LF 3400 reels not spinning full speed all of the time Cancel The title field is required!

1. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   6/20/2013 10:06 AM

   has anyone had reel speed issues with their lf3400?
   We have a 14 year old unit that has started having reel speed issues. When you turn them on when cutting they come on and run full speed only to drop down to partial speed after you get going. they seem to speed up and slow down as you go. sometimes they will shut all of the way off but will come back on when you raise them and lower them again.

   
   
   
   
2. Kenneth Meals

   

   2 posts
   
   6/20/2013 10:06 AM

   Is it all the cutting unit, some (front or back) or just one? One reel it may be a spun coupler if it has the nylon couplers. Check the proximity switches to make sure they are engaging all of the time. Jac's will develop some play in the arms causing a lot of movement not allowing the switches to stay active, switching the reels on and off.

   
   
   
   
3. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   6/21/2013 5:06 AM

   It could be the relief cartridge on top of the hydro. If its one section of reel, wings or rear and middle unit you can switch them around and see if the the problem follows. It could be both, so maybe try a set from a good working unit. It could be your pump, again, if its one section of the cutting units, you should be able to switch pump sections that supply those particular reels and the problem should follow.
   
   If it's all of them, try flushing your system if it hasn't been serviced in awhile, and change your hydraulic filters and fluid. If your running a jac greens-care product, you may want to try the 10w-30 or if your in a warmer region you can even go to a 15-40. If the unit preforms well with a thicker oil you will know you have wear in your system. 14 years, I'm guessing it's about time for something to need replacing.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
4. Chris Wiedenmeyer

   

   0 posts
   
   6/21/2013 8:06 AM

   Sounds like it could be one of the solenoids that engages the reels. Again it will depend if it is one reel or a series of them. We replaced one a few years back same issues, same age of machine. Still running today with 4600 hours. These are located on the right side of the machine about half way back. Your service rep could tell you the testing procedure, as I do not exactly remember what it was exactly. Hope this helps.

   
   
   
   
5. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   6/26/2013 12:06 PM

   Chris Wiedenmeyer said: Sounds like it could be one of the solenoids that engages the reels. Again it will depend if it is one reel or a series of them. We replaced one a few years back same issues, same age of machine. Still running today with 4600 hours. These are located on the right side of the machine about half way back. Your service rep could tell you the testing procedure, as I do not exactly remember what it was exactly. Hope this helps.

   
   This was my second thought right behind checking the hyd oil and filter.
   
   Turns out my last mechanic had the operators keeping the oil level on the low end of the stick. we changed the filter and put the oil to the top marker on the stick and it works great.
   
   The bad thing about a new mechanic seems to be that everything that breaks is major until we start checking the minor possibilities first.
   
   He will learn and it gives me a chance to refresh myself on the mechanical side of the business again.