Move the A Frame up or down to desired cutting height. Reinstall M10 round
head carriage bolt and tighten to secure in position.
Note: For best results in heavier cutting conditions adjust the deck so the rear
of the mower is approximately 2” higher than the front. This method requires
less horsepower and ground speeds of approximately 3-5mph. If finer shredding
results are desired, adjust the deck to level or slightly lower in the rear. This
method will keep foliage under the deck longer resulting in finer pieces. The
down side of this method is not recommended if it takes a lot more horsepower
and very slow ground speed. This method is not recommended unless a PTO
speed of 540 RPM can be maintained.