Adjustments; Height Of Cut; Reel To Bed Knife Adjustment; Reel End Play Adjustment - National Mower Triplex-CE DL Owner's Manual

ADJUSTMENTS

To ensure safety, all of the following adjust-
ments must be made only after the engine
clutch lever has been disengaged and the
ignition key and spark plug wire have been
removed.

HEIGHT OF CUT

The height of cut is variable and may be adjusted on
both wing mowers and the rear mower by loosening the
top and bottom Adjusting Nuts (1, Fig. I) which hold Roller
Adjusters (2, Fig. I) in Roller Brackets (3, Fig. I). Roller (4,
Fig. I) may then be moved up and down.
It is important to get all rollers adjusted to the same
height so that there will be uniform cutting across the
NOTE
Guards removed or cut
away to show detail
FIGURE I
16
entire width of the mower. Do not adjust by sight. Place the
mower on a hard, level surface. Loosen the Adjusting
Nuts (1, Fig. I) on each side of reel assemblies and place
a board or gauge plate of the desired height under each
bed knife back bar. Tighten bolts securely.

REEL TO BED KNIFE ADJUSTMENT

The reel is adjusted to a fixed position bed knife. This
construction allows a more rugged and durable frame and
retains the proper adjustment longer. The Reel Adjuster
Bolt (5, Fig. I) regulates reel distance from the bed knife.
To reduce the distance, turn the upper hex adjuster nut
on each side of the reel down. Proceed slowly and do not
overadjust—use about 1/8 of a turn on each side at first.
Do not adjust one side more than the other unless the reel
is obviously out of alignment. Do not get the reel so tight
that it is hard to turn by hand. A too tight reel will wear much
faster. Ideally, the reel should "wipe" or lightly touch the
bed knife. It is not necessary to adjust or change the
position of the lower adjustment nut.
Proper cutting action may be tested by holding paper
strips between the reel and the bed knife. Turn the reel by
hand and check to see if the assembly cuts the paper all
the way across the width of the bed knife. Make sure that
the adjusting and the locking nuts on both side are
tightened securely.
Handle reel assemblies carefully with
protective gloves.
Reels rotate freely and are very sharp.
Special care should be taken in the area
where the reel contacts the bed knife.

REEL END PLAY ADJUSTMENT

With extended use, normal wear of the reel bearings
will cause end play. This condition could cause uneven
wear to mower parts and uneven cutting of turf.
Test for end play periodically by trying to move the reel
from side to side in the frame. If there is ANY movement,
adjust the bearings by loosening the lock nut on the
adjustment bolt (6, Fig. I) which is located on the inside
right end of the reels, and turning the adjustment bolt IN
one half turn or less. Do not overtighten. An overtightened
bearing will cause excessive bearing wear. Test again for
end play and if reel is rotating freely and end play is not
noticeable, tighten the lock nut.
68OMCE-10/01-350