MacDon FD70 for Combine Operators - Manual (Page 107)

SECTION 9. OPERATION
Form 169006
105
Revision D
9.11.11 Reel Tine Pitch
IMPORTANT
The following describes the concept
and operational guidelines of the
pickup reel. Please read carefully
before operating the machine.
9.11.11.1 Concept
The pickup reel is designed to pick up flattened
and severely lodged crops.
It is not always necessary to increase the tine
pitch (higher cam setting) to pick up crops that
are lodged, but rather, the cam settings are
mainly used to determine how the crop will get
delivered to the drapers.
The position of the fingers relative to ground (tine
pitch) is not significantly affected by the cam
setting. For example, the cam position range is
33 degrees, but the corresponding finger pitch
range is only 5 degrees at the lowest point of reel
rotation.
For best performance, use the minimum cam
setting that will deliver the crop past the rear edge
of the cutterbar and onto the drapers.
9.11.11.2 Operating Guidelines
The following outlines the function of each cam
setting and includes guidelines for set-up in
various crop conditions. The setting numbers are
visible above the slots on the cam disc. Refer to
Section 9.11.11.3 Cam Adjustment.
 Cam Position 1: Delivers the most even
crop flow onto the drapers without fluffing up
or disturbing the material. The crop is
released quite close to the cutterbar, and
works best with the cutterbar on the ground.
Some crops will not be delivered past the
cutterbar when the cutterbar is raised off the
ground, and the reel is pushed forward.
Initially, have the reel speed set about equal
to the ground speed.
 Cam Position 2: Recommended starting
position for most crops and conditions. This
setting gives a finger tip speed approximately
20% faster than the reel speed.
 If crops tend to stall on the cutterbar with
the reel in a forward position, the cam
setting should be increased to push the
crop past the rear edge of the cutterbar.
 If the crop is getting fluffed or the flow
across the drapers is disrupted, the cam
setting should be decreased.
 Cam Positions 3 and 4: Mainly used to
leave long stubble. Allows the reel to reach
forward and lift the crop across the knife and
onto the drapers. The further forward the
reel, the higher the cam setting should be.
 Cam Position 4 would be used with the reel
being fully forward to leave maximum amount
of stubble in lodged crops. This setting gives
a finger tip speed approximately 30% faster
than the reel speed.
 Cam Position 4, Header Angle At
Maximum, and Reel Fully Forward
provides maximum amount of reel reach
below cutterbar to pick up lodged crops, and
gives a finger tip speed approximately 35%
faster than the reel speed.
Cutting height is set to approximately 8 inches
(203 mm) to leave a significant amount of
stubble. In damp materials such as rice, it is
possible to double ground speed because the
amount of material that is being cut is less.
NOTE
High cam settings with the reel fore-aft
position at 4 - 5, severely decrease the
draper capacity because the reel
disrupts crop flow across the drapers.
The fingers are still engaged in the crop
that is moving on the drapers.
High cam settings are recommended
only with the reel at or close to full
forward settings.
IMPORTANT
The reel to cutterbar clearance should
always be checked following
adjustments to reel tine pitch and reel
fore-aft position.
Refer to Section 10.14.1 (D50, D60)
and 10.14.2 (FD70) Reel Clearance to
Cutterbar.
For detailed reel set-up information, refer to
Section 9.11 HEADER SET-UP.