Hay Conditioner; Roll Gap - MacDon A30-S Operator's Manual

6.17.11 Hay Conditioner

Steel rolls "condition" the crop by crimping and
crushing the stem in several places. This allows
moisture release for quicker drying. The degree
to which the crop is conditioned as it passes
through the rolls is controlled by roll gap. See
illustration. The gap is factory set at 1/4 inch (6
mm).
Correct conditioning of alfalfa, clover and other
legumes is usually indicated when 90% of the
stems show cracking, but no more than 5% of
the leaves are damaged. Use only enough roll
gap to achieve this result.

ROLL GAP

A larger gap (up to 1 inch [25 mm]) may be
desirable in thick stemmed cane-type crops;
however, too large a gap may cause feeding
problems.
Grass type crops may require less gap for
proper feeding and conditioning.
6.17.11.1 Roll Gap
Adjust the roll gap as follows:
A
B
C
SELF-PROPELLED
a. Lower header fully.
b. Loosen and back-off upper jam-nut (A), both
sides of conditioner.
c. To increase roll gap, turn lower nut (B) to raise
link and increase the gauge (C) setting.
Form # 169000
OPERATION
CROP
0
1
2
B
3
4
A
5
6
7
8
C
9
10
PULL-TYPE
Each division on the roll gap decal
represents a change of approximately 1/8
inch (3mm) in roll gap. The factory setting
of 1/4 inch (6 mm) roll gap is mark 1 on
the decal (C).
When adjusting roll gap, be sure that the
decal reading is the same on both sides of
the conditioner roll to achieve consistent
intermesh across the rolls.
d. To decrease roll gap, turn lower nut (B) to lower
link and decrease the gauge (C) setting.
e. Tighten jam-nuts (A), both sides.
F
f. Loosen bolt (D) and rotate cover (E) to expose
access port (F).
g. Inspect space between roll bars at both ends of
the rolls at access port (F).
Roll timing and alignment are critical when
the roll gap is decreased because:
conditioning is affected, and
•
the bars may contact each other.
•
h. Check roll timing and alignment when reducing
roll gap. Refer to Section 6.17.11.2, Roll Timing
and Alignment.
i. Close cover (E) and tighten bolt (D).
72
NOTE
NOTE
E
D
IMPORTANT
Model Year - 2009