John Deere Cutting Units Cancel The title field is required!

1. Christopher Boldreghini

   

   0 posts
   
   8/28/2014 4:08 AM

   We are in the process of switching from red to green cutting units. Our mechanic is having a hard time understanding the "no contact" approach to the green units. I could use some help explaining the purpose and correct way for him to set these units in.
   
   Thanks,
   Charlie B.

   
   
   
   
2. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   8/28/2014 6:08 AM

   The no contact method applies to any unit, and depends on who you ask. Everyone has their own way of setting. I have run deere off and on since 05, and right now 100% of our mowing fleet is Deere. We use the .001 feeler gauge Deere offers and will adjust to where it is snug between the reel and knife, then spin slow and no contact, then a faster spin and you will just a light whisper of contact. Really you can set however they will work for you. I teach my staff to set them where they sound like a worn pair of scissors. 11 and 14 blade we do not grind relief, all larger/thick reels get a relief grind. We re-grind relief when its to about the 50% mark. Very little contact is the best, just a light whisper like a wornout pair of scissors. That is the way we set ours, and I've run a full fleet of Deere in cool season for 2.5 years, and in warm season for 2 years, setting them the same with great results. Heavy contact will always kill a cutting unit, and even faster when it's dry cut.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
3. Stephen Tucker

   

   0 posts
   
   8/28/2014 7:08 AM

   Along with what Skip has stated running contact on reels puts drag on the engine, hydraulics, etc. This drag causes the machine to be less efficient. Uses more fuel, runs hotter, etc. Depending on the amount of contact between the reel and bedknife this can also cause heat which causes metal to expand. That expansion can tighten the reels even further.
   
   Also running contact on reels creates more work for yourself. Not only will you need to grind more often you will also have more failures on bearings and reel components because they have to work harder. The analogy I use is that in the early days gang mowers were pulled by a horse. If you run the reels tight you need more horses to pull the unit. Those horses will get tired faster, walk slower and need to drink more water. It's the same thing with the units of today. Hope this helps.