Header operation operating variables (continued) – MacDon 963 Harvest Header User Manual

Page 25

HEADER OPERATION

Operating Variables (continued)

REEL SPEED

•

Reel speed affects the smoothness and evenness of the delivered crop. Operating the reel too fast or too

slow relative to ground speed will cause bunching.

•

In standing crop, reel speed should be just faster than ground speed, sweeping crop across the sickle.

•

A faster reel speed may be necessary in leaning or down crop.

•

Excessive shattering of grain heads or crop loss over the header back tube may be indications that reel

speed is too fast.

REEL HEIGHT

•

In standing crop, adjust reel height so bat contacts the plants just below the head, and carries material

through the sickle onto the drapers.

•

Down crop may require a lower reel height to wipe crop off the sickle.

•

Bushy crop may require raising the reel to prevent unevenness in delivery.

•

Indications that reel may be too low are crop loss over the header back tube, or disturbance of crop on the

drapers by the reel bats.

•

For reel clearance to cutterbar adjustment, see Maintenance/Service section, page 49.

REEL POSITION - FORE & AFT

Reel fore-aft position can be adjusted to suit

various crop conditions:

•

For straight standing crop, the reel position is

normally centered above the cutterbar.

•

For crops that are down, tangled, or leaning,

move reel ahead of cutterbar.

•

Disturbance of crop on the drapers by the reel

bats may be an indication that the reel is too

far back.

To adjust reel fore-aft position:

1. Lower reel so support arms are horizontal.

2. Back off jam nut on positioning screw (A) at

each arm.

3. Loosen screw (A) and slide reel mounting

channel (B). Pry bar may be used at hole (C).

4. Tighten screw into selected hole position and

secure with jam nut.

5. Be sure screw is in the same hole at each arm.

6. Check reel clearance to cutterbar. See

Maintenance/Service section.

NOTE: If reel fore-aft position is changed by more

than two holes, check and adjust header flotation.

NOTE: For 36' center arm, positioning screw is on

top of mounting channel. (There is no jam nut on

positioning screw at center arm.)

REEL FORE-AFT POSITION ADJUSTMENT