Service - Cutting Units

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Before dismounting to unplug or service cutting units:

· STOP the machine.

· DISENGAGE reel drive by moving the Mow/Transport lever to the Transport position.

· LOWER cutting units to the ground.

· LOCK the park brake.

· STOP the engine.

· Remove key.

· Wait for reels and all moving parts to STOP.

Blocked or stalled cutting cylinders:

· Keep all parts of the body away from the cutting edges. Residual hydraulic pressure in the system can cause cutting cylinder rotation when the blockage is released.

Removing and Installing Cutting Units

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help avoid serious personal injury. Wear protective gloves when handling cutting units with sharp blades.

Removing Cutting Units

1. Park greensmower on a hard, level surface.

2. Stop engine and engage park brake.

3. Disconnect lift chain (A).

M97294, M97322

Picture Note: Photo shows front left cutting unit.

· Remove spring locking pin (B) and flat washer (C).

· Remove chain from lift arm pin.

4. Disconnect yoke (D) from lift arm (E).

M97293

· Remove quick-lock pin (F).

· Roll cutting unit forward away from lift arm.

5. Remove hydraulic motor (G).

M97291

· Loosen locking assembly hardware (H).

· Rotate motor from reel bearing housing slots (I).

6. Inspect inside of reel bearing housing (J) for grease. Add John Deere Special Purpose HD Cornhead Grease to housing if additional lubrication is needed.

M97290, M97289

7. Check splined motor/reel coupling (K) for wear. Replace if necessary. Make sure coupling is lubricated with grease and remains in position on reel shaft.

8. Repeat procedure for other cutting units if necessary.

Installing Cutting Units

NOTE: Center cutting unit has the upstop bracket. Right front cutting unit has the steering limiter bracket.

1. Install hydraulic motor (G) onto the reel bearing housing.

M97291

· Align splined reel coupling with splined motor drive shaft.

· Align locking assembly hardware with reel bearing housing slots (I).

· Tighten assembly locknuts (H).

NOTE: Yoke with steering limiter bracket must be installed to the right front cutting unit.

2. Install yoke (D) to lift arm (E).

M97293

· Align yoke pin and lift arm mounting holes.

· Fasten cutting reel in position with quick-lock pin (F).

NOTE: The lift chain has nine links. Assemble seventh link onto lift arm pin.

3. Install lift chain (A) onto lift arm pin.

M97322

· Install flat washer (C) and spring locking pin (B).

· Make sure chain is not kinked.

4. Repeat procedure for other cutting units if necessary.

Removing Cutting Unit Yokes

NOTE: When performing some service and operational procedures it may be desirable to remove the cutting unit yokes.

1. Remove flange head bolt (A), lock nut (B) and two pivot bushings (C) from each end of cutting unit yoke.

M97280

2. Install in reverse order of removal.

NOTE: Yoke with steering limiter bracket must be installed to the right front cutting unit.

Removing and Installing Front Roller

Removing Front Roller

1. Remove cutting unit from greensmower. (See Removing and Installing Cutting Units in this section.)

2. Position cutting unit upright on a flat surface or workbench.

3. Loosen and remove hardware from left roller bracket.

M97008

· Remove flange nut (A) and carriage bolt from lower hole.

· Remove lock nut (B), eccentric adjuster (C), serrated washer (D) and carriage bolt.

4. Loosen and remove hardware from right roller bracket.

M97009

· Remove flange nuts (E) and carriage bolts.

5. Remove roller and bracket assembly from cutting unit frame.

6. Remove roller brackets.

M97009

Picture Note: Photo shows left roller bracket being removed.

· Loosen jam nut (F) and set screw (G).

· Remove bracket (H) from each bearing spindle shaft end.

7. Replace roller.

Installing Front Roller

NOTE: Roller brackets are offset. For standard use, the bracket should be installed to the roller with the offset to the rear of the base cutting unit to allow close proximity of front roller to rear roller. If Greens Tender Conditioner (GTC) is being installed, offset should be to the front to allow the GTC to be installed behind the front roller.

Install the roller bracket with the larger holes and adjustment slot on the left side of the cutting unit, in the direction of travel.

The roller bearing spindle shaft has holes drilled in each end. DO NOT tighten set screws near the holes.

1. Install roller brackets (A) onto each bearing spindle shaft end.

M97007

Picture Note: Photo shows left roller bracket being installed.

· Install set screws (B) and lock nuts (C) loosely. DO NOT tighten.

2. Select Height-of-Cut (HOC) adjustment range.

M96838d

· Alignment of roller bracket (A) and cutting unit frame (D) adjustment holes will determine HOC adjustment range.

· Refer to chart for desired setting.


Height of Cut		Roller Bracket Hole	Cutting Unit Frame Hole
Millimeters	Inches	Roller Bracket Hole	Cutting Unit Frame Hole
0-9.53	0-3/8	Top (E)	Top (G)
6.35-15.88	1/4-5/8	Bottom (F)	Bottom (I)
12.70-22.23	1/2-7/8	Top (E)	Middle (H)
0-6.53¹	0-1/4	Bottom (F)	Middle (H)

This setting is used when the diameter of the cutting reel has worn down to 120 mm (4.7") or less.

3. Install front roller and roller bracket assembly.

· Slide assembly roller brackets (A) into cutting unit frame slots.

· Align selected HOC adjustment holes.

NOTE: Install carriage bolts from the inside.

· Fasten bottom of LEFT roller bracket to frame using one M8 x 20 carriage bolt and one M8 flange nut (E).

M97008

Picture Note: Top photo shows installation of left roller bracket.

NOTE: Install serrated washer with cupped side facing cutting unit frame.

· Fasten top of LEFT roller bracket to frame using one M8 x 40 carriage bolt, one serrated washer (F), one eccentric adjuster (G) and one M8 lock nut (H).

· Fasten RIGHT roller bracket to frame using two M8 x 20 carriage bolts and two M8 flange nuts (I).

M97009

Picture Note: Bottom photo shows installation of right roller bracket.

· Tighten roller bracket attaching hardware.

NOTE: Make sure the roller bracket set screw locations are not aligned with the holes in each bearing spindle shaft end. Set screws must engage the bearing spindle shaft at each end.

· Center front roller. Tighten set screws (B) and jam nuts (C) on both roller brackets.

4. Adjust front roller for parallelism (See Adjust Front Roller Parallel with Bed Knife in the
Operating-Cutting Units section.)

5. Adjust height-of-cut. (See Adjust Height of Cut in the Operating-Cutting Units section.)

Removing and Installing Rear Roller

Removing Rear Roller

1. Remove cutting unit from greensmower. (See Removing and Installing Cutting Units in this section.)

2. Position cutting unit on a flat surface or workbench.

M97426

3. On each side of rear roller, loosen jam nut (A) and set screw (B).

M97427

4. Loosen jam nut (C) on each adjuster tower.

5. Remove carriage bolt (D), flat washer (E) and lock nut (F) attaching each height-of-cut (HOC) adjustment bracket (G) to the cutting unit frame.

6. Move height-of-cut (HOC) brackets (G) away from each bearing spindle shaft end.

M97428

7. Remove rear roller (H).

Installing Rear Roller

1. Install roller bearing spindle shafts (A) into each height-of-cut (HOC) bracket (B).

M97429

2. Attach both height-of-cut brackets to cutting unit frame.

NOTE: Install carriage bolts from the inside.

· Install carriage bolt (C), flat washer (D) and lock nut (E).

· Tighten hardware.

3. Center rear roller (F) inside HOC brackets.

4. Tighten set screws (G) and jam nuts (H).

5. Loosen lock nuts (E) approximately 1/4 turn.

6. Tighten jam nut (I) on each adjuster tower.

7. Tighten lock nuts (E).

8. Adjust height-of-cut. (See Adjust Height of Cut in the Operating-Cutting Units section.)

Replacing Bed Knife

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help avoid serious personal injury. Bed knives and cutting reels are sharp. Always wear gloves when performing this service function.

Removing Bed Knife

1. Remove cutting unit from greensmower. (See Removing and Installing Cutting Units in this section.)

2. Position cutting unit on a flat surface or workbench.

M97412, M97411

3. Relieve tension from bed knife tension springs on both sides of cutting unit.

· Turn jam nuts (A) counterclockwise until springs are completely compressed.

4. Loosen each adjuster (B).

5. Rotate each adjustment assembly away from reel housing bracket (C).

M97413

6. Position cutting unit on flat surface or workbench as shown.

7. Remove shoulder bolt (D) from each end of cutting unit.

M97414

8. Slide bed knife assembly (E) out of the cutting unit housing.

M97415

NOTE: Remove debris, corrosion, and rust from bottom surface of bed knife support.

9. Install new bed knife.

· Remove and discard thirteen screws attaching bed knife to assembly support. Discard bed knife.

· Install bed knife using new screws. Alternate tightening by starting with center screws.

10. Put bed knife support and bed knife in a suitable grinder and grind until material is removed from the entire top surface of the bed knife lip. (See Grinding the Bed Knife in this section.)

Installing Bed Knife

1. Slide bed knife and support assembly (E) into position inside locator shoe (F).

M97418

2. Install both shoulder bolts (D).

· Tighten hardware to 55 N·m (40 lb-ft).

3. Position cutting unit on flat surface or workbench.

4. Install each adjustment assembly inside housing mounting bracket.

M97419

· Restore bed knife spring tension by turning jam nuts (A) clockwise. Turn jam nuts only midway up the threaded adjustment.

5. Adjust bed knife-to-reel. (See Adjusting
Bed Knife-to Reel in Operating-Cutting Units section.)

6. Set height-of-cut. (See Adjusting Height-Of-Cut in Operating -Cutting Units section.)

7. Backlap reel. (See Backlapping Cutting Units in this section.)

8. Check height-of-cut and adjust as necessary. (See Adjusting Height-Of-Cut in Operating - Cutting Units section.)

Grinding the Bed Knife

NOTE: Bed knife and support assembly can be ground as a complete unit.

When grinding the bed knife, it is important to have a 6.5° relief angle on the top surface (A) and a 5° relief angle on the front surface (B).

M47199

Adjusting Cutting Unit Shield

NOTE: Keeping the shield close to the cutting blades improves the performance of the grass catcher in most conditions.

1. Loosen two bolts (A) and lock nuts on each side of cutting unit.

M97430

2. Raise or lower shield to desired position.

· Maintain an approximate 1.5 mm (0.06 in.) clearance between the bottom of the shield and the top of the cutting blades.

3. Tighten bolts.

Backlapping Cutting Units

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Disengage GREENS AND TURF CONDITIONER before backlapping.

Avoid injury from rotating blades. Keep hands and feet away while greensmower is running.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Backlapping cutting units should be done by trained personnel on a routine basis approximately every 25 hours. Backlap intervals will vary depending on conditions. Backlapping is done to prolong reel life, prevent downtime and provide a consistently sharp cutting action.

NOTE: To help maintain sharp edges required on cutting reels, bed knife-to-reel clearance should be checked before the backlapping function begins. The bed knife must be adjusted properly to ensure light, even contact over the length of the cutting blades.

Cutting reels are all backlapped at the same time.

1. Check bed knife-to-reel clearance on all three cutting reels. Adjust if necessary. (See Adjusting Bed Knife-To-Reel in the Operating-Cutting Units section.)

2. Operator on seat.

3. Move mow/transport lever to the TRANSPORT ) position.

4. Lock park brake.

5. Lower cutting units to the ground.

NOTE: Operator must be off the seat for the backlapping valve to function.

6. Operator off seat.

7. Open service access panel (A) below operator seat platform.

M97408

8. Locate backlapping valve (B) to the left of the battery.

M97409

9. Start engine.

· Position throttle lever between mid-range ) and SLOW ) idle.

10. Adjust reel speed.

M97405

· Turn reel speed control knob (B) clockwise until indicator (C) is aligned with a number between "1" and "3".

NOTE: Forward/Reverse control knob must be pulled up completely past first detent for the backlapping valve to function properly.

11. Engage backlapping valve.

· Pull Forward/Reverse control knob (D) UP until a click is heard.

12. Move the Mow/Transport lever to MOW ) position.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Avoid injury from rotating blades. Keep hands and feet away while greensmower is operating.

13. Activate Raise/Lower lever.

· Move and hold lever forward.

· When cutting reels begin turning in REVERSE, release lever.

NOTE: Adjust reel speed slow enough so reel sharpening compound is not thrown off during the backlapping procedure.

14. Using a LONG HANDLED BRUSH, carefully apply reel sharpening compound, uniformly, from one end of the cutting reel to the other. Repeat application in opposite direction. Allow cutting reel to continue running backwards until reel is quiet.

M79054

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! DO NOT attempt to disengage the cutting units using the reel speed control knob. This is not a shut-off valve. Reels may turn if engine is running.

15. Periodically disengage cutting units by moving the Mow/Transport lever to the TRANSPORT )position and turn key switch to the "STOP" position. Visually check blade appearance.

NOTE: Forward/Reverse control knob must be pushed down to restart engine.

· Check for uniform clearance across entire bed knife. If clearance is not uniform, repeat backlapping procedure until clearance is uniform across entire bed knife.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not operate cutting reels in the forward direction until reel sharpening compound is washed from the unit. Unless properly washed, the reels can be dulled by the compound.

16. Use water to thoroughly wash off all reel sharpening compound while cutting reels are turning in reverse.

17. Move Mow/Transport lever to the TRANSPORT ) position.

18. Push down Forward/Reverse control knob.

19. Adjust cutting reels to desired operating speed. (See Adjusting Cutting Reel Speed in the Operating -Cutting Units section.)

Introduction

Safety Signs

Controls

Operating Machine

Operating Cutting Units

Replacement Parts

Service Machine Safely

Service Interval Chart

Service Lubrication

Service Engine Gas Units

Service Engine Diesel Units

Service Hydraulics & Transmission