MacDon R85, Operator'S Manual

Page: 98 / 188

OPERATING THE HEADER
4.7 Cutting Height
Cutting height is determined by a combination of the angle of the cutterbar/header and the optional skid shoe settings
if installed. Cutting height should be adjusted for optimum cutting performance without excessive mud build-up
inside the header that can lead to poor crop
fl ow and increased wear on cutting components. Choose an angle that
maximizes performance for your crop and fi eld conditions. Refer to
4.6 Header Angle, page 85
.
Optional adjustable skid shoes are also available to provide different cutting heights. Refer to:
•
6.1 Options and Attachments: Kits, page 149
•
4.7.1 Adjusting the Skid Shoe Height, page 86
Lowering the skid shoes or decreasing header angle increases the cutting height. This may reduce damage to
cutting components in stony conditions. Also, a longer stubble length helps material dry faster.
Raising the skid shoes and increasing header angle allows the crop to be cut lower.
To minimize damage to cutterbar components, scooping soil, or soil build-up at the cutterbar in damp conditions, set
header
fl oat as light as possible without excessive bouncing.
A light fl oat setting may require reduced ground speeds to avoid excess bouncing and a ragged cut.
4.7.1 Adjusting the Skid Shoe Height
DANGER
To avoid bodily injury or death from unexpected start-up or fall of raised machine: stop engine, remove
key, and engage header safety props before going under machine for any reason.
1. Raise header fully.
2. Stop the engine and remove the key.
3. Engage header safety props. Refer to
3.3
Engaging/Disengaging the Header Safety Props, page
26
.
4. Remove bolts (A).
5. Raise or lower skid shoe (B).
6. Reinstall bolts (A).
7. Repeat for skid shoe at opposite end of header.
8. Check header fl oat as described in
4.1 Header Float,
page 73
.
9. Adjust header angle to desired working position using
the machine's header angle controls. If angle is not
critical, set it to mid-position. Refer to
4.6 Header
Angle, page 85
.
Figure 4.16: Skid Shoe
147757
86
Revision B