Align Knife Head and Knife Drive

Efficient cutting performance requires good cutting edge and proper component alignment.

Proper knife head and knife drive alignment is critical in achieving effective cutting performance and drive durability. Improper alignment can cause knife binding at first guard during knife strokes resulting in: heat build up, accelerated wear, and high knife loads. Those factors greatly affect the life of knife.

NOTE: Knife alignment shown on left-hand side. Right-hand side similar.

1. 
   H93478-UN-20FEB09

   A - Lift Cylinder Safety Stop

   Raise reel completely and engage safety stops (A) on reel lift cylinders.

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2. Support platform with wood blocks under front of frame and under ends of platform behind skid shoes.

3. Shut OFF engine, set parking brake, and remove key.

4. Open left-hand side shield and remove left-hand divider.

5. 
   H72562-UN-25JUN02

   A - Gap

   B - Gap (Two Locations)

   C - Knife Back

   Visually inspect gaps (A and B) of knife section in first guard slot and knife back (C) fore and aft position in guard. If there is excessive contact in either location, adjust knife head and knife drive alignment.

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6. 
   H103446-UN-16SEP11

   A - Knife Head Cap Screw

   Loosen knife head cap screw (A).

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7. 
   H103445-UN-16SEP11

   
   H64729-UN-25AUG00

   A - Knife Head

   B - Bearing Shield

   C - Gap

   D - Gap (Two Locations)

   E - Knife Back

   Set vertical position and angle of knife head (A) so cutting surface is centered in guard slot and is parallel to bottom of guard slot at (C).

   NOTE: Make sure knife head (A) does not contact bearing shield (B).

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8. Check fore and aft gap distance (D) at both locations between knife back (E) and first guard to ensure a gap exists. If there is not an equal gap on fore and aft, proceed to reposition knife gearbox, reset vertical position, and angle of knife section.

9. 
   H103447-UN-16SEP11

   A - Gearbox Mounting Hardware

   Loosen gearbox mounting hardware (A).

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10. Using rubber mallet, tap gearbox forward or rearward as necessary to set the proper fore and aft gap.

11. Tighten gearbox mounting hardware to specification.

    Item	Measurement	Specification
    Mounting Hardware	Torque	130 N·m (96 lb.-ft.)

12. 
    H103445-UN-16SEP11

    A - Knife Head

    B - Bearing Shield

    Reset vertical position and angle of knife head (A), check clearance of bearing shield (B), and recheck all clearances. Repeat procedure until proper clearance is achieved.

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13. NOTE: While tightening cap screw to specification use pry bar to avoid twisting of cutterbar head and loss of knife head settings.

    
    H103446-UN-16SEP11

    A - Knife Head Cap Screw

    Tighten cap screw (A) to specification.

    Item	Measurement	Specification
    Knife Head Cap Screw	Torque	130 N·m (96 lb-ft)

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14. Verify knife section is still properly positioned in first guard slot after knife head cap screw is fully tightened.

15. 
    H93103-UN-16APR09

    A - Knife Drive Shaft

    Rotate knife drive shaft (A) making sure there is no binding of cutterbar head, knife sections, or knife shields. If binding occurs repeat adjusting steps.

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16. Close side shield and install divider.