MacDon PW8, Operator'S Manual

Page: 84 / 304

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70
Revision A
3.12 Header Operation
Satisfactory operation of the header in all situations requires making proper adjustments to suit various crops and
conditions.
Proper operation reduces crop loss and increases productivity, and proper adjustments and timely maintenance will
increase the length of service you receive from your machine.
The variables listed in Table 3.3, page 70 and detailed on the following pages will affect header performance.
You will quickly become adept at adjusting the machine to achieve the results you desire. Most of the adjustments
have been preset at the factory, but the settings can be changed to suit crop conditions.
Table 3.3 Operating Variables
Variable Refer to
Operating speed 3.12.1 Operating Speed, page 70
Auger speed Auger Speed, page 72
Stripper plates Stripper Plate Clearance, page 77
Auger position Checking Auger Position, page 72
Header height Header Height, page 79
Pick-up height Pick-Up Height, page 80
Header flotation 3.12.4 Adjusting Header Float, page 82
Hold-down position Hold-Down Position, page 84
Hold-down rod angle Adjusting Hold-Down Rod Angle, page 85
Draper belt tension - front Adjusting Front Draper Belt Tension, page 88
Draper belt tension - rear Adjusting Rear Draper Belt Tension, page 90
3.12.1 Operating Speed
Performance of the pick-up header in various crop and field conditions largely depends upon the speed at which
the drapers are turning and the forward speed of the combine.
•
If the swath is pushed ahead, the draper speed is too low and some of the crop may remain unpicked.
•
If the swath is torn apart and is pulled toward the combine header, the draper speed is too high and uneven
combine feeding will occur.
Optimum pick-up speed for most conditions generally results when the swath is always being pushed
slightly ahead.
Draper speed is adjusted from the combine cab by regulating oil flow to the pick-up hydraulic motors, typically by
using the reel speed controls for the combine. The ratio of pick-up speed to combine ground speed can be set
using the combine header controls. Refer to your combine operator
’
s manual.
IMPORTANT:
Do NOT overspeed pick-up. Overspeeding causes premature wear of drive components and adversely affects
pick-up performance.
OPERATION