Jacobsen Eclipse 322, Repair Manual

Page: 282 / 336

6-16 4222983 Second Edition
CUTTING UNITS
6
Checks and Adjustments
Bedknife-to-Reel Clearance
Adjustment
See Figures 6-2 through 6-4.

CAUTION
1. Park the mower safely. (See “Park Mower Safely” on
page 1-6.)
Figure 6-2
NOTE
Clearance between the bedknife (4) and reel (3) should
be checked with a feeler gauge (1). Slide the feeler
gauge between the bedknife and reel. There should be a
slight drag on the feeler gauge. Do not turn the reel while
making the check. Clearance should be checked at the
outer ends of the reel, then at the inner set of spiders (2),
and then in the middle.
Figure 6-3
NOTE
The bedknife-to-reel adjustment should be made by
starting with the leading end of the reel (5) and following
with the trailing end (6). The leading end of the reel blade
is that end which passes over the bedknife first during
normal reel rotation.
Figure 6-4
2. Adjust bedknife-to-reel gap to 0.001–0.003 in.
(0.025–0.075 mm) between the reel blade and
bedknife using the upper adjuster (7) and the lower
adjuster (8) on both the leading and trailing edges of
reel.
NOTES
• The key consideration for bedknife-to-reel adjustment
is to move the adjusting screws in very small
increments.
• Keep the adjusting screws tight against the bedknife
backing for a positive clearance setting.
• Avoid aggressive tightening or damage may occur to
bedknife and reel blades.
• Poor bedknife to reel adjustment will occur if one
screw is loosened too much and the other screw is
brought in.
• Inconsistent bedknife to reel clearance settings will
occur when opposing screws are at a low torque
value. Final bedknife to reel setting “tweaks” may be
done on the appropriate (single) opposing screw.
Final “tweaks” must always be a tightening of the
screw.
• When the reel and bedknife are properly adjusted,
the reel will spin freely and will cut a piece of
newspaper along the full length of the reel when the
paper is held at 90° to the bedknife.
To prevent personal injury and damage to the
cutting edges, handle the reel with extreme care.
TN2588
1
4
3
2
TN2558
6
5
TN0893
7
8