Guards; Excessive Breakage; Sickle Hold-Downs - MacDon 3020 Operator's Manual

SICKLE AND SICKLE DRIVE (continued)

Guards

CAUTION: Always lower reel props
before working under reel.
Check daily that guards are aligned to obtain
proper shear cut between sickle section and
guard. Sickle sections should contact shear
surface of each guard.
A guard straightening tool is available from your
Dealer Parts Department. To bend guard tips up,
position the tool as shown at (A) and pull up. To
bend tips down, position tool as at (B) and push
down.
TIP: If trouble is encountered cutting tangled, but
easy to cut material (canola, peas, grain) replace
guards with stub guards and install a sickle hold-
down on every guard. If material is tough to cut,
install stub guards with top guard and adjuster
plate. See your dealer for details.

Excessive Breakage

Excessive breakage of sickle sections and guards
is an indication that the header flotation is set too
heavy. See "Header Flotation" in this section.

Sickle Hold-Downs

CAUTION: Always engage reel props
before working under reel.
Check daily that sickle hold-downs are set to
prevent sickle sections from lifting off guards but
still permit sickle to slide without binding. Set hold-
downs after guards are aligned.
To adjust hold-downs:
1. Using a feeler gauge between hold-down
and sickle section, turn bolt (A) to obtain
0.020 inch (0.5 mm) clearance.
2. After adjusting hold-downs, run header at a low
engine speed and listen for noise due to
insufficient clearance. Re-adjust as necessary.
Form # 147021
MAINTENANCE/SERVICE
50
BENDING GUARD TIPS UP
BENDING GUARD TIPS DOWN
SETTING SICKLE HOLD-DOWNS
A
B
Issue 05/05