Buckets
The blades when out of gear will still spin there is no brake on the blades like other machines.
The height I think is ok.
With the way you are operating it, if you are going back wards and forwards I just would shuttle it forward and reverse in first or second. When going down hill have it in neutral or low gear if you get into trouble just bang it in reverse. I know it sounds rough but I've never had any issues with the gearbox. You can also have it in neutral and ride the brakes.
Any way they are a fantastic machine built well and great for slashing, as you mention great top speed, not that you use it very often, we found ours a bit under powered and it would be nice to have 15hp but I guess the engine as a bit tired!
You have done a great job cleaning the old girl up well done
Cheers
Mick
