Reel shaft cap

Fig. 4-16

Reel blade shaft bolt head

Fig. 4-17

reel to bedknife clearance so the bedknife is parallel and just touching the reel. In very small increments, back the bedknife off EVENLY on both sides (.001” -

.002”)(.03mm - .05mm) so it has minimal clearance from the reel and is not making contact. Insert a piece of newspaper between the rotary blades of the reel and the bedknife. Turn the reel with the blade rotating tool in the cutting direction to cut the newspaper and test the cut quality. The newspaper should be cut cleanly without pinching or tearing. Note the cut quality to determine the need for clearance adjustment and required backlapping. NOTE: Test the cut quality for each blade of the reel.

7.Start the backlapping machine. The reel should begin rotating in the backlapping direction

WARNING: Be sure to stay clear of the cutting unit and use extreme caution around rotating reels!

8.Be sure to have a qualified mechanic show you how to do this for the first time before you attempt this on your own. Using a minimum 16" (40.64cm) long handled brush, apply backlapping compound to the reel starting at one end and working toward the other. Never use a short handled brush. Fig. 4-18

9.Once you have completed the initial backlapping of the reel, the reel to bedknife clearance may need to be adjusted. Turn the backlapping machine off, be sure all moving parts come to a rest, and reset the reel to bedknife clearance. Once you have reset the reel to bedknife clearance, repeat steps 8 and 10.

10.Repeat steps 8 thru 11 until you have achieved the desired results and the reel/bedknife are uniformly backlapped across the full width of the reel. You will hear that the reel is making contact all the way across by the sound when you move the brush across the spinning reel when applying the compound.

11.Once the cutting unit has been backlapped, the cutting unit, reel, and bedknife must be completely cleaned and all lapping compound removed. Do not allow the cutting unit to be operated in the cutting direction until they are completely clean and free of lapping compound.

12.With the backlapping machine running in the backlapping direction at low idle, use a water hose to remove all lapping compound on the reel, bedknife and cutting unit assembly components.

IMPORTANT: Do not use high pressure washer when removing lapping compound.

WARNING: Be sure to stay clear of the cutting unit and use extreme caution around the rotating reel!

13.After the unit is completely clean, turn off the backlapping machine.

14.Re-adjust and/or check the reel to bedknife clearance to determine that the reel is cutting properly.

15.Remove the backlapping machine and reinstall the reel shaft cap.

Reel

Brush

Bedknife

Fig. 4-18

111132_0409

4-7