
John Deere Air Reel Owner’s Manual
60
OPERATION
5.5 iNiTiAL ADJUSTMENTS
Since all applications of the Air Reel are not the same,
based on header and combine variations, some initial ad-
justments must be made to achieve peak performance of
your Air Reel.
5.5.1 iNiTiAL ADJUSTMENT
Place header on a level surface.
Pull reel back as close as possible to auger while
maintaining clearance between auger flighting and
bat tubes.
Install aft stop.
Adjust reel tines perpendicular to sickle sections.
Adjust reel height to achieve reel tine to sickle clear-
ance of 1” minimum for rigid operation.
Adjust reel height to achieve reel tine to sickle clear-
ance of 1” minimum with sickle at maximum up flex
for flex operation.
Set cylinder stops at this position.
Move reel ahead until fingers contact ground sur-
face.
Install stop on reel arm to prevent further travel.
Move reel aft against stop.
Adjust the air tube position to point at the back of the
sickle bar.
Loosen tilt actuator clamp and adjust so the actuator
is in middle of stroke (approx. 2” of actuator shaft ex
-
posed) with tube nozzles pointed at sickle bar.
14. Retighten clamp.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
5.5.2 REEL ADJUSTMENT
Rest the header on the ground and lower the reel so
the reel tines clear the cutterbar by at least 1 inch.
Position the reel so that the reel tines sweep over the
cutter bar and begin their lift just behind it.
Rotate the manifold so the line of sight along the air
tubes is directed just behind the cutterbar (Figure
78).
1.
2.
3.
Figure 78, Initial reel adjustment
WARNiNG
Place all controls in neutral or off, stop combine engine,
set parking brake, remove ignition key, set cylinder
stops, wait for all moving parts to stop, then properly
block machine before servicing, adjusting, repairing or
unplugging.
iMPORTANT
Do not operate machine with tines contacting the
ground.
NOTE
Use the electric actuators to adjust air flow direction and
air volume.
Turn adjustable air tubes at each end approximately
45° - 90° so they direct air into the corners of the
header.
Open fan butterfly to fully open position.
4.
5.