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

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.

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National Mower DL 68, SR 68 owner manual Adjustments, Height of CUT, Reel to BED Knife Adjustment, Reel END Play Adjustment