DR 372111, Safety & Operating Instructions Manual

Page: 26 / 44

26 3-POINT HITCH
DR
® SELF-FEEDING™ CHIPPER
After any Knife or Wear Plate maintenance or adjustment, rotate the Chipper flywheel by using a wooden stick and watch and
listen carefully for any unusual noises, clicking or vibration. If you detect any of these, inspect the machine for damage, or any
loose parts. Repair or replace any damaged parts and tighten any loose parts before starting the DR SELF-FEEDING Chipper.
Be careful not to overheat the Wear Plate during the sharpening process. This will change the characteristics of the steel and
could cause damage to the machine. Replace the Wear Plate if it has been overheated.
Checking and Adjusting the Knife to Wear Plate Gap
When you replace the Knife or Wear Plate you must check and set the clearance between the Knife and Wear Plate. Set this
clearance or gap to 1/16" by using the Gap Tool that is supplied with the Chipper and with a new Knife kit. If the gap between the
Wear Plate and the Knife is not set correctly, you will have excessive vibration when chipping and the Knife will seem to be dull.
The Wear Plate should have a square edge and be free of dents or gouges. The Wear Plate can be hand sharpened (see steps in
this Chapter).
Tools Needed:

7/16" Wrench

Gap Gauge (provided with Chipper and with new Knife Kits)
1. Remove the Hopper (See “Inspecting the Chipper Knife and Wear Plate” in
this Chapter).
2. Use a stick to rotate the Flywheel until the Knife can be positioned next to
the Wear Plate.
3. Slide the Knife Gauge in between the Knife and Wear Plate to check the
clearance
(Figure 41).

If the Knife Gauge slides freely, with no resistance and extra space,
the Wear plate must be adjusted.

If the Knife Gauge will not slide down between the Knife and Wear
Plate, the Wear Plate must be adjusted.

If the Knife Gauge slides in between the Knife and Wear Plate with
some resistance felt against them both then the Wear plate is
properly adjusted.
4. To adjust the Wear Plate Gap, loosen the three Nuts on the Carriage Bolts
with a 7/16" Wrench just enough so the Wear Plate will move but still have a
slight resistance. Now you can slide the Wear Plate up or down (in or out)
to achieve the correct gap setting.
Note: See Figure 42 for a more detailed look at the relationship of the Knife to Wear
Plate.
5. Take the Gap Gauge and slide it between the Knife and Wear Plate. Adjust
the Wear Plate against the Knife Gauge and tighten the Locknuts.
6. Check the adjustment using the Gap Gauge.
7. Install the Hopper and Access Cover when finished.
8. Re-connect the negative battery terminal wire (electric start only) and the
spark plug wire.
1/16" Gap
(thickness of
Gap Gauge)
Figure 42
Chipper
Knife
Wear
Plate
Flywheel
Knife Gap Gauge
Figure 41
Knife
Wear Plate
Carriage Bolt
and Locknut