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7.2 Cutting Action and Knife Components
Use the following tables to determine the cause of the cutting action and knife component problems and the
recommended repair procedure.
Problem Solution Refer to
Symptom: Ragged or Uneven Cutting of Crop
Knife hold-downs not adjusted
properly
Adjust hold-downs
Checking and Adjusting Knife Hold-
Downs, page 148
Knife sections or guards are worn
or broken
Replace all worn and broken
cutting parts
5.5 Cutterbar, page 138
Knife is not operating at
recommended speed
Check engine speed of windrower
Refer to your windrower operator’s
manual
Ground speed too fast for reel speed
Reduce ground speed or increase reel
speed
• 3.7.7 Ground Speed, page 58
• 3.7.6 Reel Speed, page 58
Reel fingers not lifting crop properly
ahead of knife
Adjust reel position / finger pitch
• 3.7.11 Reel Fore-Aft Position, page
61
• 3.7.12 Reel Tine Pitch, page 68
Cutterbar too high Lower cutting height 3.7.1 Cutting Height, page 52
Header angle too flat Steepen header angle Controlling Header Angle, page 57
Bent knife, causing binding of cutting
parts
Straighten a bent knife and
align guards
5.5.7 Knife Guards, page 142
Cutting edge of guards not close
enough, or parallel to knife sections
Align guards 5.5.7 Knife Guards, page 142
Tangled / tough to cut crop
Install stub guards
• 5.5.7 Knife Guards, page 142
• 6.2.3 Stub Guard Conversion Kit,
page 247
• See your MacDon Dealer
Reel too far back Move reel forward
3.7.11 Reel Fore-Aft Position, page 61
Loose knife drive belt
Adjust knife drive belt tension
• Tensioning Untimed Knife Drive
Belts, page 165
• Tensioning Timed Knife Drive
Belts, page 170
Symptom: Knife Plugging
Reel too high or too far forward
Lower reel or move reel rearward
• 3.7.10 Reel Height, page 60
• 3.7.11 Reel Fore-Aft Position, page
61
Ground speed too slow Increase ground speed 3.7.6 Reel Speed, page 58
Loose knife drive belt
Adjust drive belt tension
• Tensioning Untimed Knife Drive
Belts, page 165
• Tensioning Timed Knife Drive
Belts, page 170
Improper knife hold-down adjustment Adjust hold-down
Checking and Adjusting Knife Hold-
Downs, page 148
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