GREAT PLAINS RC4015, Operator'S Manual

Page: 42 / 60

40
Section 5: Maintenance & Lubrication
RC4015 & RCM4015 Rotary Cutters 334-300M 9/19/16
Table of Contents
Spindle Gearbox Shaft Guard
Refer to Figure 1-11:
1. To remove shaft guard (#1) at the spindle gearbox,
unsnap latches (#2) on both sides of guard (#1) and
slide shaft guard over driveline to expose driveline
yoke. Do not unhook safety chain (#3).
2. When servicing of driveline yoke is completed, return
shaft guard to its original position and secure with
latches (#2).
3. Check safety chain (#3). Make sure it is latched to
shaft guard mounting plate (#4) and shaft guard (#1).
Gearbox Shaft Guard
Figure 5-5
37618
Cutter Blade Maintenance
!
DANGER
Always disconnect main driveline from tractor PTO before
servicing underside of cutter. PTO can be engaged if tractor is
started causing cutter damage, bodily injury or death.
!
DANGER
Always secure cutter deck in the up position with solid
supports before servicing underside of cutter. Never work
under equipment supported by hydraulics. Hydraulics can
drop equipment if controls are actuated or if hydraulic lines
burst. Either situation can drop the cutter instantly even when
power to the hydraulics is shut off.
!
WARNING
Do not operate cutter with blades that are bent, out-of-
balance, excessively worn, excessively nicked, or with blade
bolts that are excessively worn. Such blades can break loose
from the cutter at high speeds causing serious injury or death.
!
WARNING
Do not attempt to straighten a bent blade or weld on a blade.
Do not attempt to modify a blade such as hard surfacing, heat
treating, cold treating, or by any other method. Always
replace blades with new Great Plains blades to assure safety.
!
WARNING
Wait for blades to come to a complete stop before accessing
blade bolts through blade bolt access hole.
!
CAUTION
ALWAYS wear gloves and eye protection while inspecting,
removing, sharpening, and replacing cutter blades.
Always inspect cutting blades before each use. Make
certain they are properly installed and in good working
condition. Replace any blade that is damaged, worn,
bent, or excessively nicked. Never try to straighten a bent
blade! Small nicks can be ground out when sharpening.
Refer to Figure 5-6 on page 41 when ordering Great
Plains replacement blade components.
IMPORTANT: Cutting blades must be replaced in
mating pairs. Not replacing both blades will result in
an out-of-balance condition that will contribute to
premature bearing breakdown on the spindle hub
and create structural cracks in the cutter housing.