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8.2
Cutting Action and Knife Components
Symptom
Problem
Solution
Refer to
Knife hold-downs not
properly adjusted
Adjust hold-downs
Checking Knife
Hold-Downs, page 125
Knife sections or guards
are worn or broken
Replace all worn and
broken cutting parts
Checking Knife
Hold-Downs, page 125
Knife is not operating at
recommended speed
Check engine speed of
windrower
Refer to the windrower
operator’s manual
Ground speed too fast for
reel speed
Reduce ground speed or
increase reel speed
•
•
Reel
fi
ngers not properly
lifting crop ahead of knife
Adjust reel position and/or
fi
nger pitch
•
•
3.7.10 Reel Tine Pitch,
page 55
Cutterbar too high
Lower cutting height
Header angle too
fl
at
Steepen header angle
Bent knife causing binding
of cutting parts
Straighten bent knife, and
align guards
Cutting edge of guards not
close enough or parallel to
knife sections
Align guards
Tangled crop tough to cut
Install stub guards
•
•
• See
your
MacDon
Dealer
Reel too far back
Move reel forward
3.7.9 Reel Fore-Aft
Position, page 54
Ragged or uneven
cutting of crop
Loose knife drive belt
Adjust drive belt tension
•
•
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Revision A