Troubleshooting
There are a number of factors that can contribute to
unsatisfactory quality of cut, some of which may be turf
conditions. Turf conditions such as excessive thatch,
“sponginess” or attempting to cut off too much of the
grass height may not always be overcome by adjusting
Factors That Can Affect Quality of Cut
the machine. It is important to remember that the lower
the height of cut, the more critical these factors are. See
the Adjustments and Repairs sections for detailed ad-
justment and repair information.
Factor Possible Problem/Correction
1. Engine maximum governed
speed. Check maximum governed engine speed. Adjust to
specification if necessary. If engine is not running at
specified maximum governed RPM, reel speed set-
tings
may not match ground speed.
2. Reel speed and ground speed. Adjust reel speed to settings shown on REEL SPEED
SETTINGS graph for number of reel blades (5 or 8)
and desired ground speed (see Operator’s Manual).
All reels must rotat
e at same speed (within 150 RPM).
All cutting units must have equal bedknife to reel con-
tact and reel bearing adjustment before checking. Do
not run the reel too long or it may get hot and “rifle”
when no grass is being cut.
See Troubleshooting in Chapter
4 - Hydraulic System.
3. Cutting unit down pressure adjustment. Down pressure spring on each cutting unit lift arm can
be adjusted to compensate for different turf conditions.
Increased down pressure will help keep the cutting
units on the ground when mowing at higher speeds
and helps maintain a uniform height of cut in rough
conditions or in areas of thatch build up.
Make sure all springs have the same down pressure
a
djustment.
NOTE: Increased down pressure may lower the actual
or “effective” height of cut.
4. Tire pressure. Check tire pressure. Adjust to specification if neces-
sary. Must be equal in t
wo front tires and two rear tires.
5. Reel bearing condition/adjustm
ent. Check and adjust to specification. Replace bearings if
worn or damaged. Bearing cones must be installed
square to bearing housing - make sure there is no
“flash”, paint or other foreign material
in housing before
installing new bearing cone.
6. Reel and bedknife sharpness. Reel and/or bedknife that has rounded cutting edges
or “rifling” cannot be
corrected by tightening bedknife
to reel contact. Grind reel to remove taper (cone
shape) and/or rifling (grooved or ribbed appearance).
Grind bedknife to sharpen and/or remove rifling. (Most
common cause of riflin
g is bedknife to reel contact that
is too tight.) NOTE: New bedknife must be ground after
installing on bedbar to match bedknife to bedbar.
Reelmaster
®
223-D/5100-D/5300-D Page 8 - 5 Troubleshooting
To Next Page
Loading...
