MacDon 873 Combine Adapter - Manual (Page 20)

Form # 147069 Issue 09/06 18
• 0 GAP FOR CUTTING ABOVE GROUND
• ALIGN FLOAT ARM WITH NOTCH FOR
CUTTING ON GROUND (1/2” GAP)
D
A
OPERATION
963/972/973 HEADER FLOTATION
NOTE: For float adjustment when working
with the 974 Flex Header, see the Header
Operator’s Manual.
IMPORTANT: Set header float as light as
possible without causing excessive bouncing.
This avoids:
- frequent breakage of sickle components
- scooping soil
- soil build-up at cutterbar in wet conditions,
To check header float:
1. Raise feeder house and engage lift
cylinder stops.
2. Move handle down to engage float as
shown at (E), both sides. If pin is tight, extend
top link to free it up.
3. Set top link to mid-range length (19-1/4”) (490 mm).
4. Disengage lift cylinder stops and lower header
so the cutterbar is 1 to 6 inches (25 to 150 mm)
above the ground.
5. With cutterbar 1 to 6 inches (25 to 150 mm)
above the ground, grasp the crop divider rod and
lift up. Under normal conditions, when cutting
above the ground, it should require about 50 - 70
lbs. force (225 - 315 N) to lift divider at either
end. Cutting on the ground requires lighter float,
approximately 30 lbs. (135 N) at each divider
point.
TIPS:
• For cereal grain crops where you will be
working with cutterbar off ground, float
arm should be touching down stop at (A).
• For soybeans or other crops where you
will be working with cutterbar on
ground, gap between float arm and
down stop should be 1/2” (13 mm) as
illustrated. Notch (D) is provided as an
alignment aid for this setting.
See next page for operating tips when
cutting on the ground:
To adjust header float:
1. Raise feeder house and engage lift cylinder
stops.
2. Loosen jam nuts (B), two per side.
3. Tighten bolts (C) at both sides of adapter to
increase float (which makes header lighter
when lowered to ground).
Loosen bolts to decrease float (which makes
header heavier when lowered).
4. Tighten jam nuts (B).
NOTE: Once float is set, float lockout is engaged
by raising handle as high as possible, then
aligning the closest hole for installation of pin. The
float lock-out position shown above is “as
shipped”. This position is only necessary when
adapter is being removed from header (or installed
in header).
FLOAT LOCKOUT FLOAT ENGAGED
ADAPTER FLOAT
E
FLOAT ADJUSTMENT
B
C